BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL EVIDENCE PROVES THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Toronto, Canada      Jeffrey S. Ram, Editor    April 16, 2025

Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of Christianity. His victory over death proved that he was the son of God. Consequently, Christians proudly proclaim that they worship the Living God. While unbelievers question the reliability of this event, Biblical and historical evidence and the testimony of Jesus Christ’s disciples strongly support its truth. The credibility of the resurrection rests on multiple factors, including eyewitness testimony, historical documentation, and the transformative power of this event in the lives of His followers, which prove that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is an undeniable truth.

BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION

The New Testament provides details of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—give details of the empty tomb and the appearance of Jesus after resurrection. Additionally, Paul’s letters emphasize the resurrection as the foundation of Christian belief. Apostle Paul declared, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”   (1 Corinthians 15:14)

1.    The Empty Tomb

The Gospels unanimously testify that women found Jesus' tomb empty on the third day following His crucifixion (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10). In first-century Jewish culture, women’s testimony was not regarded highly. The authors would likely have used male witnesses to enhance credibility if the story were fabricated. Hence, the women’s witness of the empty tomb proves the account's authenticity.

2. Appearances after Resurrection

Jesus appeared to many individuals and groups after His resurrection. These include:

• Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18), the Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), the Eleven Disciples (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23), Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29), and more than 500 people at once, many of whom were still alive at the time of writing, allowing verification of their testimony.  (1 Corinthians 15:6) 

• When Jesus appeared to His disciples, he showed His wounds and ate with them to prove He was not a ghost. Thomas, who initially doubted, believed when he touched Jesus’ wounds.

HISTORICAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE RESURRECTION

Besides Biblical texts, historical sources lend credibility to the resurrection. The resurrection belief was an integral part of Christian teaching from the beginning.

1. Transformation of the Disciples

Before the resurrection, Jesus’ disciples were fearful and in hiding (John 20:19). Only John was present near the cross when Jesus was crucified. When the women came and told the disciples that the tomb was empty, only Peter and John dared to run to the tomb. Other disciples were too scared to go out. After meeting the risen Christ, they became bold proclaimers of His resurrection, even in the face of persecution and death. These disciples’ radical transformation and willingness to suffer martyrdom testify that they witnessed the resurrection.

2. Non-Christian Historical Accounts

Several non-Christian sources mention Jesus’ death and the subsequent beliefs of His followers:

• Josephus (c. 37-100 AD) – A Jewish historian wrote about Jesus' crucifixion under Pontius Pilate and His followers’ claim that He had risen. (Antiquities of the Jews)

• Tacitus (c. 56-120 AD) – A Roman historian confirmed that Jesus was executed under Pilate and that Christianity spread despite persecution. (The Annals covering the period from CE 14-68).

• Pliny the Younger (c. 61-113 CE) – A Roman governor, in a letter to Emperor Trajan, described early Christians worshiping Jesus as divine.

• Julius Africanus (160-240 CE) mentioned a Greek historian named Phlegon of Tralles (80- 140 CE). Africanus wrote:

 "Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth to the ninth hour." (Africanus, Chronography).

Origen (an early church theologian and scholar, born in Alexandria) also referred to Phlegon, describing a solar eclipse and earthquake during the reign of Tiberius, which he associated with Jesus' predictions. (Origen Against Celsus}

Though not Christian, these sources validate key elements of the resurrection’s history.

LOGICAL AND THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

The resurrection of Jesus is not only a historical event but also carries significant theological and philosophical implications.

1.    Christians believe that by rising from the dead, Jesus Christ demonstrated that he conquered death and sin, offering believers hope for their salvation, future resurrection, and eternal life with Jesus. This belief is central to the Christian faith and the main reason for the emergence of Christianity as a global faith.

 While many religious sects appeared and disappeared, Christianity spread widely, even under persecution. This again proves that Jesus truly rose from the dead, and people believed the words of those who had witnessed the resurrected Christ.

     2. Some skeptics propose alternative explanations for the resurrection,       but these theories fail under scrutiny:

• The Stolen Body Hypothesis – If Jesus’ body had been stolen by His disciples, why would they suffer persecution for a known lie?

• The Swoon Theory – Some argue that Jesus merely fainted and later revived. The Romans ensured the death of the people who were crucified. Consequently, the soldiers were ordered to break the legs and take down the bodies because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath.

“The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his leg. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” (John 19:31-34)

• Hallucination Theory – Hallucinations are individual experiences, yet Jesus appeared to many people simultaneously. (1 Corinthians 15:6).

BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL EVIDENCE PROVES WITHOUT DOUBT THE REALITY OF JESUS’S RESURRECTION

Compelling Biblical evidence, historical documentation, the witness of His disciples, multiple post-resurrection appearances, the disciples' transformation, non-Christian historical sources and logical reasoning affirm the reality of the miraculous event of Jesus’s resurrection. Given the overwhelming evidence, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most well-documented and influential events in history, proving the truth of Christianity and the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus. 

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A BLESSED AND HAPPY EASTER

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