What is the best evidence for a historical Jesus?

The best evidence for a historical Jesus comes from a combination of biblical and non-biblical sources, as well as the historical context in which he lived. Here are some key points:

Biblical Sources

• The Letters of Paul: These are the earliest surviving Christian texts, written between 48 and 62 CE, roughly 20 to 30 years after Jesus' death. Paul personally knew and interacted with eyewitnesses such as Peter, John, and James, the brother of Jesus3.
• The Gospels: While the Gospels were written later than Paul's letters, they are still considered early sources. The Gospel of Mark is generally dated to within forty years of the Crucifixion, with Matthew and Luke following soon after2.

Non-Biblical Sources

• Josephus: The Jewish historian Josephus mentions Jesus in his work Antiquities of the Jews (circa 93–94 CE), specifically referencing Jesus and his brother James3.
• Tacitus: The Roman historian Tacitus mentions Jesus in his Annals (circa 116 CE), noting that Jesus was executed by Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius3.
• Pliny the Younger: Although Pliny does not directly mention Jesus, he writes about early Christians and their worship practices, indirectly supporting the existence of a historical figure around whom the Christian movement formed1.

Historical Context and Scholarly Consensus

• Scholarly Agreement: The vast majority of scholars agree that a historical Jesus existed, although there is debate over the details of his life and teachings3.
• Criterion of Embarrassment: Events like Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist and his crucifixion are widely accepted as historical because they would have been embarrassing for early Christians to invent3.
• Multiple Attestation: The existence of Jesus is supported by multiple independent sources, both Christian and non-Christian, which is a strong criterion for historical reliability3.

Overall, the combination of early Christian texts, non-Christian historical references, and the historical context in which Jesus lived provides substantial evidence for his existence as a historical figure.