20 historical facts about Jesus and the Bible

Story by Alicia Delay

Jesus is central to Christianity, the largest religion in the world. Here’s a look at key historical facts and pivotal archaeological finds that pertain to his life.

Historical existence

Most scholars agree that Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical figure who lived in the 1st century CE. That said, there is “no definitive physical or archaeological evidence” of his existence. Scholars rely instead on detailed records of his life found in the four Gospels and other New Testament writings, corroborated by other sources.

Jewish background

Jewish and Roman historians alike agree on the existence of Jesus, who was born and lived as a Jew in the region of Judea and Galilee, which were part of the Roman Empire. They also agree that his teachings were deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. It is only in later history that Jesus has been viewed as not a Jew.

Birthplace

Jesus is thought to have been born in Bethlehem, although some accounts suggest Nazareth as his hometown. Some archaeologists, however, believe there is “strong evidence that Christ was born in a different Bethlehem, a small village in the Galilee.”

Baptism

According to three of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan, though there is no hard archaeological proof of this fact. There is also some debate about where, exactly, along the river Jesus was baptized’.

Itinerant preacher

According to the New Testament, Jesus was an itinerant preacher who travelled around, teaching and preaching about the Kingdom of God, repentance and ethical living. Scholarly works, such as The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant by New Testament scholar John Dominic Crossan, attest to this aspect of Jesus’s life.

Miracle worker

According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus performed miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead. There is no hard evidence of these miracles; however, there is speculation that people’s beliefs at the time may have contributed to this interpretation of Jesus’s acts.

The last supper

As described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus and his disciples shared a final meal to celebrate Passover. While there is no compelling evidence of this particular meal outside Biblical texts, two Italian archaeologists argue that the meal would likely have looked a bit different than the one depicted in Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, with attendees sitting on floor cushions, enjoying a meal of “bean stew, lamb, olives, bitter herbs, a fish sauce, unleavened bread, dates and aromatized wine.”

The crucifixion

According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus was sentenced to death by Jewish high priests and elders, and ordered to be crucified at Golgotha by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor at the time. Archaeologists have since found physical evidence of Roman crucifixions similar to that of Jesus, lending credibility to the New Testament texts.

The resurrection

According to the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John, Jesus was brought back to life by God three days after his death, and Mary Magdalene and his disciples witnessed his miraculous resurrection. While there is no hard non-Biblical evidence of this event, some scholars speculate that, as with Jesus’s miracles, belief in his resurrection may have taken root among people at the time due to their willingness to believe.

Flavius Josephus

First-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus is known to have mentioned Jesus twice in his extensive 20-volume history of the Jewish people. His work provides an early account of Jesus, including references to an unlawful execution and a man who “did surprising deeds” and was thus sentenced to death by crucifixion by Pontius Pilate.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1946 by young Bedouin shepherds in a cliffside cave near the Dead Sea. The texts include parts of nearly every book in the Old Testament and provide context for the time when Jesus lived.

The Pilate Stone

In Caesarea Maritima in 1961, a team of archaeologists discovered a piece of limestone inscribed with the name of Pontius Pilate, confirming the existence of the Roman prefect who presided over Jesus’s trial. Prior to this discovery, there had been no evidence that he existed.

The Caiaphas Ossuary

Discovered in a cave in Jerusalem in 1990, this limestone bone box is inscribed with the name of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest who also presided over Jesus’s arrest and trial. The existence of the box and the inscription provide evidence that Caiaphas, who was mentioned in the Gospels, existed.

The Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda was discovered in 1888 in Jerusalem. A century later, archaeologists discovered there were actually two pools. This detail is important because it matches the description found in the Gospel of John. The pool is mentioned in the Gospel as a site where Jesus healed a paralyzed man.

The Pool of Siloam

Also in Jerusalem, the Pool of Siloam was discovered in 2004 during an excavation to repair a sewage pipe. This pool was described in the Gospel of John as the site where Jesus restored sight to a man who was born blind.

The Synagogue at Capernaum

According to the four Gospels, Jesus is believed to have preached at the Capernaum Synagogue, whose ruins were rediscovered and identified in 1838, near the Sea of Galilee. The discovery sheds light on Jesus’s ministry.

The House of Peter

In 2022, new evidence was uncovered by archaeologists in Capernaum, likely confirming a house to be that of the Apostle Peter, where Jesus spent time.

The Nazareth Inscription

Acquired in 1878 by a collector and sent from Nazareth to Paris, this marble tablet is inscribed with an edict from Caesar prohibiting the stealing of bodies from tombs. Some believe the tablet refers to claims of Jesus’s resurrection, while others argue it was a call for law and order on a Greek island.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Considered the site of both Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection, this fourth-century church in Jerusalem is an important holy site and pilgrimage centre for Christians worldwide. The church itself has a storied past and has been the focus of numerous archaeological and historical studies.

The Sea of Galilee Boat

Discovered in 1986, this ancient fishing boat dates to the 1st century CE. The boat resembles one that Jesus and his disciples might have used, providing context to the Gospel stories involving boats and fishing on the Sea of Galilee.