Evidence for the existence of Jesus

The existence of Christ. This is something that goes a little off “topic” when in view of the purpose of this site. However, seeing that Jesus is carelessly thrown into the same category as other mythological religious characters who never existed, it seems appropriate to take the time to set some things straight.

Many in our world today have come to conclude that Jesus was nothing more than a metaphor, serving as a symbol of love, peace and compassion. The Christ consciousness which apparently dwells within all of us. Others religiously follow the Zeitgeist movement which believes Jesus to be a mythological figure, a metaphor for the sun.  The goal of this post is to display to the reader the evidence which stands in support of the existence of a PHYSICAL and NON-METAPHORICAL being who went by the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

1) Cornelius Tacticus was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. He was viewed as one of the more accurate historians of the ancient world. Tacticus, in his final work called the Annals spoke about a man named Christ and his execution under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. He also talked about a suffering group who people called Christians.

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A copy of the second Medicean manuscript 

of Annals,book 15 chapter 44

Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. The Annals, 15:44

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2) Flavius Josephus is one of the most famous Jewish historians to have ever lived. He is also the author of what is called the Antiquities of the Jews which was written around 93–94 AD. In book 18 chapter 3 of his work, he talks about a man named Jesus who was the Christ. He also speaks to his crucifixion on the cross as well as his gathering of both Jews and Gentiles:

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A leaf from the 1466 manuscript 

of the Antiquitates Iudaice

3. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. The antiquities of the Jews, book 18 chapter 3 

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3) The Babylonian Talmud. This work is basically a collection of Jewish writings. It is the basis for all Jewish rites and laws. Seeing that the Talmud speaks in opposition to Christ, insomuch as attacking him with insults and falsehood, it would be very likely for its content to leave out or deny the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet what we read is that it still points to and speaks about the event in Sanhedrin 43.a. This text stands in support for the existence of Christ.

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On the eve of Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, "He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Any one who can say anything in his favour, let him come forward and plead on his behalf." But since nothing was brought forward in his favour he was hanged on the eve of the Passover! - Ulla retorted: Do you suppose that he was one for whom a defence could be made? Was he not a _Mesith_ [enticer], concerning him Scripture says, _Neither shalt though spare, neither shalt thou conceal him?_ With Yeshu however it was different, for he was connected with the government for royalty [i.e., influential]. Our Rabbis taught: Yeshu had five disciples, Matthai, Nakai, Nezer, Buni, and Todah. Sanhedrin 43.a

The Babylonian Talmud

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