The Physical Evidence

The historical records concerning Jesus were accurately transmitted over the centuries, but how do we know whether they represent the truth? For this we turn to the external evidence of archaeology and historical research.

Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate

"Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas..." (Matthew 26:57)
"Pilate then took Jesus..." (John 19:1)

• Caiaphas is named in the Gospels as the Jewish high priest at Jesus' trial. In 1990, a first century burial cave was discovered, containing a sculptured bone box with "Joseph Caiaphas" inscribed on the side.
• Jewish and Roman historians confirm that Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea at the time of Christ's crucifixion. A cornerstone was uncovered in ancient Caesarea Maritima, with the inscription: "Pontius Pilate, the Prefect of Judea, has dedicated to the people of Caesarea a temple in honor of Tiberius."

Roman Crucifixion of Jesus

"Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha... And they crucified Him..." (Mark 15:22, 24)

A crucifixion victim was discovered in 1968 near Jerusalem, with a 6-inch nail through his feet. His crucifixion was dated to A.D. 42. This confirms the Gospels--there were nails used for crucifixion at the time of Jesus!

Resurrection of Jesus

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said..." (Matthew 28:6)

The Empty Tomb

• There was a 16-member Roman guard at the tomb, and a 1-1/2 ton stone with a Roman seal covering the entrance. There was no defensible explanation for the missing Jesus except His resurrection.
  "[I]f all the evidence is weighed carefully and fairly, ...the tomb ...in which Jesus was buried was actually empty on the morning of the first EasterÓ (Dr. Paul Maier, historian at Western Michigan University).

500 Eyewitnesses and Transformed Lives

• The Gospels record 10 distinct post-resurrection physical appearances of Jesus, to as many as 500 people at once.
• Most of Jesus' disciples abandoned Him at the end. After seeing Him alive again, they were transformed from scared, hiding men into bold proclaimers of His resurrection, willing to die for their conviction. As Gary Habermas, apologist and philosopher, has said, "...liars do not make martyrs."

This and other evidence fully supports the biblical and historical records. There is now no objective reason to doubt Jesus' life, death and resurrection some 2,000 years ago. Nor do we dare ignore their implications.