The Evidence
Historical Evidences
Archaeological and historical corroboration of biblical accounts
Apostolic Martyrdom as Evidence of Sincere Belief
high confidenceEarly Church
The willingness of the apostles to die for their testimony of the risen Jesus demonstrates the sincerity of their belief.
Belshazzar as Co-Regent of Babylon
high confidenceArchaeology (Neo-Babylonian)
Cuneiform recoveries from the 19th century forward show Belshazzar - named king in Daniel 5 - was Nabonidus's eldest son and co-regent in Babylon, reversing a standard 19th-century objection to Daniel.
Caiaphas Ossuary Discovery
high confidenceNamed Figures
A 1990 discovery in a Jerusalem burial cave revealed an ornate ossuary inscribed "Yehosef bar Kayafa" — widely identified with the Caiaphas who presided at the trial of Jesus.
Early Church Creedal Formulas
high confidenceEarly Church
The earliest Christian creeds date to within years of the crucifixion, far too early for legendary development.
Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
high confidenceTextual Evidence
The Book of Acts has been confirmed in dozens of specific historical details by archaeological discoveries.
Non-Biblical References to Jesus
high confidenceExtra-Biblical Evidence
Multiple non-Christian ancient sources confirm the historical existence and key facts about Jesus of Nazareth.
The Cyrus Cylinder
high confidenceArchaeology (Persian)
The Cyrus Cylinder (539 BCE), recovered in Babylon in 1879, records Cyrus's policy of returning captive peoples to their homelands - the pattern behind the decree of Ezra 1:1-4.
The Erastus Inscription at Corinth
high confidenceNamed Figures
A first-century Latin inscription in the Corinth agora names Erastus, the aedile who laid a pavement at his own expense — widely identified with the Erastus described by Paul as treasurer (οἰκονόμος) of the city.
The Gallio Inscription at Delphi
high confidenceNamed Figures
A stone fragment at Delphi preserves a letter from the emperor Claudius naming Gallio as proconsul of Achaia — providing the single most important external anchor for dating Paul's ministry in Corinth.
The Nazareth Inscription
high confidenceArchaeology (Roman)
A Greek imperial edict against disturbing tombs, obtained from Nazareth in 1878 and dated to the early imperial period. Recent isotopic work complicates the once-confident Gospel connection.
The Pilate Inscription at Caesarea Maritima
high confidenceArchaeology (Roman Provincial)
A 1961 discovery at Caesarea - a Latin dedicatory stone naming Pontius Pilate as Praefectus Iudaeae - anchors the Gospel reference in hard epigraphy.
The Pool of Siloam Discovery (2004)
high confidenceArchaeology (Second Temple)
In 2004, Jerusalem sewer work exposed a Second Temple-period stepped pool at the southern end of the City of David - matching the topographical cues of John 9:7.
The Resurrection: Historical Case
high confidenceCore Evidence
The bodily resurrection of Jesus is supported by multiple independent lines of historical evidence that are difficult to explain by any alternative hypothesis.
The Tel Dan Stele - "House of David"
high confidenceArchaeology (Iron Age)
The 1993-1994 Tel Dan inscription, c. 840 BCE, contains the phrase BYTDWD ("House of David") - the oldest extrabiblical reference to David.