Time and deceit have hidden many things from us and our history. Here you will find ancient maps and documents that some would want hidden.
Outline:
I. Jesus’ life historically confirmed in ancient writings
II. The Talmud
III. The Masoretic Text
IV. Flavius Josephus
V. Pliny, the Elder
VI. Jerome
VII. Maps
In Progress — more info coming…
Jesus’ life historically confirmed in ancient writings:
Have you ever heard anyone said they don’t believe Jesus even existed and that the Bible stories of him are just made up? Well, here are a few historical authors who recorded the events of history involving Jesus:
— Tacitus (Publius Cornelius Tacitus), a Roman historian and senator wrote in AD 55-117 in his Annals, Book XV:
“Christus… suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition… broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome…”
This confirms the miracles and puts Jesus in the exact time in history when Pontius Pilate reigned during the reign of Tiberius Caesar.
— Sextus Julius Africanus was a Christian who compiled a “Chronology” — a history of the world in 5 volumes. He lived AD 160-240. In this quote from his Chronography XVII, he references two other historians of that time: Thallus (Thallos) and Phlegon.
“On the whole world there pressed the most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. In the third book of his Histories, Thallos dismisses this darkness as a solar eclipse. In my opinion this is nonsense. … Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth — manifestly that one of which we speak.”
This confirms the earthquake and darkness at the crucifixion. This text by Phlegon was also referred to by Origen of Alexander (182-254 AD) in “Against Celsus” (Book II, Chapter XIV). Another historian, Eusebius, referenced Phlegon’s quote, as well, in Book 2 of his Chronicle (314 AD).
Luke 23:44-45 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Matthew 27:51 and, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; …
— In the Talmud Sanhedrin 43a, it states:
“On the eve of Passover, they hung Jeshu [the Nazarene]. And the crier went forth before him… saying… He hath practiced magic and deceived and led Israel astray. “
This confirms His fame as a teacher, His reputation for performing miracles and His crucifixion at Passover. [Note: there is debate about whether or not this passage refers to Jesus, or another “Jeshu”.]
— Flavius Josephus, a Roman-Jewish historian, wrote the following in his Antiquities (early 2nd century A.D.) Book 18, Ch 3, Part 3:
“Now there arose at this time a source of further trouble in one Jesus, a wise man who performed surprising works, a teacher of men who gladly welcomed strange things. He led away many Jews, and also many of the Gentiles. He was the so-called Christ. When Pilate, acting on information supplied by the chief men around us, condemned him to the cross …”
This confirms the existence of Jesus and some of the things that he did and was known for doing.
The Talmud — It is the rabbinic writings which debate how the law should be followed and other philosophical and interpretive discussions for Hebrews and Jews.
The Masoretic Text — This refers to the Hebrew Bible (both today and from early days) and is the basis for some English Bible translations of the Old Testament from Hebrew and Aramaic, specifically the King James Version, the English Standard Version, the New International Version, the New American Standard Bible and some Catholic Bibles. The earliest complete document of the Masoretic Text that we have found is the Leningrad Codex from the 11th century.
Flavius Josephus —
Pliny, the Elder
Jerome
Maps