EVIDENCE FOR THE HISTORICITY OF JESUS

EVIDENCE FOR THE HISTORICITY OF JESUS

1. INTRODUCTION

The most prominent person of the human history and the centre figure of the Christianity have lost the existence on this earth at the lack of evidence for his existence. Christians are celebrating Jesus every day in their life from all over the world. The beliefs of Christians were always considered as a faith on myth by the Skeptics of all the century. The criticism has grown to higher level in the present era. There were many attempts which were made to solve problem by providing some proof for the existence of Jesus, but those were not considered for those were written by disciples. The Skeptics have given more credit to the source the secular world can offer about Christ. On the basis of this conclusion many attempts were made to provide the sources from the secular world, but the credits of that material were taken down by of the skpetism of Skeptics. This paper will be focusing on reliability evidences and honesty of skepticism and a possible solution. 

2. CORNELIUS TACITUS

Cornelius Tacitus was a historian of the Roman Empire who   wrote the history of the Roman Empire which covers from the death of Augustus in AD 14 to the death of emperor Domitian in AD 96.[1] The roman historian Cornelius Tacitus was a governor of Turkey in Asia.  And he   was best friend of the historian Pliny the Younger. Tacitus, in his Annals, written after AD 64, mentions the persecution of the Christians which they suffer under the rule of Emperor Nero. This persecution was the result of the false accusation that was charged over Christians by the Nero for the destruction of Rome. But the matter of fact is that it was Emperor Nero who burnt the Rome and put the blame on Christians[2]. About this the historian Tacitus, in his annals, put it in this way:  

         “Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular.”[3]

The historian Tacitus’s information has given us some important message about the Christ and the Christianity, which is, in fact, an authentic source to be certain about. The piece of information that we have from the historian, actually conforms the information that what we read in the bible about Jesus and his followers.

First, it confirms the existence of Jesus and his death by Pilate. Because it tells that Jesus was executed as a criminal under the authority of Pontius Pilate, who ruled Judea under the reign of Tiberius. Second, it is well understood that it was Jesus who found the Christianity from the information which says; the Christian who derived their worship and their religion from the person know as Christ. Third, it conforms that the Christianity was originated Judea and then spread throughout Rome. in his verification about the spread of Christianity, he write it in this way that the new religion began in Judea and is now spreading throughout the empire despite the fact that its founder underwent the death penalty as a criminal. Further, he also mentions that the Christians were growing in large number in spite of hate, rejection, hatred, and false accusations.[4]

2.1. Skepticism

Concerning the information recorded by the historian Tacitus, there arose some skepticism by questioning the reliability of source from different dimensions.  There are two assumptions which are alike in its nature: first, Tacitus could have taken it from Christian source, and second, the Christians could have done some interpolation. And other two reasons for the skepticism are as follow: first, church fathers did not quote this passage, and second, incorrect use of title to Pilate.

First assumption: Tacitus could have taken his information from Christian source.       

Since Tacitus was a professional historian, it is less likely Tacitus would take the information from the Christian to add to the government record about the Christians. There is a clear possibility for Pliny the Young to be the means for Tacitus to get the source from, because, in many of the time Pliny has given him information[5]. Despite the fact that Pliny has been the source, we must keep one thing in our mind that Tacitus has criticised the testimony given by Pliny, and found the hearsay almost 70 times in his history.[6] Therefore, if he would have ever felt that this information of Jesus a rumour then he would have said that the account is unverified.

Second assumption: this passage could have been a Christian interpolation

This could be a kind of accusation to say that Christian could have done a interpolation in this information. Because, when Tacitus refers to Christianity, he refers Christianity as a superstition and insupperssibe mischief. How could it be fair for a Christians to write something bad about their religion?  No, it is not at all possible. Nevertheless we don’t have any evidence of altering into this passage from the surviving copy of Tacitus’s annals.[7]       

First reason: early church fathers did not quote this passage. Firstly, there is nothing great about the Christians and Christ in this passage that the early church fathers may use for some purpose.  Secondly, the historian Tacitus’s mentions of Christians were not commonly known among Christians. This passage just only mentions the existence of Jesus and nothing about his divinity.

