The Most Important Event in History—And the Best Supported: Jesus's Resurrection

Nearly two thousand years ago, on a Sunday morning in Jerusalem, something happened that altered the course of history forever. A tomb that had been occupied on Friday was found empty. That moment—Easter Sunday—became the foundation of the Christian faith. It is not merely a religious holiday; it is the defining event of human history, a claim so staggering that it demands the attention of every thinking person.

The question before us is as simple as it is profound: Did Jesus Christ actually rise from the dead?

If He did, then everything He claimed—His divinity, His teachings, and His promise of eternal life—must be true. If He did not, then Christianity collapses, and Jesus is either a fraud or a tragic figure whose followers were deceived. There is no middle ground.

The resurrection is not merely a matter of faith—it is a historical claim. Like any historical event, it must be analyzed, tested, and scrutinized. Whether one embraces or rejects its implications, the only rational approach is to follow the evidence. When examined through the rigorous lens of historical inquiry, the resurrection of Jesus Christ emerges not as a hopeful myth, but as the most well-supported supernatural event in human history.

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The Historical Certainty of Jesus of Nazareth

Before we can examine whether Jesus rose from the dead, we must first establish that He was, in fact, a real historical person. While this may seem obvious, a surprising number of modern skeptics—particularly in online atheist circles—claim that Jesus was a myth, akin to Zeus or Horus.

This argument, however, is so historically indefensible that even atheist and agnostic scholars reject it outright.

1.1 The Scholarly Consensus on Jesus’ Existence

Serious historians—whether secular or religious—overwhelmingly affirm that Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical figure. This is not a matter of theological bias but of historical consensus.

Bart Ehrman, an agnostic scholar and one of the leading experts on early Christianity, flatly states:

“The idea that Jesus never existed is so ridiculous that it is not even worth debating. The reality is that every serious scholar in the field—Christian, Jewish, agnostic, or atheist—agrees that Jesus was a real historical person.”

Likewise, Maurice Casey, an atheist scholar, affirms:

“No serious historian doubts the existence of Jesus of Nazareth.”

Even John Dominic Crossan, a skeptic and a member of the Jesus Seminar, concedes:

“That Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate is as sure as anything historical can ever be.”

These statements make it clear that the historical reality of Jesus is beyond serious dispute. Even scholars who reject Christianity acknowledge that Jesus of Nazareth existed, lived in first-century Judea, and was crucified under the authority of Pontius Pilate.

1.2 Ancient Non-Christian Sources Confirm Jesus’ Existence

Even without the Bible, we possess over 40 independent ancient sources that confirm Jesus’ life, crucifixion, and the rapid rise of His followers. These sources come from Roman, Jewish, and Greek historians who had no reason to fabricate Jesus’ existence—and, in many cases, were openly hostile to Christianity.

Roman Sources

• Tacitus (Annals 15.44, c. 116 AD) – The highly respected Roman historian wrote:

“Christus, from whom the name [Christians] had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of Pontius Pilate.”

This confirms two critical details: that Jesus was crucified under Pilate and that Christians worshipped Him as Christ.

• Pliny the Younger (Letters 10.96-97, c. 112 AD) – A Roman governor wrote:

“Christians were singing hymns to Christ as to a god.”

This tells us that early Christians worshiped Jesus as divine from the very beginning—a belief that was not a later invention.

Jewish Sources

• Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3, c. 93 AD) – The Jewish historian, who was not a Christian, recorded:

“Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man… was condemned to be crucified by Pilate. But his disciples reported that he had appeared to them alive again.”

As a hostile witness, Josephus confirms both the crucifixion of Jesus and the claim of His resurrection.

• The Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) – Jewish sources claim:

“Jesus practiced sorcery and led Israel astray.”

This is an implicit admission that Jesus performed miracles, though His enemies attributed them to sorcery rather than divine power.

Greek Sources

• Lucian of Samosata (2nd century AD) – A Greek satirist mocks Christians for worshiping:

“The crucified sage.”

Even critics of Christianity acknowledged that Jesus was crucified and worshipped.

1.3 The Insufficiency of the “Myth” Theory

Skeptics who claim that Jesus was invented must answer some difficult questions:

• Why would hostile Jewish and Roman sources confirm His crucifixion?

• Why would early Christians invent a crucified Messiah—when crucifixion was considered the ultimate shame in the ancient world?

• How could Christianity spread so rapidly in a hostile Roman empire if its central figure never existed?

The best explanation is that Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person who lived, taught, and was crucified.

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The Crucifixion—The Most Certain Event in Antiquity

Even the harshest critics of Christianity agree that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

This is attested in:

• All four Gospels

• Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

• Tacitus, Josephus, Lucian, and the Talmud

2.1 The Romans Were Master Executioners

The Roman Empire was known for its brutal efficiency in executions. Crucifixion was a slow, agonizing death designed to publicly humiliate and torture criminals. It was not the kind of punishment one could survive by accident.

• The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, March 1986) published a forensic analysis concluding that Jesus “most certainly died” from asphyxiation and hypovolemic shock.

• The swoon theory—which suggests Jesus somehow survived—fails for several reasons:

1. Roman executioners were experts. If Jesus had shown any signs of life, they would have ensured His death.

2. The spear thrust (John 19:34) resulted in “blood and water,” indicating pericardial rupture—a fatal condition.

3. Jesus’ physical condition would have made it impossible for Him to escape, roll away the stone, and convince His disciples He had “conquered death.”

The best explanation? Jesus was truly dead.

The Empty Tomb—The Greatest Mystery in History

With Jesus’ death firmly established, we now turn to the central mystery: What happened to His body?

