1. Cornelius Tacitus (56-120 AD) has been called the greatest historian on ancient Rome. He lived during the reign of several Roman emperors and was a Roman historian and a governor of Asia [Turkey] in AD 112. He wrote two major works: Annals and the Histories.
The following is a quote from the Annals:
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. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. – Annals 15.44
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Christ lived during the reign of Tiberius (AD 14-37).
2) Pontius Pilate put him to death.
3) The word “superstition” suggests a religion.
4) Christ had followers who were named Christians.
5) The Christians suffered under Nero and they were hated by others.
2. Pontius Pilate: (1 BC – circa AD 37) Pilate’s biographical details are unclear and some Biblical scholars believed that he was a mythical character until in 1961 an inscription with his name was found, known as the Pilate Stone, confirming his historicity as a Prefect. Pilate was the fifth Roman procurator of Judea (AD 26 – 36 ) under Emperor Tiberius, who sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. The quotes below refer to the Acts of Pontius Pilate. Documents are lost but were quoted by Justin Martyr in his defense in Rome before the Emperor Pius. Martyr would be unlikely to quote from a non-existent document, or to misquote an existing one while defending his life. The existence of the Acts of Pontius Pilate is strongly supported by Epiphanius (Heresies 50.1), Justin Martyr (First Apology, A.D. 150) and Tertullian (Apology, A.D. 200).
The Acts of Pontius Pilate were kept in the Roman archives as stated in the following quote.
“The ancient Romans were scrupulously careful to preserve the memory of all remarkable events which happened in the city; and this was done either in their “Acts of the Senate” (Acts Senatus), or in the “Daily Acts of the People” (Acta Diurna Populi), which were diligently made and kept at Rome . . . In like manner it was customary for the governors of provinces to send to the emperor an account of remarkable transactions that occurred in the places where they resided, which were preserved in the “Acts of” their respective governments . . . we find, long before the time of Eusebius [3rd century], that the primitive Christians, in their disputes with the Gentiles, appealed to these “Acts of Pilate” . . . Thus, Justin Martyr, in his first “Apology” for the Christians, which was presented to the Emperor Antoninus Pius [A.D. 138-161] and the senate of Rome, about the year [A.D.] 140, having mentioned the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and some of its attendant circumstances, adds, “And these things were done, you may know from the ‘Acts’ made in the time of Pontius Pilate.” [1]
It should be noted that some believe a fraudulent version of the Acts of Pilate was circulated later in the fourth and fifth centuries. This should not be confused with the original document that was generated in the first century, archived in Rome and was available to Caesar Antoninus Pius and the Roman Senate. Otherwise, Justin Martyr’s appeal to the Acts of Pilate in his First Apology would have lacked credibility.
Quote from Justin Martyr:
And again in other words, through another prophet, He says, “They pierced My hands and My feet, and for My vesture they cast lots.” And indeed David, the king and prophet, who uttered these things, suffered none of them; but Jesus Christ stretched forth His hands, being crucified by the Jews speaking against Him, and denying that He was the Christ. And as the prophet spoke, they tormented Him, and set Him on the judgment-seat, and said, Judge us. And the expression, “They pierced my hands and my feet,” was used in reference to the nails of the cross which were fixed in His hands and feet. And after He was crucified they cast lots upon His vesture, and they that crucified Him parted it among them. And that these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. – Justin Martyr, First Apology 35
And that it was predicted that our Christ should heal all diseases and raise the dead, hear what was said. There are these words: “At His coming the lame shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the stammerer shall be clear speaking: the blind shall see, and the lepers shall be cleansed; and the dead shall rise, and walk about.” And that He did those things, you can learn from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. – Justin Martyr, First Apology 48
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Christ performed amazing miracles.
2) Christ died on a cross with hands and feet pierced with nails.
3. Flavius Josephus: Josephus, who introduced himself in Greek as “Iosepos (Ιώσηπος), son of Matthias, an ethnic Jew, a priest from Jerusalem”, fought the Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War of 66–73 as a Jewish military leader in Galilee. Prior to this, however, he was sent as a young man in his early twenties for negotiations with Emperor Nero for the release of several Jewish priests. He later returned to Jerusalem and was drafted as a commander of the Galilean forces. After the Jewish garrison of Yodfat fell under siege, the Romans invaded, killing thousands; the survivors committed suicide.
According to Josephus, however, in circumstances that are somewhat unclear, Josephus found himself trapped in a cave with forty of his companions in July 67. The Romans asked him to surrender once they discovered where he was, but his companions refused to allow this. He therefore suggested a method of collective suicide: they drew lots and killed each other, one by one, counting to every third person. The sole survivor of this process was Josephus (this method as a mathematical problem is referred to as the Josephus problem, or Roman Roulette) who then surrendered to the Roman forces and became a prisoner. The Roman forces were led by Flavius Vespasian and his son Titus, both subsequently Roman emperors. In 69, Josephus was released, and according to Josephus’s own account, he appears to have played a role as a negotiator with the defenders during the Siege of Jerusalem in 70.