Second reason: incorrect use of title to Pilate. This question arises as the result of assumption that Pilate was only governor in Judea. In his writings, Tacitus refers to Pilate as procurator, whereas the Pilate stone at Israel museum shows that Pilate was a governor (prefect in Latin).but this is not the real case, because we have evidence from both secular and Christian work, in which Pilate is referred as a procurator. In the antiquities of jaws XVIII, 3:1 and the Jewish war, book II 9:12 Pilate referred as procurator of Judea. Even in the first apology XII the governor Pilate referred as procurator of Judea in the times of Tiberius Caesar.[8] These are the clear indications that Tacitus was right about what he wrote about Pilate.  Thus, it becomes clear that information we have about Jesus  and Christians from the record of Tacitus is totally reliable.

3. FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS

Josephus (A.D.37 to A.D. 101) was a Jewish historian who was born in Jerusalem. He belonged to the generation which descended from highly distinguished priestly family, and his mother comes from the lineage of Maccabean. He was given good education, and also had good fellowship with highly profound scholars, which eventually helped him to have intellectual gifts, good memory, and power of judgment. At the young age, Josephus dedicated his life to study and be acquainted with the leading political religious group such as Essenes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. [9]

After the war against romans, the Flavius Josephus decided to go fully in the favour of the roman. As a result, he was given Roman citizenship and was appointed as an advisor and friend of Titus the son Vespasian.  He served as a translator to Titus when he went against the Jewish revolt and destroyed the city Jerusalem.[10]Josephus work remains as a most important piece of work of history. His works basically were Jewish war, antiquities, and Jewish revolt against roman occupation.  By looking into this work we actually understand that how these works set a clear insight into the first century Judaism and the background of early Christianity. Though Josephus was a Jew yet he did not believe in Christ as son of God.

Josephus, the great historian of antiquity has given enough evidence about Jesus that he existed as a real person and crucified on the cross by Pilate. This piece of information was recorded in the antiquities of the Jews XVIII, 3:3.[11]  The following passage is found in the extant Greek manuscripts of Josephus Antiquities 18.3.3.

"Now there was about this time Jesus, 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 the 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 to this day."[12]

Later Josephus writes:

“But this younger Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned”[13]

This passage has been used by Christians to affirm the fact that Christ was a real man who existed in Jerusalem in the first century. On the other hand, this passage has gone under skepticism. Since this passage is found in the writings of Christian apologist Eusebius the authenticity has been questioned. And further, people argue that the writing style of Josephus does not match and the main three things about Christ in his writings increasing the skepticism more. Some believe that since Josephus was Jew, it is less likely he would the term messiah for Jesus.[14]

3.1. Skepticism

This passage has been debated among scholars over many times in the history, and we have arguments which are presented for and against the truth claim of this passage. Therefore, we will be looking at both side arguments.

Argument for authenticity

1.      The vocabulary in the testimonium is coherent with others passage in antiquities. The firs phrase, “now about this time”, has been used much time in his writings in the beginning of the statement. It is doubtful that any Christian forger would refer Jesus simply as a wise man and then mention his divinity. It is simply that Josephus wants to mention the nobleness and miracle work of Christ. Even when he makes mentions of the Christians, he refers to Christians as tribe, which he usually uses for mentioning both major and minor sects.

2.      Second argument goes for the possibility of alteration in the passage. Some believe that the passage was not interpolated rather it might have been altered. Because, when we remove the dispute words, the passage will flow with consistency of what an orthodox Jew would say about Christ.  Since this is the case, people don’t expect an interpolation but an alteration.

3.      The Greek and Arabic translation of the testimonium is another evidence to say that the Christian could not have added anything but altered. In the Greek and Arabic translations the suspicious statements such as "Jesus who was believed to be the Christ" and "It has been reported that He appeared to them alive again on the third day," are found. This gives the speculation that Christian authors added nothing but editing.

