Here’s a helpful list over at Biblical Archaeology Society of the 30 New Testament people that have also been found mentioned in other sources from the period. Those other sources are letters, books, inscriptions, and coins. Here are a few takeaways from this list:
- Jesus is mentioned in five contemporary sources other than the New Testament. I wasn’t aware that it was that many.
- Josephus! It’s surprising just how many New Testament figures are confirmed by this Jewish writer, and only by him. We owe this strange figure a debt of gratitude.
- The New Testament is clearly careful and accurate with its historical information. The tendency to dismiss it as unreliable for historical data because of its theological agenda is muddle-headed.
- I can’t wait for more figures to be confirmed as more sources are discovered and deciphered. If you think that’s unlikely, consider the fact that the Herculaneum scrolls are just now being deciphered for the first time in history. Could they contain references to other figures mentioned in the New Testament, but not yet found elsewhere?
Here’s a sample of the chart. Check out the full one here.
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Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Entrusted to the Dirt 
