The Baptist Top 1000

Corroboration of New Testament text by Non-biblical sources





Summary: Testimony from early non-Biblical historical sources:

Aspect of Jesus' Life Author Name of Writing Date Written
Called Christ Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Had a brother James Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Wise man Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Wrought "surprising feats" Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Teacher of truth Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Won over many Jews and Greeks Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Pilate presided over trial Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Accused by those of high standing among the Jews Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Pilate condemned Him to death Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Followers still loved Him after His death  Josephus Antiquities of the Jews ~A.D.
Suffered crucifiction Tacitus (Roman historian)   ~115 A.D.
crucified during the reign of Tiberius Tacitus (Roman historian)   ~115 A.D.
Condemned by Pontius Pilate Tacitus (Roman historian)   ~115 A.D.
"Mischevious Superstition" checked for a moment, then broke out again in Judea and Rome Tacitus (Roman historian)   ~115 A.D.
Christians endured persecution by Nero Tacitus (Roman historian)   ~115 A.D.
Christians tortured and killed Pliny the Younger (Roman governor) Book 10 of letters ~111 A.D.
Christians met regularly on a fixed day Pliny the Younger (Roman governor) Book 10 of letters ~111 A.D.
Christians chanted verses alternately among themselves Pliny the Younger (Roman governor) Book 10 of letters ~111 A.D.
Christians honored Christ as if a god Pliny the Younger (Roman governor) Book 10 of letters ~111 A.D.
Took upon themselves oath to abstain from theft, robbery, adultury... Pliny the Younger (Roman governor) Book 10 of letters ~111 A.D.
Roman citizens to female slaves were Christians Pliny the Younger (Roman governor) Book 10 of letters ~111 A.D.
Darkness at 6th hour of day (explained away by eclipse) Julius Africanus (quoting historian Thallus) Julius Africanus quotes from Thallus' 3rd book of histories Julius Africanus wrote ~221 A.D.; Thallus' history was written ~52 A. D.
Darkness during daytime was "cosmic" or "world event" Tertullian    
Great eclipse at 6th hour of day and earthquakes in Bithynia and Nicea in 4th year of 202nd Olympiad (i.e., 33 A.D.) Phlegon (Greek from Caria)   ~137 A.D.
Considered false messiah Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
Practised magic Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
Healer Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
Miracle worker Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
Condemned to death Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
Born of Roman soldier and Mary Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
Had 5 disciples Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
Not all sages had made up mind whether he was a heretic or deceiver in the early Rabbinic period Jewish Rabbi's Talmud 200 to 500 A.D.
       


Summary: Testimony from early Christian (but non-Biblical) historical sources:

Aspect of Jesus' Life Author Name of Writing Date Written
Jesus was God Ignatius (bishop of Antioch in Syria)   Ignatius martyred before 117 A.D.
Jesus was human Ignatius (bishop of Antioch in Syria)   Ignatius martyred before 117 A.D.
Persecuted under Pontius Pilate Ignatius (bishop of Antioch in Syria) Last letter before martyred Ignatius martyred before 117 A.D.
Crucified Ignatius (bishop of Antioch in Syria) Last letter before martyred Ignatius martyred before 117 A.D.
Raised from dead Ignatius (bishop of Antioch in Syria) Last letter before martyred Ignatius martyred before 117 A.D.
Said that those who believed in Him would be raised Ignatius (bishop of Antioch in Syria) Last letter before martyred Ignatius martyred before 117 A.D.


Conclusion