Historical Sources About Jesus

I have it heard it said that there is no proof outside the Bible that Jesus Christ really existed. In addition to the two I have added below there are many other sources that confirm that Jesus was a true historical figure.

Cornelius Tacitus is a famous Roman historian and lived from 55-120 AD. He wrote the Annals and the Histories along with other works. From this passage we can see that he was not a Christian, Christ was a real person, was killed by Pontius Pilot, and that his death quieted Christianity for a moment before it exploded all over Judea and Rome. That is a powerful testimony for the resurrection. We continue to read about the persecution of Christians that did not end the Gospel being preached or lived out.

Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.

Annals, Tacitus 15.44

Jesus is also mentioned in the Antiquities by Flavius Josephus around the year 90 AD. He was a Jewish Historian.

At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good and (he) was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.”

Antiquities 18:3