Justin Martyr records many other events from the life of Jesus, but often he reports that his data was gleaned from the Scripture.24 These references here will suffice to provide numerous examples of Justin’s interest in Jesus’ actual life on earth.
Synopsis of Christian Sources
In this chapter we have investigated five early Christian sources for the historicity of Jesus, all of which were extra-New Testament. Our intent was not to examine all the passages that spoke of Jesus, but only those which claimed to report historical data. Additionally, we limited our discussion to the life of Jesus, thereby overlooking material concerning early Christian origins. A synopsis of this material provides the listing of numerous details.
The Life of Jesus
These ancient Christian sources taught that Jesus really did live on earth in human history (Ignatius) after being born as a man (Barnabas). He was from the tribe of Judah (Justin), from the family of Jesse (Justin) and of the lineage of David (Ignatius). Jesus was born of Mary (Ignatius), a virgin (Ignatius, Justin), in the city of Bethlehem (Justin). It is even reported that Bethlehem was located about five miles from Jerusalem and that his birth could be verified by the records of Cyrenius, the first procurator of Judea (Justin). Later, he was visited by Arabian Magi, who had first visited Herod (Justin).
Concerning his public ministry, these sources record Jesus’ baptism by John (Ignatius) and his choosing of apostles (Barnabas, Justin). There are also reports of miracles performed by Jesus (Quadratus, Barnabas, Justin). Here it is carefully pointed out that these miracles consisted of people being both healed and raised from the dead, concerning which it is asserted that some of the eyewitnesses to these events were still alive (Quadratus). It is also claimed that Pilate filed a report with the officials at Rome which corroborated these details (Justin). Additionally, we are told that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, thereby validating his claims (Justin).
The Teachings of Jesus
These sources also record some of Jesus’ important teachings. It is related that he preached and taught Israel, a people whom he loved (Barnabas). He exhorted the Jews to repent, yet they did not do so even after he rose from the dead, an event which Jesus had predicted ahead of time (Justin).
Jesus’ major teaching was the nature of the gospel, which he received from God and later imparted to his apostles (Clement, Barnabas). It is asserted that the apostles were fully assured of the truthfulness of the message and that they, in turn, preached the Kingdom of God in various towns and countries. Where this message went, it was accompanied by the organizing of churches, complete with the choosing of leaders such as bishops and deacons (Clement).
The Death of Jesus
These early Christian writers were careful to point to the facticity of Jesus’ death by crucifixion (Ignatius, Barnabas, Justin). They sought to link it firmly to history, such as with the assertion that this event occurred during the governorship of Pontius Pilate and the reign of Herod (Ignatius). Details of the crucifixion are also provided, such as Jesus being nailed to the cross (Ignatius, Justin) while his clothing was divided among his assassins (Justin). Jesus hung on the cross until evening, after which he was taken down and buried (Justin). During this period of time, his friends forsook and denied him (Justin).
The Resurrection of Jesus
These Christians were equally adamant in their belief that Jesus’ resurrection is also a fact of history (Clement, Ignatius, Justin). This event occurred on the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion in spite of the Jewish claim that the disciples stole the body (Justin).
Evidencing the fact that he had been raised from the dead, Jesus appeared to Peter and the other disciples (Ignatius, Justin). During these encounters, Jesus allowed and even encouraged the disciples to touch his risen flesh, which they did (Ignatius). Jesus also ate and drank with his followers (Ignatius) and taught them concerning how he had fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (Justin). Later, Jesus ascended to heaven (Justin, cf. Quadratus).
These early Christian authors asserted that Jesus’ resurrection provided the assurance that the gospel which he preached was ordained by God (Clement). This event was an example of the believer’s resurrection and was the reason why the disciples despised death (Ignatius).
Summary and Conclusion
What value do these early extra-New Testament sources have in reconstructing a historical life of Jesus? Do such Christian authors provide any exceptional evidence for the death and resurrection? Actually, there are both positive and negative considerations in such questions.
Positively, the Christian sources presented in this chapter are early. Clement wrote at the end of the first century, or at approximately the same time as some of the later New Testament writings. Ignatius’ seven books date from about fifteen to twenty years later. These men were also close to apostolic sources, as is evident from their own works,25 and from other early testimony.26
Another factor is that some of these early authors were scholars or leaders in their own right. Clement and Ignatius were well-known bishops in the early church,27 while Justin was a rather distinguished philosopher.28 Additionally, these writers were frequently careful to cite evidence for their assertions. Clement and Ignatius referred to the resurrection as the basis for Christian truth. Quadratus backed his testimony with eyewitness testimony concerning Jesus’ miracles. Justin referred to miracles and fulfilled prophecy as evidence.
However, in spite of these early sources, scholarly testimonies and citings of evidence, there are also weaknesses in our usage of these sources. Initially, it is obvious that these writings rely on the New Testament for much of their data, as is specifically reported by Justin.29 That they do so is certainly not a weakness in itself, for we have argued repeatedly that the New Testament is a good historical source. However, the point is that if they rely on the New Testament, then they are not totally extra-New Testament, and the object of this work is to ascertain what evidence of this latter kind is available.
It should also be remembered that the purpose of these writers was not a critical investigation of history per se, but the reporting of Christian origins. While such is certainly a fair and worthwhile approach, and can yield historical facts, additional evidence could also strengthen the case.
Such additional, corroborative data is partially available from the secular sources in Chapter 9, where many of the reports confirm the citings singled out here, especially with regard to the teachings and crucifixion of Jesus. There are also parallels concerning his life and the reports of his resurrection. Thus we continue to witness the ancient corroboration of Jesus’ story. As we have said, he is actually one of the most-mentioned figures in the ancient world.
1Therefore, some well-known works such as the Shepherd of Hermas will not be included in this discussion at all, since it contains little that might be counted as historical information concerning Jesus.
2Quotations from the apostolic fathers are taken from J.B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers.
3Clement of Rome, Corinthians, 42.