The Resurrection: Evidence That Still Stuns Historians
The Resurrection: Evidence That Still Stuns Historians
Let’s be honest—if someone told you their friend came back from the dead, you’d be skeptical. Dead people stay dead. That’s just how life works.
But what if there was actual evidence—eyewitness accounts, historical records, and inexplicable events—that made even skeptical historians pause?
The resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a religious belief. It’s a historical claim with evidence that still leaves experts scratching their heads. Here’s why.
1. The Empty Tomb: A Fact Even Critics Can’t Explain
The Historical Record
All four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) agree:
Jesus was buried in a known tomb.
Three days later, the tomb was empty.
Women discovered it first—a detail no ancient writer would invent (women’s testimony wasn’t highly regarded back then).
Even Jesus’ enemies didn’t deny the tomb was empty. Instead, they claimed the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:11-15).
Problem with the "Stolen Body" Theory:
The disciples were terrified and hiding (John 20:19). Would they really risk a Roman execution to steal a corpse?
If they had the body, why would they all die for a lie?
Modern Scholars Agree
Even skeptical historians like Bart Ehrman admit:
"The tomb was probably empty. That’s why the 'stolen body' story was invented."
2. Eyewitnesses Who Died for What They Saw
People die for beliefs all the time. But here’s the catch: The disciples didn’t just die for what they believed—they died for what they claimed to see.
Peter was crucified upside down.
James was beheaded.
Thomas was speared to death in India.
If they made it up, why didn’t at least one of them confess to save their life?
The Hallucination Theory (And Why It Fails)
Some suggest the disciples hallucinated Jesus alive. But:
Hallucinations are private, not shared by 500+ people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).
They don’t explain the empty tomb.
People don’t die for hallucinations they know aren’t real.
3. The Explosive Growth of the Early Church
If the resurrection was a hoax, Christianity should have died out immediately. Instead:
3,000 converts in one day (Acts 2:41) in the same city where Jesus was crucified.
Roman records show Christians multiplying rapidly—even under persecution.
Why? Because people saw the evidence. They talked to eyewitnesses. They couldn’t explain the empty tomb.
4. Jesus’ Brother James: From Skeptic to Martyr
James (Jesus’ half-brother) didn’t believe in Him during His ministry (John 7:5). But after the resurrection?
He became a leader of the Jerusalem church.
He was stoned to death for refusing to deny Jesus.
What changed him? He claimed to see the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7). Would he die for a lie about his own brother?
5. The Roman Guard’s Incompetent Cover-Up
The Jewish leaders paid the guards to say, "His disciples stole the body while we slept" (Matthew 28:11-15).
But think about that:
If the guards were sleeping, how did they know who took the body?
Roman soldiers faced execution for failing their duty. Would they really admit to falling asleep on watch?
The story was flimsy—even ancient critics mocked it.
6. The Missing Body Was Never Found
If Jesus’ body was still in the tomb, all the authorities had to do was:
Produce the body.
End Christianity on the spot.
They never did.
7. The Disciples’ Sudden Boldness
Before the resurrection:
Peter denied Jesus three times to a servant girl (Luke 22:54-62).
The disciples hid in fear (John 20:19).
After the resurrection:
They preached openly in Jerusalem—the same city where Jesus was killed.
They faced beatings, imprisonment, and death without backing down.
What explains this overnight transformation? They saw Jesus alive.
Why This Matters for You Today
The resurrection isn’t just history—it changes everything:
If Jesus beat death, He can beat anything in your life.
If He kept this promise, He’ll keep all His others.
If He rose, then His claim to be God is true.
Final Thought: What Will You Do With the Evidence?
This isn’t about blind faith. It’s about testable facts.
If a man really died and came back to life—and the evidence says He did—then His message is the most important one you’ll ever hear.
Question: If the resurrection is true, what difference would that make in your life today?