4.      The passage found in the testimonium about Christ also found in the earliest versions of antiquities. Objectors say that the early surviving copy dates from 10^th century A.D. and, therefore it is hard to know the early versions of antiquities that we may compare with. Though it is true, on the other hand, what we have is several citations of the authors prior to the 10^th century. Therefore, it could be compared with sources which are very close to early versions of antiquities.

5.      Some defenders of testimonium authenticity think that if this passage had been interpolated wholly by the Christian, then it would have been inserted next to john or James and Pilate. But the fact is, it is in the separate place. So, it is very obvious that the accusation of interpolation is not evidence based one but an assumption.[15]

Argument against authenticity

1.      Some raise the objection by pointing the “interruption” occurred in the continuity of Josephus’ thought. In other words, interruption occurred because of the interpolation of this passage. But in fact, the interruptions are frequent occurrences in the works of the Josephus since he composed the histories in different sittings. Moreover, it was a well-known fact that Josephus had been using assistance scribes during his writings. Therefore interruption must not be taken as the reason to conclude that this passage is interpolated.

2.      Another objection was proclamations in the passage. Some argue that since Josephus was an orthodox Jew, it is less likely that he would to write Jesus as being Christ.  It could be thought in another way that since Josephus is a historian, he wrote, as a responsible historian, the belief regarding Jesus not his personal opinion.

3.      Few questions the reliability of this passage for it has not been cited by the early Christians authors like Origen and Justin martyr. In fact, the Christian writer Origen has cited from the Josephus but the critics think it is too late to be reliable. And another thing, it was necessary for the church father to quote from Josephus, because they were not worried about the existence of Christ rather his divinity.

4.      Fourth objection says that Josephus’s writings on the Jewish war also contain this passage, so it must be a forgery. But this assumption is false, the testimonium is not found anywhere in the Jewish war and this assumption is only a guess without evidence.

5.      The fifth objection was based on the question that if the passage were genuine then why Josephus did not write more about Christ? To write about something more and how always depends on the prerogative .and moreover, Josephus did not believe Jesus as messiah but as false prophet. So the information about Jesus does not make sense to Josephus.[16]

After evaluating the evidence, we could come to the conclusion that the testimonium is still serves as good evidence to know the existence of Jesus Christ.

4. JULIUS AFRICANUS, THALLUS AND PHLEGON

One of the most important events in the time of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was the three hours of supernatural darkness in the day time. This event has been recorded in the gospels by the gospel writers in the first century. Since the gospel has been not taking as authentic source to rely upon, the external proof for the existence of Christ was in demand. But remarkably, we have the external evidence to prove the existence of Christ and the darkness which covered that place at the time of Jesus’s crucifixion. This very event has been recorded in the writings of pagan historian Thallus and Phlegon. Julius africanus was the one who argued for existence of Jesus Christ by referring to the event recorded by the pagan historian Thallus.

4.1. Thallus

Thallus was a historian who born Samaria and lived in Rome about A.D. 52. He is the one wrote the supernatural event which happened in the time of crucifixion. Though the writings of Thallus were lost, the Christian chronographer Julius Africanus of the late second century quotes the writings of Thallus. This tells that the people were familiar with the writings of Thallus.[17]

4.2. Sextus Julius Africanus 

Africanus was a Christian historian and traveller of late second and early third century A.D. he is considered to be an influential person because of his influence on Eusebius and later writers of church history, Greek school chroniclers. He was considered to be philosopher and a roman descent. Africanus claims to be native of Jerusalem, but at the same time the chronicle indicate his familiarity with historic Palestine.[18] Africanus, the Christian writer in A.D. 215, records the event of darkness at the time crucifixion of Christ from the pagan historian by the name Thallus of first century. Africanus argue that the eclipse cannot occur at the same time when there is a full moon. Because the moon would be almost diametrically opposite to the sun, which would eventually make a solar eclipse impossible at the time. Africanus says that the historical events recorded by the Thallus confirm the gospel record regarding the miraculous darkness that covered the earth when Jesus was on the cross.[19]

In the writings of africanus he puts it in this way that:

