Was Jesus a Real Person?

Here’s the Historical Proof

May 22, 2025

Welcome friend,

I’m Mark, and this space is for the wanderers, the worn out, and the ones still wrestling with God at 2 a.m. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the One who does—and I’m learning to trust Him more.

If this message meets you where you are, stick around. Subscribe, share, or simply pray with me as we walk this narrow road together.

And, if you feel lead to support my ministry, be sure to buy the next coffee! God Bless!

Buy Me a Coffee

A lot of people wonder:
Did Jesus Christ really exist? Or is He just a made-up story to inspire people?

That’s a fair question. And the answer is actually very clear—yes, Jesus was a real person in history. Even historians who don’t believe in God agree on this.

Let me show you why.

1. We Have Real Historical Sources

In ancient history, we’re lucky if we get one record that mentions someone. But with Jesus, we have several non-Christian sources who wrote about Him. That’s a big deal.

Tacitus (a Roman historian)

He wrote around the year AD 115 that Jesus (he called Him “Christus”) was crucified by Pontius Pilate during the rule of Emperor Tiberius.

Josephus (a Jewish historian)

He lived in the first century and talked about Jesus and His brother James. He also said that Jesus was called “the Christ.”

Pliny the Younger (a Roman governor)

He wrote a letter around AD 112 saying that Christians worshiped Jesus like a god.

Mara bar Serapion (a Syrian philosopher)

He wrote a letter to his son comparing Jesus to wise teachers like Socrates and called Him “the wise king of the Jews.”

Lucian of Samosata (a Greek comedian)

He made fun of Christians for following a man who was crucified in Palestine. That man was Jesus.

Even people who didn’t like Christians admitted Jesus was real and had followers.

2. The Bible Is Also a Historical Source

Some people say, “But the Bible is biased!”

That’s true—it’s written by believers. But all historical records are biased in some way. That doesn’t mean they’re fake.

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) were written close to the time Jesus lived. Some parts were written just 30–60 years later—very early for ancient history.

Even Bart Ehrman, a well-known agnostic (someone who doesn’t believe in God), says:

“Jesus existed, and we can know some things about Him with relative certainty.”

3. The Stories Are Too Embarrassing to Be Fake

Here’s something cool: the Gospels include a lot of embarrassing details.

Peter denies Jesus 3 times.
The disciples run away in fear.
Women are the first to find the empty tomb (but back then, women weren’t considered reliable witnesses).

If someone made all this up, why would they make themselves look so bad?
Answer: they didn’t.
They just told the truth.

4. The Church Exploded After Jesus Died

After Jesus was crucified, His followers started preaching everywhere—even though it was dangerous. They weren’t trying to get rich or famous. Most of them were killed for their faith.

People don’t die for something they know is a lie.
But they might die for something they know is true.

5. So… What Will You Do With Jesus?

History tells us that Jesus really lived. He taught, He healed, He was crucified, and His followers claimed He rose from the dead.

So now you know He’s real.
But the bigger question is: Will you follow Him?

Sources:

Tacitus, Annals 15.44
Josephus, Antiquities 18 & 20
Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96
Mara bar Serapion, Letter to His Son
Lucian of Samosata, The Passing of Peregrinus
Bart Ehrman, Did Jesus Exist?

Conclusion

Jesus wasn’t a myth.
He was a real person who changed the world—and He can still change yours today.

Call to Repentance
If you’ve been trying to earn your way into heaven, it’s time to stop striving and start surrendering. Today can be the day everything changes. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Don’t wait for a better moment. Turn from your sin, believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and receive the gift of eternal life. He is calling—respond to Him today.

Call to Action
If this message spoke to your heart, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with someone you love—and make sure to subscribe so you never miss more biblical truth, encouragement, and hope. Let’s walk this journey of faith together.

Support Our Ministry
If you’ve been encouraged by what you’ve read, consider helping us serve our community more effectively. Every donation made through Buy Me a Coffee goes directly to supporting Just People, a local non-profit organization dedicated to meeting real needs and sharing hope right here in our town.
Want to learn more about their mission?
Check them out on Facebook: Just People – Facebook Page
Your support helps us put faith into action—one person at a time. Thank you for being part of the mission.