In 71, he arrived in Rome in the entourage of Titus, becoming a Roman citizen and client of the ruling Flavian dynasty (hence he is often referred to as Flavius Josephus — see below). In addition to Roman citizenship he was granted accommodation in conquered Judaea, and a decent, if not extravagant, pension. It was while in Rome, and under Flavian patronage, that Josephus wrote all of his known works. Although he only ever calls himself “Josephus”, he appears to have taken the Roman prenames Titus and nomen Flavius from his patrons. This was standard practice for “new” Roman citizens.
1. AND now Caesar, upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator. But the king deprived Joseph of the high priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus. Now the report goes that this eldest Ananus proved a most fortunate man; for he had five sons who had all performed the office of a high priest to God, and who had himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which had never happened to any other of our high priests. But this younger Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, (23) who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king [Agrippa], desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent. (24) Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said, and wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done; on which king Agrippa took the high priesthood from him, when he had ruled but three months, and made Jesus, the son of Damneus, high priest.
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, (9) those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; (10) 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.
4. Pliny the Younger
Pliny is known for his hundreds of surviving letters, which are an invaluable historical source for the period. Many are addressed to reigning emperors or to notables such as the historian, Tacitus. Pliny himself was a notable figure, serving as an imperial magistrate under Trajan (reigned AD 98–117). Pliny was considered an honest and moderate man and rose through a series of Imperial civil and military offices, the cursus honorum (see below). He was a friend of the historian Tacitus and employed the biographer Suetonius in his staff.
(AD 61-113), or Pliny the Younger, was the governor of Bithynia (AD 112) and a Roman senator. He wrote to emperor Trajan asking for guidance on how he should treat the Christians in his province.
Reference To Jesus Christ
Christians were “meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ as to a god, and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to do wicked deeds, never commit fraud, theft, adultery, not to lie nor to deny a trust. . . ” – Epistles X96
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Jesus was worshipped as a god.
2) Christians met on a fixed day of the week.
3) The meeting occurred before sunrise.
4) They sang songs to Christ.
5) Christians were committed to holy behavior.
5. Emperor Trajan (AD 53 – 117), Imperator Caesar Divi Nervae Filius Nerva Traianus, was one of the most famous Roman emperors of all time. His reputation as a successful military strategist is demonstrated by his military exploits which expanded the Roman boundaries to the Persian Gulf. The quote below is a reply to Pliny, who had asked for directions in how to treat the Christians.
Reference To Jesus Christ
The method you have used, my dear Pliny, in investigating the cases of those who are accused of being Christians is extremely proper. No search should be made for these people; when they are accused and found to be guilty they must be punished; with the restriction, however, that when the individual denies he is a Christian, and gives proof that he is not (that is, by adoring our gods) he shall be pardoned on the ground of repentance, even though he may have formerly incurred suspicion. Documents without the accuser’s signature must not be admitted in evidence against anyone, since this introduces a very dangerous precedent, and is by no means consistent with the spirit of the age. – Pliny letters X, 97
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Christians were being punished for religious reasons.
2) They could save themselves by worshipping “our gods” – other gods.
3) Christians were being turned in by other citizens.
6. Emperor Hadrian (AD 76-136), was considered a man of culture and the arts. It appears he preferred peace rather than war. The following quote comes from a letter sent to Minucius Fundanus, proconsul of Asia, about how to treat Christians.
Reference To Jesus Christ
I do not wish, therefore, that the matter should be ignored without examination, so that these men may not be harassed, nor an opportunity given for malicious proceedings to be offered to informers. If, therefore, the provincials can clearly show their charges against these Christians, so as to answer before the tribunal, let them pursue this course only, but not just petitions, and mere outcries against Christians. For it is more fitting, if any one brings an accusation, that you should examine it. – Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, IV
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Christians existed during the reign of Hadrian.
2) Christians were in conflict with society.
3) They followed Christ.
7. Gaius Suetonius Tranquilla was a Roman historian (AD 117-138) under Hadrian (AD 76-136). He was also the secretary of state and authored a book entitled Life of Claudius.
Suetonius was a Roman historian belonging to the equestrian order in the early Imperial era. His most important surviving work is a set of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers, from Julius Caesar to Domitian entitled De Vita Caesarum. Other works by Suetonius concern the daily life of Rome, politics, oratory, and the lives of famous writers, including poets, historians, and grammarians. A few of these books have partially survived, but many have been lost.
