7 Things We Know about Jesus and His Followers from Non-Biblical Sources

These 7 points are nicely summarized by Paul Barnett in his volume Is the New Testament Reliable? (IVP Academic, 2003 [second ed.], p. 34).  Notably, each fact corroborates the record of the New Testament.

1. Jesus Christ was executed (by crucifixion?) in Judea during the period when Tiberius was emperor (A.D. 14-37) and Pontius Pilate was governor (A.D. 26-36).  Tacitus [Annals 15.44.2-5]

2. The movement spread from Judea to Rome. Tacitus [Ibid.]

3. His followers worshipped him as (a) god. Pliny [Letters from Bithynia, c. A.D. 110]

4. He was called “the Christ.” Josephus [Antiquities 20.197-203—an undisputed passage]

5. His followers were called “Christians.” Tacitus, Pliny [see above]

6. They were numerous in Bithynia and Rome. Tacitus, Pliny [see above]

7. His brother was James. Josephus [see above]

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7 thoughts on “7 Things We Know about Jesus and His Followers from Non-Biblical Sources

  1. Pingback: mid-week apologetics booster (10-6-2022) – 1 Peter 4:12-16

  2. Pingback: mid-week apologetics booster (2-16-2017) – 1 Peter 4:12-16

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  4. Pingback: Jesus in Non-Christian Sources

    • Good point! The “Son of Man” title is another good example. Nothing about Jesus makes sense apart from the Old Testament.

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