"On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness. The rocks were rent by an earthquake and many places in Judea and other 
districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the 
sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the passion of our Saviour falls on the day before the 
Passover. But an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun. And it cannot happen at any other time... Phlegon 
records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth-manifestly that one 
of which we speak”[20]

Here africanus quotes the writings of Thallus that there was a great darkness which covered the whole land. Africanus believed it to be the darkness of the time of crucifixion of Christ for one reason. He actually saw the impossibility of the event occurring in the Passover time when we have full moon. Even the modern astronomers agree with africanus conclusion that a normal eclipse could not possibly occur at the time of full moon.  But the fact is the eclipse happened at the full moon, which is in the time of Jewish Passover. Here are two important things that have to be noticed. First, the pagan Syrian historian Thallus, who lived at the time of death of Christ, confirms the records the darkness which has been found in the gospel by writings it in his book. Second, the darkness covered the whole land when there was a full moon, which is not possible in natural way and make it certain that the darkness was supernatural in its nature.[21] Further, we have other ancient historical reference to the supernatural darkness which occurred in the time of Jesus’s crucifixion. And another remarkable historian to write about the supernatural darkness is a pagan historian from Lydian named Phlegon.

4.3. Phlegon

Phlegon was a secular historian of second century who born about A.D. 80 in Lydia. There are two books ascribed to him: Chronicles and the Olympiads.  Thou we know little about him, yet we find some reference to Christ that he made in his writings. His writings have been quoted by many in later time. at least we can see five people who has referred to the writings of Phlegon. The first quote is recorded by Origen. The second quote is recorded by Philemon. The third quote is found in africanus writings. The fourth quote is found in Jerome. And the fifth one is found in the writings of Eusebius. [22]

The great supernatural eclipse of the sun has been noted by Phlegon in 138 A.D. this event of supernatural darkness was quoted by The Christian historian Eusebius. The quote from the phlegon’s writing about the supernatural darkness by Eusebius as follows:

“All which things agree with what happened at the time of our Saviour's passion? And so writes Phlegon, and excellent compiler of the Olympiads in his thirteenth book, saying: In the fourth year of the two hundred and second Olympiad there was a great and extraordinary eclipse of the sun, distinguished among all that had happened before. At the sixth hour the day was turned into dark night, so that the stars in the heavens were seen, and there was an earthquake in Bithynia which overthrew many houses in the city of Nice”.

Phlegon’s record about the darkness indicates the fact that the darkness which covered the earth began at the sixth hour, which is very much identical to the time that is recorded in the Matthew 27: 45. This is amazing evidence to existence of our saviour Christ and his suffering. Furthermore, our Christian writer Tertullian point at supernatural darkness recorded in the roman archives as an evidence to be considered. Tertullian, the Christian writer  put it in this way ‘at the same time at noonday there was a great darkness  and they thought it to be and eclipse because they did not know it was foretold concerning Christ .even we have another recorded of another Christian who was an martyr . Martyr Lucian spoke about the supernatural events to the public and the speech has been recorded in this way: "Look into your annals; there you will find that in the time of Pilate, when Christ suffered, the sun was obscured, and the light of the day was interrupted with darkness."[23]These quotes and the writings are the strong pillars which supply the strength to the gospel records and the existence of Jesus Christ. Even to some extent these writings went through the some skepticism.

4.4. Skepticism

Mainly there two question which are asked by the Skeptics about these information. First, why does not Pliny the elder or Seneca mention this event in their writings? Second, since the Thalls’s and Phlegon’s work exit only in the fragments, can their testimonies be considered reliable?

In the case of Pliny the elder, he has focused himself on writing the natural astronomical events which had physical and scientific explanations. Even we have no evidence of him being in Judea to record the supernatural events. Therefore it is doubtful that he would find this supernatural event as important things to record. The focuses of the Seneca were actually on dramas, dialogues, and tragedies. But he also had been writings meteorological essay, natural questions, cosmology. Since this is not event that he would mind about writing, it is less likely he would note it down in his writings. it is also not sure that he was in Judea during this event.[24]

Concerning the works of Thallus and Phlegon which exist only in fragments,  the only way of finding the reliability of those information  is to see the honesty  of  one who has quoted it. This has to be determined by readers. Africanus was a honest man, who highly respect for his genuine by his fellow. Even he has chastised his friends for citing. So this attitude could keep the information in its original way without any alterations. Historian Thallus never denied the event but he came up with the scientific explanation to the eclipse instead of finding it to be supernatural. 

