The Physical Evidence

The historical records concerning Jesus were accurately transmitted over the centuries, but how do we know they are factually true? Many of the people, places and events in the Gospels have been confirmed as true by the external evidence of archaeology and historical research.

The Roman Census

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria” (Luke 2:1-2).

• Papyrus census forms have been found dating from the first centuries B.C. and A.D., proving the practice was common during Jesus’ lifetime and in His locality.

• A recently discovered coin bearing the name Quirinius identifies him as proconsul of Syria and Cilicia from 11 B.C. until after 4 B.C. This places him on the scene for the biblical Roman census, thought by many to have taken place from 8-5 B.C.

Date of Jesus’ Birth

“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son…” (Luke 2:7).

• Herod the Great died in the spring of 4 B.C., yet he was very much alive when Jesus was born. Based on this fact, the date for the Roman census (above), and Jesus’ age when he began His ministry in A.D. 26-27 (“about 30” in Luke 3:23), Jesus’ birth must have been in the winter of 5-4 B.C.

• A sixth-century Roman monk dated the Nativity in the 753rd year from the founding of Rome, but his chronology was off by four to five years. His errant chronology was adopted in the Gregorian calendar, which is still used today.

James, brother of Jesus

“Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?” (Matthew 13:55).

• A bone box used for secondary burial at the time of Jesus was recently found in Jerusalem. Engraved on the side of the box was: “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.” If authentic, this would be an enormously important affirmation of the historical truth of both Jesus and His family.

This and other physical evidence surrounding the birth of Jesus fully supports the biblical and historical records.

We conclude that, even today, there is no objective reason to doubt either Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, or the record of His life. Neither should we ignore the free gift He offers to each one of us.