Historical Claims in Support of the Resurrection of Jesus

Historical Evidence of the Resurrection

One of the most compelling stories of all time is the Resurrection of Jesus. But how do we know it really happened? Are we merely supposed to take everyone’s word for it? Or is there historical evidence that Jesus Christ truly did die and rise up from the dead three days later? The fact of the matter is, yes, historical evidence of Christ’s resurrection does exist; however, that does not mean one won’t need faith to believe in it.

Before discussing the Resurrection, it is necessary first to show that Jesus Christ did first of all die. Aside from the evidence from Scripture, Josephus provides one of the earliest recorded historical accounts of Jesus’ death. Josephus was a Roman-Jewish historian, so he cannot be said to have any Christian bias in reporting on this matter. Josephus recounts that “Pilate, upon hearing [Jesus] accused by men of the highest standing amongst us, had condemned him to be crucified.” There is also the historical record of Lucian, a Greek writer, who discusses the matter of Jesus’s death in the commentaries that he penned. Tacitus describes the circumstances surrounding the death of Jesus in his history, as does the Syrian philosopher Mara Ben-Serapion, who was nearly a contemporary of Jesus. The death of Jesus is even reported in the Jewish Talmud, which states that “on the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged” (Habermas, Licona 30). So there can be no real debate over whether Jesus actually died—the historical record is fairly clear on this matter.

But what is the proof that Jesus rose from the dead? After all, even though the Jewish Talmud reports on Jesus’ death, the Jews deny that Christ rose from the dead. They argue that the disciples of Jesus stole His body and claimed that their leader had risen to trick others into believing that He really was God. In fact, the Jews feared exactly that, as reported in Scripture: it is why they asked Pilate for soldiers to guard the tomb where Christ was laid—they feared the Christians might start trouble if they could just steal the corpse (Matthew 27:65-66). The question then becomes: if Scripture is to be believed, and the tomb was guarded, how on earth did the Christians manage to steal the body of Jesus from under the noses of the guard?

Setting aside that question, one can again turn to Scripture as a historical record to see how the disciples changed from frightened followers of Christ, now dead, to courageous defenders and preachers of the faith. What happened to cause this dramatic transformation in them if not the Resurrection? In fact, one must ask which is the greater miracle—the Resurrection of Christ, or the dramatic transformation in the character of the disciples? It must be recalled that after His death, the disciples had given up all hope: Peter had publicly denied having any knowledge of Christ. Others were leaving town altogether. Those who remained were holed up in a home, too afraid to go out for fear of persecution. If the story of His resurrection was untrue, the disciples would have remained broken up and afraid. But they changed. They became courageous evangelists even in the face of persecution and death. There is no logical explanation for this transformation other than the Resurrection.

Then there is the conversion of Paul. As a Roman Jew named Saul, he persecuted the Christians. Then—all of sudden—he converted. How did this happen if not through the direct intervention of Christ, Who appeared to Paul. If Christ is not risen, Saul does not convert to Christianity and become St. Paul the Apostle—there are no two ways about it and no other possible historical explanation (Geivett, Habermans).