Even Jesus’ enemies—both Jewish and Roman—admitted that the tomb was empty. Instead of denying this fact, they scrambled to explain it. The earliest Jewish response was not, “The body is still in the tomb,” but rather, “The disciples stole the body” (Matthew 28:13). This reaction is incredibly telling. It acknowledges that the tomb was, in fact, empty.

If Jesus’ body had remained in the tomb, the Jewish authorities or the Roman government could have easily shut down Christianity by producing His corpse. But they never did.

3.1 The Burial in a Known Tomb

One of the most significant aspects of the resurrection account is that Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin—the very council that had condemned Him. This detail is important because:

1. It eliminates the possibility of a misplaced grave. Joseph’s tomb was well known, making it easy to verify whether Jesus’ body was still there.

2. It confirms Jesus had a proper burial. Skeptics sometimes argue that crucified criminals were thrown into mass graves, but the historical record—both biblical and non-biblical—shows that Jesus received an individual tomb.

Had the resurrection been a fabrication, it is highly unlikely that early Christians would have invented a burial involving a prominent member of the Jewish leadership. This would have made it far too easy for their opponents to disprove.

3.2 The Guarded Tomb and the Roman Seal

Matthew’s Gospel records that the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:62-66). While skeptics debate the authenticity of this account, the logic behind it is clear:

• The Jewish authorities had every reason to prevent any claims of resurrection, knowing Jesus had predicted He would rise.

• The Roman government had no interest in fabricating such a story; if anything, they would want to maintain order and prevent unrest.

The presence of a Roman seal on the tomb was no trivial matter. Breaking a Roman seal was punishable by death. Moreover, Roman guards were trained to guard prisoners under the threat of execution if they failed.

If the tomb was truly guarded, how could the disciples—who had fled in fear—overpower Roman soldiers, break the seal, and steal the body?

3.3 Alternative Explanations for the Empty Tomb Fail

Skeptics have proposed several explanations for why Jesus’ tomb was empty. None hold up under scrutiny.

Hallucination Theory

Some claim the disciples only thought they saw Jesus because of grief-induced hallucinations. However, this theory collapses for multiple reasons:

1. Hallucinations are private, not group experiences. Jesus appeared to individuals (Mary Magdalene, Peter, Paul) and to groups of people at different times and locations—including 500 people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).

2. Hallucinations do not eat and drink. The Gospels record Jesus eating with His disciples after His resurrection (Luke 24:41-43, John 21:12-14).

3. Hallucinations do not explain the empty tomb. Even if the disciples hallucinated seeing Jesus, His body would have remained in the grave.

The Stolen Body Theory

This theory suggests the disciples stole Jesus’ body and fabricated the resurrection. However, this fails for several reasons:

1. The tomb was guarded. If Roman soldiers were present, a grave robbery would have been impossible.

2. The disciples had no motive. They had nothing to gain and everything to lose—persecution, torture, and execution.

3. Liars do not willingly die for their lies. History records that the apostles endured imprisonment, beatings, and martyrdom. Why suffer for something they knew was false?

The Wrong Tomb Theory

Some argue that the women who first arrived at the tomb simply went to the wrong location. This theory is weak because:

1. Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb was well known. It was not an unmarked grave; it belonged to a prominent member of the Jewish council.

2. If it were a mistake, the Jewish leaders could have corrected it. The easiest way to disprove the resurrection would have been to point people to the correct tomb and produce Jesus’ body.

The only explanation that accounts for all the facts—the empty tomb, the missing body, and the appearances of Jesus—is that He actually rose from the dead.

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The Transformation of the Disciples—From Fearful to Fearless

One of the most powerful evidences for the resurrection is the radical transformation of Jesus’ followers. Before the resurrection, they were frightened, disillusioned, and in hiding. Afterward, they became bold, fearless, and willing to suffer and die for their proclamation that Jesus was alive.

4.1 The Disciples’ Behavior Before and After the Resurrection

Before Jesus’ crucifixion, His disciples displayed fear and weakness:

• Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62).

• The disciples fled in terror when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50-52).

• They hid behind locked doors in fear of the Jewish authorities (John 20:19).

Yet, after encountering the risen Jesus, these same men:

• Peter boldly preached in Jerusalem that Jesus had risen, knowing it could cost him his life (Acts 2:14-36).

• James, Jesus’ skeptical brother, became a leader of the church and was martyred (Acts 12:1-2).

• Paul, a violent persecutor of Christians, converted and became the greatest missionary in history.

4.2 The Martyrdom of the Disciples

History tells us that many of Jesus’ closest followers chose torture and death rather than deny what they had seen.

These men did not die for a metaphor or a moral philosophy. They died for a specific claim: that they had seen Jesus risen from the dead.

4.3 Why Skeptical Theories Fail

Some skeptics argue that other religions also have martyrs, so the disciples’ willingness to die does not prove Christianity is true. However, there is a critical difference:

• Modern religious martyrs die for beliefs they received from others.

• The disciples died for what they personally witnessed.

If Jesus had not actually risen, the disciples would have known their message was false. No one knowingly dies for a lie.

The best explanation for their transformation is that they truly saw the risen Jesus.

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The Explosion of Christianity—A Movement Without Precedent

Christianity did not spread gradually over centuries. It exploded.

• Within 20 years, the Gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome.

• Within three centuries, it had overtaken the Roman Empire—without military force, political power, or financial advantage.

What explains this unprecedented growth?

• If Jesus had not risen, Christianity would have died with Him.

• Yet His followers boldly proclaimed His resurrection—and the world changed forever.

The only explanation that accounts for the empty tomb, the resurrection appearances, and the transformation of Jesus’ followers is that Jesus actually rose from the dead.