Faith & Reason Nexus

Josephus, a contemporary of the apostles (approximately A.D. 37 to A.D. 100), was a Jewish historian who was not a Christian but acknowledged the impact of Jesus. The following statement from his work The Antiquities of the Jews is of considerable interest:

“Now there was about this time 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, those that loved him at first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, 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.”

This passage from Josephus provides an external historical reference to Jesus, acknowledging His death and resurrection. However, scholars debate the authenticity of certain phrases, particularly those affirming His divine nature, suggesting that some parts may have been added or modified by later Christian editors. Despite this, the core of the passage reflects Josephus’ recognition of Jesus as a significant historical figure.