 
5. PLINY THE YOUNGER

Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, who was also better known as Pliny the Younger was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny the Elder, the uncle of Pliny, raise him by giving him good educate. There were hundred letters which were written by pliny but most of them did survive through times. The letters of the Pliny has great historical value for the time period. Pliny was a friend of the historian Tacitus and had employed the biographer Suetonius as his staff. He served as an imperial magistrate under Trajan.[25]Pliny wrote a letter to the emperor, in which he asked for some specific instructions about the cross-examination on the Christians whom he has been persecuting at that time. Pliny, in his epistles to the emperor, writes that the Christians are worshiping Jesus not the emperor and never course their leader Jesus even under the extreme torture .those things are put down in this way that:

“in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ as to a god, and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, adultery, never to falsify their word, not to deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up”.

here, pliny describes Christians as good people who love the truth at any cost. pliny thought it is not possible for them to die willingly if they not convinced about what they believe as true. The massive number of the martyrdom reveals the fact that the Christians knew the truth about Christ and was willing to die rather than denying the faith in Christ.[26] When this piece of information was taken to be the authentic source to prove the existence of Jesus, there were some skepticism on the logical conclusion that was driven from this passage about Christ and Christians.

5.1. Skepticism

The skepticism can be folded into two questions. First, how does dying for one’s belief verify the actual existence of Jesus? Second, since Pliny states some recanted their testimony, this should be a myth. Skeptics think that the information only could prove the existence of the Christians in Rome not the existence of Jesus of Judea.  But Pliny mentions that the Christians worshiped as if he were a god. Normally it is not fact that one would be exalted as a god without any proof. In the early time, it was possible to have more evidence for Jesus than what we have today. Early historians conforms the fact that the great nephews and other relatives, the associates of original apostles of Jesus were living. so such individual could be an witness to conform the existence. Moreover there had been so many documents which were referred by early authors who wrote about Jesus, and we find them no more at present. So the people of the early time had so much of evidence for the existence of Christ and his work. Thus the persecution of early Christian proves the existence of Jesus.

Pliny mentions of some who renounced their faith over persecution. Skeptic thinks this happened because they know Jesus was just a myth.  There are many reasons as to why people renounce their faith.  Pliny makes it plain that the tortures were given to those who were accused of crime. There is a possibility for someone to give up over the torture. Sometime accused one would deny their faith to escape from death. Even the half- hearted Christians would easily give up the things for the sake of living without problem. The epistles between Pliny and Trajan indicate that many were accused falsely by their enemies, and but some left faith prior to investigation. The individual those who died they died because they were certain about their knowledge.    

6. GAIUS SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus was a roman historian who commonly known as Suetonius.  His works were entitled as De Vita Caesarum.   The most important works of Suetonius are a set of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Mainly He recorded the earliest accounts of Julius Caesar's epileptic seizures. Suetonius also was interested in writing about daily life of Rome, politics, oratory, and the lives of famous writers which includes the poets, historians, and grammarians. Though many of these works were lost yet few of them survive partially.[27]

Caius Suetonius served as an official historian of Rome in the time of Emperor Trajan and Adrian. Since Suetonius was a friend of Pliny the Younger, Pliny has referred him in his letters. Suetonius, in his letter to Emperor Claudius, wrote that the Christian have caused disturbances in Rome and were banished from the city. Concerning this Suetonius wrote that:  

“As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome”[28]

This passage gives the evidence about the significant number of Christians who lived in Rome before A.D. 54.  This passage is another conformation to the book of acts in which we read about the exile of Jews from Rome during the reign of Claudius.  Paul could find the Jews Aquila and Priscilla coming from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. Suetonius writings also talks about the persecution of Christians during the reign of Nero. When he describes about Christians, he describes them as a magical superstition. This idea of magical superstition was the result of the miracle work done by Christians.[29]

