Did Jesus exist? Is there historical evidence that Jesus existed?

Quick answer

Jesus existed, and this truth is supported by thousands of reliable New Testament manuscripts. Ancient historians and writers also reference Jesus, and New Testament prophecies about Him have already come to pass or are currently taking place.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The 25,000+ manuscripts for the New Testament were written less than two hundred years after Jesus’ death. These numbers are significant because nowhere near this number of manuscripts exists for any other ancient work, and any manuscripts that were written within two hundred years are considered reliable by most scholars. Especially notable is the short time in which Paul wrote his epistles—some scholars granting that some, potentially all of them, were written less than just forty years after Jesus’ death. Additionally, ancient historians and writers, such as Roman Tacitus, Suetonius, Flavius Josephus, Lucian of Samosata, and Pliny the Younger, seem to refer to Jesus Christ or His followers. Lastly, it is notable that the prophecy Jesus gave in Matthew 24:1-2 about Israel’s holy temple being destroyed came to pass in AD 70 when the Romans utterly decimated it, which points to the validity of Jesus Christ’s existence and even His divine nature.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 53, commonly known as the “suffering servant” passage, prophesies Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion.
Psalm 22:16-18 predicts Jesus’ crucifixion and that lots would be cast for His clothing, all of which took place (cf. Matthew 27:35).
Micah 5:2 is a prophecy about the future king of Israel being born in Bethlehem, a prophecy that was fulfilled by Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

In Matthew 24:1-2 Jesus prophesies the impending judgement from God upon Israel and that the temple will be destroyed. This actually took place in AD 70 when the Romans burned down the temple, which points to Jesus’ existence, as well as His divinity and foreknowledge.
Several ancient historical documents, such as ones written by Jewish historian Josephus and Roman historian Tacitus, mention Pontias Pilate as governor of Judea. All four gospels also refer to Pontias Pilate as the governor who capitulated to Jews’ demands to crucify Jesus (Matthew 27:2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18:29). This is additional proof that secular sources agree with the text of the Bible and points to the truth of Jesus’ existence.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Typically, when people demand historical evidence of Jesus' existence, they mean evidence "outside of the Bible." However, the Bible is a reliable historical source of evidence for Jesus’ existence, especially because nothing in the Bible has been discredited by secular historians. Today, followers of Jesus are seeing the end time prophecies written in His Book, the Bible, unfold before their eyes (1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2-3). Those who follow Jesus have experienced His existence in the form of a personal relationship with Him (John 1:12, 3:1-21) and the transforming power of that relationship. Christians through the centuries have been so influenced by this relationship that they have willingly and gladly become martyrs. This began with Jesus' early followers, who had previously shared life with Him during His earthly ministry. Many of these followers were stoned, beaten to death, burned at the stake, and boiled in oil—they were willing to because they had personally known and put their faith and belief in the very real person of Jesus Christ.

UNDERSTAND

The Bible as well as secular historical writings testify to Jesus’ existence.
Jesus fulfilled several biblical prophecies.
The personal relationship believers have with Christ and the transformation that relationship has on their lives further testifies to His existence.

REFLECT

How has your relationship with Jesus given you personal assurance of His existence beyond historical evidence?
When you read prophecies about Jesus that have been fulfilled, how does that shape your confidence in God’s Word?
Which historical or biblical evidence for Jesus’ existence strengthens your faith the most, and why?

ENGAGE

How can the abundance of New Testament manuscripts help us explain the reliability of the Bible to those who doubt Jesus’ existence?
How can combining secular historical references with fulfilled prophecies make a stronger case for the reality of Jesus?
How might our testimony of a transformed life be just as powerful as historical evidence when engaging with skeptics?