100 Words: Historicity of Jesus, from Extra-Biblical Sources (Part 1)

Cornelius Tacitus. First century Roman historian, known for his analysis and examination of historical documents and is among the most trusted of ancient historians.

In his Annals of Imperial Rome, wrote about a man named “Christus” who “suffered the extreme penalty… at the hands of… Pontius Pilatus.” This man apparently started “a most mischievous superstition” and was followed by a group of peoples referred to as “ Christians by the populace.”

Tacitus thus confirms some historical elements of the Biblical narrative, including: Christ’s crucifixion, the timing of the crucifixion, at the hands of Pontius, started a following (who were persecuted for their faith).

For Part 2, click here.