6.1. Skepticism

Skeptics have pointed out to the different spelling of word Christ in the letter of Suetonius. They say, since the spelling is different, it may not be Jesus he is talking about. But the totality of the evidence certainly falls in the line with other historical accounts, which conforms the historical existence of Jesus. So therefore let us examine the reliability of the passage.[30] It is not a misspelling of word Christ rather it is a Greek use of word Christ. it was common for both pagan and Christians to spell the name by using either an e or an, and when do it we know that they are actually referring to Christ. And the name chrestus was a gentile name in Rome, so it might have been an aim by them to expel the Christians by taking a gentile name in the ear of the emperor.[31]

7. CONCLUSION

These external evidences serve as a solid and reasonable proof for the historicity of Christ. Right from roman historian Tacitus to the writer Suetonius, all have played a great role in presenting the evidence with honesty and right understanding. Sometime Skeptics were genuine in their question concerning evidence but not most of the time. This information actually conveys enough evidences about Christ and conform the information in the gospels concerning the Jesus Christ. For a real truth seeker it would serves as a real evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ on this earth.

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[1] Wikipedia, “Tacitus”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacitus (accessed on 26-8-14)

[2]Grant R. Jeffry, Historical Evident For Jesus Christ. http://www.grantjeffrey.com/article/historicalev.htm (accessed on 26-8-14)

[3]Perseus  Digital Liberary, “Cornelious Tacitus:Christian Accused Of Incendiarism”. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0078%3Abook%3D15%3Achapter%3D44(accessed on 27-8-14)

[4] Grant R. Jeffry, ‘Historical Evident For Jesus Christ”.

[5] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?” http://thedevineevidence.com/jesus_history.html(accessed on 27-8-14)

[6] Perseus  Digital Liberary, “Cornelious Tacitus: Annals 15,55.” 

[7] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?”

[8] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?”

[9] New Advent, “Flavius Josephus”. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08522a.htm (accessed on 26-8-14)

[10]Wikipedia, “Josephus”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus( accessed on 27-8-14)

[11] Beginning And End, “Did Jesus Christ Really Exist? Proving Jesus Without The Bible” http://beginningandend.com/jesus-exist-historical-evidence-jesus-christ/.( accessed on 27-8-14)

[12] Early Christian Writings, “Josephus And Jesus: The Testimonium Flavianum Question”.http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/testimonium.html(accessed on 27-8-14)

[13]wikisource, “the antiquities of the jews.”  http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Antiquities_of_the_Jews/Book_XX#Chapter_9(accessed on 27-8- 14)

[14] wikisource, “the antiquities of the jews”

[15] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?”

[16] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?”

[17]Historical Jesus, “Thallus”. http://www.doxa.ws/Jesus_pages/HistJesus5.html

[18] Wikipedia, “Sextus Julius Africanus”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sextus_Julius_Africanus#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGelzer189810-3

[19]Grant R. Jeffry, “Historical Evident For Jesus Christ”.   

[20] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?”

[21] Grant R. Jeffry, “The Historicity Of Jesus”.

[22] Never Thirsty, “Phlegon”.http://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/historical-secular-quotes-about-jesus/phlegon.html(accessed on 28-8-14)

[23]Grant R. Jeffry, “The Historicity Of Jesus.”

[24] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?”

[25]Wikipedia, “Pliny The Younger”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Younger (accessed on 27-8-14)

[26]Grant R. Jeffrey, “Historical Evidenced Of Jesus Christ”.

[27]Wikipedia, ‘Suetonius”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suetonius (accessed on 27-8-14)

[28] The Secular Web, “Suetonius”. http://infidels.org/library/modern/jeff_lowder/jury/chap5.html#suetonius(accessed on 29-8-14)

[29] Grant R. Jeffrey, “Historical Evidenced Of Jesus Christ”.

[30] Beginning And  End, “‘Did Jesus Christ Really Exist? Proving Jesus Without the Bible.”

[31] The Divine Evidence, “The Historicity Of Jesus Christ: Did He Really Exists?”