Key sources Sources for the historicity of Jesus

a page 1466 copy of antiquities of jews

the writings of 1st century romano-jewish historian flavius josephus include references jesus , origins of christianity. josephus antiquities of jews, written around 93–94 ce, includes 2 references jesus in books 18 , 20.

of 2 passages, james passage in book 20 used scholars support existence of jesus, testimonium flavianum in book 18 crucifixion. josephus james passage attests existence of jesus historical person , of contemporaries considered him messiah. according bart ehrman, josephus passage jesus altered christian scribe, including reference jesus messiah.

a textual argument against authenticity of james passage use of term christos there seems unusual josephus. argument based on flow of text in document that, given mention of jesus appears in antiquities before of john baptist, christian interpolator may have inserted place jesus in text before john. further argument against authenticity of james passage have read without reference jesus.

the passage deals death of james brother of jesus in jerusalem. whereas works of josephus refer @ least twenty different people name jesus, passage specifies jesus 1 called christ . louis feldman states passage, above others, indicates josephus did jesus.

modern scholarship has universally acknowledged authenticity of reference in book 20, chapter 9, 1 of antiquities brother of jesus, called christ, name james , , considers having highest level of authenticity among references of josephus christianity.

the testimonium flavianum (meaning testimony of flavius [josephus]) name given passage found in book 18, chapter 3, 3 of antiquities in josephus describes condemnation , crucifixion of jesus @ hands of roman authorities. scholars have differing opinions on total or partial authenticity of reference in passage execution of jesus pontius pilate. general scholarly view while testimonium flavianum not authentic in entirety, broadly agreed upon consisted of authentic nucleus reference execution of jesus pilate subject christian interpolation. although exact nature , extent of christian redaction remains unclear, there broad consensus original text of testimonium josephus have looked like.

the references found in antiquities have no parallel texts in other work josephus such jewish war, written twenty years earlier, scholars have provided explanations absence, such antiquities covers longer time period , during twenty-year gap between writing of jewish wars (c. 70 ce) , antiquities (after 90 ce) christians had become more important in rome , hence given attention in antiquities.

a number of variations exist between statements josephus regarding deaths of james , new testament accounts. scholars view these variations indications josephus passages not interpolations, because christian interpolator more have made them correspond christian traditions. robert eisenman provides numerous christian sources confirm josephus testament, james brother of jesus.

tacitus


the title page of 1598 edition of works of tacitus, kept in empoli, italy.

the roman historian , senator tacitus referred christ, execution pontius pilate , existence of christians in rome in final work, annals (written ca. ce 116), book 15, chapter 44. relevant passage reads: called christians populace. christus, whom name had origin, suffered extreme penalty during reign of tiberius @ hands of 1 of our procurators, pontius pilatus.

scholars consider tacitus s reference execution of jesus pontius pilate both authentic, , of historical value independent roman source christianity in unison other historical records. william l. portier has stated consistency in references tacitus, josephus , letters emperor trajan pliny younger reaffirm validity of 3 accounts.

tacitus patriotic roman senator , writings shows no sympathy towards christians. andreas köstenberger , separately robert e. van voorst state tone of passage towards christians far negative have been authored christian scribe - conclusion shared john p. meier robert e. van voorst states of roman writers, tacitus gives precise information christ .

john dominic crossan considers passage important in establishing jesus existed , crucified, , states: crucified sure historical can ever be, since both josephus , tacitus... agree christian accounts on @ least basic fact. bart d. ehrman states: tacitus s report confirms know other sources, jesus executed order of roman governor of judea, pontius pilate, sometime during tiberius s reign. eddy , boyd state firmly established tacitus provides non-christian confirmation of crucifixion of jesus.

although majority of scholars consider genuine, few scholars question authenticity of passage given tacitus born 25 years after jesus death.

some scholars have debated historical value of passage given tacitus not reveal source of information. gerd theissen , annette merz argue tacitus @ times had drawn on earlier historical works lost us, , may have used official sources roman archive in case; however, if tacitus had been copying official source, scholars expect him have labeled pilate correctly prefect rather procurator. theissen , merz state tacitus gives description of widespread prejudices christianity , few precise details christus , christianity, source of remains unclear. however, paul r. eddy has stated given position senator tacitus have had access official roman documents of time , did not need other sources.

michael martin notes authenticity of passage of annals has been disputed on grounds tacitus not have used word “messiah” in authentic roman document.

weaver notes tacitus spoke of persecution of christians, no other christian author wrote of persecution hundred years.

hotema notes passage not quoted church father 15th century, although passage have been useful them in work; , passage refers christians in rome being multitude, while @ time christian congregation in rome have been small.

richard carrier has put forward ideas christ, author of name, executed procurator pontius pilate in reign of tiberius line christian interpolation , tacitus wrote chrestians not christians.

scholars have debated issue of hearsay in reference tacitus. charles guignebert argued long there possibility [that tacitus merely echoing christians saying], passage remains quite worthless . r. t. france states tacitus passage @ best tacitus repeating had heard through christians. however, paul r. eddy has stated rome s preeminent historian, tacitus known checking sources , not in habit of reporting gossip. tacitus member of quindecimviri sacris faciundis, council of priests duty supervise foreign religious cults in rome, van voorst points out, makes reasonable suppose have acquired knowledge of christian origins through work body.