Details of Jesus rising from the dead found in 2,000-year-old text
An ancient manuscript, written by a non-Christian historian nearly 2,000 years ago, may hold a written account of Jesus rising from the dead after the crucifixion.
TL;DR
- A researcher suggests that an ancient passage by Flavius Josephus might contain the earliest written account of Jesus rising from the dead.
- The passage, known as the Testimonium Flavianum, appears in 'Jewish Antiquities,' written around AD 93-94.
- Comparing Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Syriac versions, the researcher found differences that suggest later Christian additions.
- Phrases like 'fulfilled prophecy' are identified as likely Christian interpolations, suggesting Josephus may have originally reported the followers' beliefs without affirming them.
- The researcher proposes that an earlier version likely recorded what Jesus' followers reported, which was later expanded by Christians to state Jesus' resurrection and fulfillment of prophecy.
- Scholars have long questioned other parts of the passage, such as the declaration that Jesus 'was the Christ,' as later additions.