Non-Jewish Authors
What do non-Jews say about Jesus in their writings?
Thallus (52AD)
Possibly the earliest secular writer to mention Jesus.
His writings have not been found but are quoted by Julius Africanus (221AD)
Thallus confirms several historical elements of the Biblical narrative: Jesus lived in Judea, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and had followers who were persecuted for their faith in Christ.
Thallus argues that an eclipse of the sun caused the darkness at the time of Jesus crucifixion.
Tacitus (56 – 120 AD)
Senator under Emperor Vespasian and proconsul of Asia.
Among the most trusted historians.
In his “Annals” of 116AD he confirms that: Jesus lived in Judea, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and had followers who were persecuted for their faith in Him.
Pliny the Younger
Born A.D. 61.
Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor.
He talks about Christians and validates belief of Christ’s deity was long before the council of Nicaea:
“They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang an anthem to Christ as God, and bound themselves by a solemn oath not to commit any wicked deed…” – Letters, Series 10.
Mara Bar-Serapion (70AD)
A Syrian philosopher
He compared the life and persecution of Jesus with that of other philosophers who were persecuted for their ideas.
“What benefit did the Athenians obtain by putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as judgment for their crime. Or, the people of Samos for burning Pythagoras? In one moment their country was covered with sand. Or the Jews by murdering their wise king?…After that their kingdom was abolished. God rightly avenged these men…The wise king…Lived on in the teachings he enacted.”
He refers to Jesus as the “Wise King”.
Phlegon (80 – 140 AD)
Quoted by Origen – an early church theologian and scholar, born in Alexandria
Quotes from Origen:
“And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place … ”
“Jesus, while alive, was of no assistance to himself, but that he arose after death, and exhibited the marks of his punishment, and showed how his hands had been pierced by nails.”
Lucian of Samosata: (115 – 200 AD)
A Greek satirist who spoke sarcastically about Christ and Christians.
Although he is cynical, he confirms that Jesus and his followers are real and also what they believe:
“The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day—the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account….You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws.” (Lucian, The Death of Peregrine.)