Reference To Jesus Christ
Because the Jews at Rome caused constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus [Christ], he [Claudius] expelled them from the city [Rome]. – Life of Claudius 25.4
Nero inflicted punishment on the Christians, a class of men given to a new and mischievous religious belief. – Lives of Casesars, Nero, 16
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Christians held to new beliefs.
2) Christians followed Christ.
3) Christians were punished and banished from Rome.
8. Thallus: sometimes spelled Thallos, was a early Samaritan historian who wrote in Koine Greek. Some scholars believe that his his work can be interpreted as the earliest reference to the historical Jesus, written about 20 years after the Crucifixion.
Around the year 55, he wrote a three-volume history of the Mediterranean world from before the Trojan War to circa 50 . Most of his work, like the vast majority of ancient literature, perished, but not before it was preserved by Sextus Julius Africanus in his History of the World.About about A.D. 52 [1] Thallus wrote a history about the Middle East from the time of the Trojan War to the first century A.D. The work has been lost and the only record we have of his writings is through Julius Africanus (AD 221). Below Julius Africanus refers to Christ’s crucifixion and the darkness that covered the earth prior to his death.
Reference To Jesus Christ
“On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the 263 third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the passion of our Savior fails on the day before the passover [see Phlegon]; but an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun. And it cannot happen at any other time but in the interval between the first day of the new moon and the last of the old, that is, at their junction: how then should an eclipse be supposed to happen when the moon is almost diametrically opposite the sun?” – Julius Africanus, Chronography, 18.1
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Darkness covered the earth at Christ’s death.
2) The only question was: “What caused it?”
3) The time of the darkness agrees with Matthew 27:45.
4) An eclipse cannot account for the darkness – this was a miracle.
9. Lucian of Samosata lived A.D. 120-180. He was a satirist who was scornful of Christians. He wrote several books: The Passing Peregrinus and Alexander the False Prophet.
Lucian was an Assyrian rhetorician, and satirist who wrote in the Greek language. He is noted for his witty and scoffing nature.
Reference To Jesus Christ
The Christians. . . worship a man to this day – the distinguished personage who introduced this new cult, and was crucified on that account. . . . You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains their contempt for death and self devotion . . . their lawgiver [taught] they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take on faith . . . – The Passing Peregrinus
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Christians worshipped Jesus.
2) Jesus was crucified for what he taught.
3) Jesus started Christianity.
4) Jesus’ disciples believed Jesus’ teachings.
5) Early Christians taught that when one was converted he or she had eternal life.
6) They lived by faith – they believed Jesus.
10. Phlegon, was a Greek writer and freedman of the emperor Hadrian, who lived in the 2nd century AD.. Born about A.D. 80[1], was a secular historian who lived in the second century. There are two books credited to his name: Chronicles and the Olympiads. Little is known about Phlegon, but he made reference to Christ. The first quote below is unique to Origen. The second quote is recorded by Philopon. The third quote is from Julius Africanus and the last is from Jerome. The reader should note that Phlegon’s comment that an eclipse of the sun occurred during Jesus’ death was impossible (see Thallus) since an eclipse of the sun cannot occur during a full moon since the Jewish Passover occurs during a full moon. Jesus died during a full moon. It is important to read Thallus’ comments to completely understand the issue.
Reference To Jesus Christ
“And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place . . . ” – Origen, “Against Celsus”, Book 2.33
“Phlegon mentioned the eclipse which took place during the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus and no other (eclipse); it is clear that he did not know from his sources about any (similar) eclipse in previous times . . . and this is shown by the historical account of Tiberius Caesar.” – Phiopon, De. opif. mund. II21
“Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Cæsar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth – manifestly that one of which we speak. But what has an eclipse in common with an earthquake, the rending rocks, and the resurrection of the dead, and so great a perturbation throughout the universe? . . . And calculation makes out that the period of 70 weeks, as noted in Daniel, is completed at this time.” – Julius Africanus, Chronography, 18.1
“In the fourth year, however, of Olympiad 202, an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; at the sixth hour, day turned into dark night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea.” – Phlegon’s 13th book quoted in Jerome’s translation of Eusebius’ Chronicle, 202 Olympiad
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Jesus had knowledge of the future.
2) Jesus’ predictions came true.
3) The sun was darkened during Christ’s death.
4) A solar eclipse supposedly occurred during a full moon.
However, this is scientifically impossible.
5) A great earthquake occurred during Christ’s death.
6) The facts were recorded in a historical account of Tiberius.
11. Mara Bar-Serapion was a Syrian about whom we know almost nothing. He wrote about Jesus Christ sometime between A.D. 73 and AD 300 . He left a legacy manuscript to his son Serapion. The letter is now in the possession of the British Museum.
