HISTORICAL SOURCES OUTSIDE THE BIBLE HONORING JESUS CHRIST.

16 Historical Sources Outside the Bible That Mention Jesus Christ

When it comes to understanding the life and impact of Jesus Christ, the Bible isn’t the only place where

He’s mentioned. There are numerous historical sources outside of the Bible that give us insight into

how Jesus was viewed and remembered in ancient times. This article highlights 16 sources that

mention Jesus, shedding light on His existence and influence beyond the scriptures.

1. Flavius Josephus (c. 37–100 AD)

Josephus, a Jewish historian, offers one of the earliest non-Christian mentions of Jesus in his work

"Antiquities of the Jews." He describes Jesus as a wise man and the leader of a movement, providing a

unique glimpse into how Jesus was perceived by Jewish historians.

In the well-known passage ‘Testimonium Flavianum’, Josephus refers to Jesus as a wise man, known

for His virtue and teachings. He also mentions that Jesus attracted a large following and was

condemned to be crucified by Pontius Pilate. It should be noted that the authenticity of this is debated,

with some scholars arguing that it was partially edited by Christian scribes.

2. Tacitus (c. 56–120 AD)

Tacitus, a well-known Roman historian, wrote about Jesus in his work Annals, which dates back to the

early second century. In this account, Tacitus mentions the execution of Jesus, whom he refers to as

"Christus," under the governance of Pontius Pilate during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Tacitus also

highlights how Jesus' followers, known as Christians, were growing in number and how they were

viewed by Roman society at the time.

3. Suetonius (c. 69–122 AD)

In The Twelve Caesars, Suetonius, a prominent Roman historian, briefly mentions the early Christians

in Rome and the disturbances they were causing. He talks about events that took place during the reign

of Emperor Claudius and notes that these Christians followed a figure named "Chrestus," which is

believed by some to refer to Christ.

Although Suetonius’s mention of Jesus is short, it’s important because it shows that the movement

Jesus started had already spread to Rome and was significant enough to catch the attention of Roman

leaders.

However, some argue the reference to "Chrestus" in Suetonius is ambiguous, with some believing it

refers to Christ, and others arguing that it might refer to a different figure. The connection to Jesus is

not definitive.

4. Pliny the Younger (c. 61–113 AD)

Pliny the Younger, a Roman governor, wrote letters to Emperor Trajan asking for advice on how to deal

with the increasing number of Christians in his region. In these letters, Pliny describes how the early

Christians would gather before dawn to sing hymns to Christ as if He were a god, take oaths to live

good lives, and share meals together. He points out that Christ was the central figure in their worship,

showing how dedicated these early Christians were. Pliny also details his approach to dealing with

Christians—offering them multiple chances to renounce their faith. If they refused three times, they

were executed.

5. Thallus (1st century AD)

Thallus, a historian from the first century, is known through references made by later historians, as his

own works have unfortunately been lost. According to these references, Thallus mentioned an unusual

darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus. Thallus described this darkness happening at

noon, which aligns with the biblical story of a three-hour period of darkness during the crucifixion.

Even though we don’t have Thallus’s original work, this mention provides an interesting piece of

evidence that shows how the events of Jesus' crucifixion were noted by people outside of Christian

writings.

6. Phlegon (c. 80–140 AD)

Phlegon, another ancient historian, also mentioned an unusual darkness during Jesus’ crucifixion in his

work Chronicles. Like Thallus, Phlegon’s mention reinforces the idea that the crucifixion was a

significant event observed by contemporary historians.

Both accounts from Thallus and Phlegon describe the darkness occurring during the day, providing

similar details that focus on the event's notable impact on those who lived through it. It should be

noted, however, that neither directly mentions Jesus. Their works are primarily known through later

references, and some details about them are speculative.

7. Mara Bar-Serapion (late 1st century or early 2nd century AD)

Mara Bar-Serapion, in his letter to his son, makes an alleged reference to Jesus as a wise king and a

teacher whom the Jews killed. He compares Jesus’ teachings to those of other great philosophers like

Socrates and Pythagoras, acknowledging Jesus' wisdom and the impact of His teachings. Mara Bar-

Serapion notes that, despite the wise king being condemned and suffering a terrible fate, His teachings

lived on and continued to inspire others.

Many interpret the ‘wise king’ to be Jesus, but it is not certain. The reference could be more general or

symbolic.

8. Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD)

Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist, frequently mentions Jesus in his writings. In his First

Apology, Justin speaks to both Jewish and Roman audiences to defend the Christian faith and clear up

misunderstandings. He provides details about Jesus' life, including His teachings, crucifixion, and

resurrection, and explains how these events fulfill Old Testament prophecies. Justin’s work offers a

clear explanation of Christian beliefs and shows how early Christians defended their faith while trying

to connect with people from different backgrounds.

9. Tertullian (c. 155–240 AD)

Tertullian was a prominent early Christian writer and apologist who frequently mentioned Jesus in his

works. In his Apology, Tertullian defends Christianity against accusations and misconceptions. He

discusses the historical reality of Jesus, using Roman records and other sources to argue that Jesus was

a real person and His impact was significant. Tertullian also addresses criticisms of Christianity and its

beliefs, showing how Jesus' life and teachings were central to the faith.

10. Origen (c. 185–254 AD)

Origen, an early Christian scholar, often wrote about the existence and divinity of Jesus. He studied and

used different non-Christian sources, like Jewish and pagan texts, to support his claims about Jesus.

Origen wanted to show that Jesus was both a real person and divine. By addressing questions and

challenges from outside the Christian faith, he helped to explain and defend Jesus’ importance and

nature.

11. Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–340 AD)

Eusebius, known as the Father of Church History, mentions Jesus frequently in his writings. In his

Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius collects and discusses many earlier sources that reference Jesus. This

work offers a detailed view of how early Christians remembered and talked about Jesus. Eusebius not

only recounts Jesus' life and teachings but also explores how His impact was understood and recorded

by the early church.

12. The Babylonian Talmud (compiled from the 3rd to 5th centuries AD)

The Talmud, a central text in Rabbinic Judaism, includes references to a figure named Yeshu, which

many scholars believe refers to Jesus. These references, scattered throughout different sections of the

Talmud, often portray Yeshu in a negative light, reflecting tensions between early Christians and Jewish

communities.

It is important, however, to note that references to "Yeshu" in the Talmud are debated. Some scholars

believe these refer to Jesus, while others argue they refer to different figures or are polemical and not

historical.

13. Celsus (c. 175 AD)

Celsus, a Greek philosopher, wrote a critique of Christianity called The True Word. Although the

original text is lost, we know about it through Origen’s writings, as Origen responded to Celsus’s

arguments. Celsus’s work offers a hostile view of Jesus and the early Christian movement. Despite its

negative tone, Celsus’s critique is valuable because it provides a non-Christian perspective on Jesus and

the challenges Christianity faced in the early years.

14. Lucian of Samosata (ca. AD 166)

Lucian of Samosata, a Greek satirist, mentions Jesus in his writings. In his work The Passing of

Peregrinus, Lucian refers to Jesus indirectly while criticizing the early Christians. He describes them as

followers of a “crucified sage” who were devoted to Him and willing to endure hardships for their

faith. Although Lucian’s tone is mocking, his references confirm that Jesus was known outside

Christian circles and that His impact was significant enough to be mentioned by critics