The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christianity. It is the belief that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, demonstrating His power over death and sin.
But when was this miraculous event first mentioned in history Let’s explore.
What Do We Know About Jesus’ Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is well-documented in the New Testament Gospels, which were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. According to these accounts, Jesus was crucified by the Romans for claiming to be the Son of God.
After His death, He was buried in a tomb and a large stone was placed over it. However, three days later, the stone was found rolled away and Jesus’ body was gone.
The Gospels also describe how Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. He showed them His wounds and ate with them to prove that He was not a ghost but indeed alive.
When Was The Resurrection First Mentioned In History
The first written account of the resurrection of Jesus outside of the Bible comes from a Jewish historian named Josephus Flavius. In his book “Antiquities of the Jews,” which was written around 93-94 AD, he briefly mentions the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Josephus wrote: “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 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 principal men amongst us had condemned him to the cross.. he appeared to them alive again on the third day.”
While some scholars believe that this passage was altered by Christian scribes, the majority of historians agree that Josephus did write about Jesus’ resurrection.
Conclusion
The resurrection of Jesus is a crucial event in the history of Christianity. While it is primarily documented in the New Testament Gospels, the first written account outside of the Bible comes from Josephus Flavius in his book “Antiquities of the Jews.” This brief mention solidifies the fact that Jesus’ resurrection was not just a religious belief, but an actual historical event.