Reference To Jesus Christ
What benefit did the Athenians obtain by putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as judgment for their crime. Or, the people of Samos for burning Pythagoras? In one moment their country was covered with sand. Or the Jews by murdering their wise king?. . . after that their kingdom was abolished. God rightly avenged these men. . . the wise king. . . lived on in the teachings he enacted. – British Museum, Syriac Manuscript, Additional 14,658
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Jesus was regarded as a wise king.
2) Jesus was murdered.
3) Jesus’ teachings lived on.
12. The Talmud (“teaching” or “study”) is a multi-volume compilation containing the Mishnah (oral legal teachings) and Jewish commentary on the Mishnah (Gemara). It is the basis of Jewish religious life. The accepted version was compiled by Rabbis Akiba (died AD 135) and Meir and completed by Rabbi Judah in AD 200.
Reference To Jesus Christ
On the eve of the Passover Yeshu [Jesus] was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, “He is going to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Anyone who can say anything in his favor, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.” But since nothing was brought forward in his favor he was hanged on the eve of the Passover. – Babylonia Sanhedrin 43A
Conclusion
This reference reveals several key things:
1) Jesus performed supernatural feats (miracles and wonders).
2) Jesus was hanged (see Gal 3:13) or crucified.
3) Jesus died on Passover eve or Friday afternoon.
4) No one defended Jesus.
13. Papyri Graecae Magicae: A set of ancient manuscripts commonly referred to as the Papyri Graecae Magicae was purchased in Egypt in A.D. 1827. The authors are unknown. This collection of papyri dates from the second century B.C. to the fifth century A.D. The papyri are excerpts and fragments documenting magical spells, mystical knowledge and occult secrets.
Reference To Jesus Christ
Several magical papyri which have survived from [the days of the apostle Paul] to ours contain attempts to reproduce the true pronunciation of the ineffable name – Iao, Iabe, and so forth – as well as other Jewish expressions and names such as Sabboath and Abraham, used as elements of magic spells. The closest parallel to the Ephesian exorcists’ misuse of the name of Jesus appears in a magical papyrus belonging to the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, which contains the adjuration: “I adjure you by Jesus, the God of the Hebrews.” – F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1988, p. 368.
The use by the Jews of Jesus’ name in an attempt to heal was sternly denounced by some rabbis. – K. Preisendanz. Papyri Graecae Magicae, I (Leipzig, 1928), Pap. Bibl. Nat. Suppl. gr. 574, lines 3018-19; Tos. Hullin 2.22-23; TJ Shabbat 14.4.14d and ‘Adodah Zarah 2.2.40d0d-41a; TB ‘Adodah Zarah 27b. cited in footnote 32 of F.F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1988, p. 368.
Conclusion
The references reveal several key things:
1) Jesus’ name was used by Jewish rabbis in an attempt to heal.
2) The Jewish rabbis rebuked other Jews for using Jesus name.
3) The use of Jesus’ name was believed to result in healing.
4) The quotations suggest that power resided in the name of Jesus Christ.
SUMMARY:
What We Know About Jesus Source of Information
1 He was an actual, historical person who was alive in Palestine during the reign of Tiberius (CE 14-37) Tacitus / Josephus / Lucian / The Talmud
2 He was known to be a teacher Lucian of Samosta / Mara Bar Serapion
3 His vocation was associated with sorcery (or miracles and wonders) Pontius Pilate
4 He had a group of followers Suetonius / Josephus
5 Jesus had trouble with the authorities because of His teaching The Talmud
6 No one defended Him at His trial The Talmud
7 He was executed by crucifixion on the eve of Passover by order of the Roman Prefect of Judea, Pontus Pilate Tacitus / Pontius Pilate / Lucian of Samosta / Mara Bar Serapion / Phlegon / The Talmud / Josephus
8 An earthquake and a “solar eclipse” occurred at the time of His death Phlegon / Thallus
What We Know About His Followers
1 They were called Christians Tacitus / Suetonius / Hadrian / Trajan / Josephus
2 The church began in Judea and spread widely within just a few years reaching to Rome itself Tacitus / Suetonius
3 Christians were persecuted for their faith Tacitus / Pliny / Suetonius / Hadrian / Trajan
4 Christians were banished from Rome Suetonius
5 They met on a fixed day of the week, sung hymns, and worshipped Jesus “As if He was a God” Pliny / Lucian
6 They were committed to Holy behavior Pliny / Lucian
7 Their belief was centered around a “mischievous superstition” Tacitus / Suetonius
8 Christians taught that, once converted, you have eternal life Lucian of Samosta
9 Jesus’ name was used by Jewish rabbis in attempting to heal people Papyri Graecae Magicae
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