While the Bible provides accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there are no extrabiblical witnesses that directly attest to the event. However, some non-Christian sources from the 1st and 2nd centuries mention Jesus or the early Christian movement, which some interpret as indirect confirmations of the resurrection. Keep in mind that these sources are not comprehensive and require careful historical analysis. Here are a few examples:
· Flavius Josephus (37-100 AD): A Jewish historian who wrote about Jesus in his work “Antiquities of the Jews.” While the passage is disputed among scholars, some see it as an independent confirmation of Jesus’ existence and execution.
· Tacitus (56-120 AD): A Roman historian who mentioned Jesus and his execution by Pontius Pilate in his work “Annals.”
· Pliny the Younger (61-113 AD): A Roman administrator who wrote about early Christian worship and the veneration of Christ, which some argue implies the resurrection.
· Thallus (1st century AD): A historian who wrote about an eclipse and earthquake during the crucifixion, which some link to the resurrection account.
· Mara bar Sarapion (1st-3rd century AD): A Stoic philosopher who compared the deaths of Socrates, Pythagoras, and Jesus, potentially acknowledging the resurrection.
· Suetonius (69-122 AD): A Roman historian who mentioned the expulsion of Jews from Rome, possibly related to the early Christian movement.
· Celsus (2nd century AD): A Greek philosopher who wrote critically about Christianity, including the resurrection, which some argue acknowledges its centrality to Christian beliefs.
It’s important to note that these sources are not definitive proof of the resurrection and require careful historical analysis and interpretation. The debate among scholars continues, and the Bible remains the primary source for understanding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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