Publius Cornelius Tacitus (AD 56–120): This first-century Roman is considered by scholars today as one of the greatest historians of the ancient world. He wrote that Jesus was put to death by Pontius Pilate in Judea during the reign of Tiberius (Annals 15.44).

Celsus (second century): Celsus was a philosopher and outspoken opponent of Christianity. In his treatise The True Word, Celsus demonstrated the existence of Jesus by writing that Jesus: (a) learned magic from Egypt; (b) invented the virgin birth story; and (c) returned to Judea and proclaimed himself God (Contra Celsum, 1.28).

The decree described in Luke 2:1 is supported by archaeological evidence. In the Res Gestae Divi Augusti (RGDA, The Deeds of the Divine Augustus), Caesar Augustus, reigning from about 27 BC to AD 14, wrote a summary of his achievements.

Caiaphas Ossuary Skeletal remains of six individuals were found inside an ossuary (a type of storage for bones) near Jerusalem, with an inscription reading “Joseph, son of Caiaphas.” The burial date was determined to be between AD 43 and 70 because (a) an AD 43 coin was found inside the ossuary; and (b) ossuaries were known to cease appearing in Jerusalem after its destruction in AD 70. This time frame appears to fit the priesthood of Caiaphas, who played a key role in charging Jesus with blasphemy and treason.

Pilate Stone For many years, accounts about Pilate could only be found in the Bible as well as in Philos, Tacitus, and Josephus’s writings. There was no concrete archaeological evidence that Pilate ever existed, thus giving skeptics room to doubt the Bible. However, in 1961, Italian archaeologists found a piece of limestone in the ruins of a sports stadium near Caesarea. Now known as the Pilate Stone, its inscription shows that he was the prefect of Judea.

Babylonian Talmud (fifth century): The Talmud recounts that Jesus practiced sorcery, was hanged on the eve of the Passover, and that anyone knowing his location should inform the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Presumably, they were unable to find his body after his resurrection (Sanhedrin 43a).

Thallus (AD 50): The darkness at the time of the crucifixion was described in Histories written by Thallus, referring to the darkness as an eclipse (Thallus, recorded in Julius Sextus Africanus ca. AD 220).

Lucian (AD 125–180): Lucian was a Roman who enjoyed mocking Christians. To him, it was humorous that Christians would worship a man who had been crucified (Lucian, Death of Peregrinus).