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In the politically charged and religiously diverse landscape of 1st-century Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth emerged as a unique figure, not just another itinerant preacher.

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His messages of repentance and spiritual renewal resonated with a wide audience that included common folks like peasants and fishermen, as well as more influential figures such as Pharisees and Roman officials.

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His existence is documented beyond just the Christian texts. Roman historian Tacitus noted in 116 CE that “Christus… suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius,” while Jewish historian Josephus referred to him as “a wise man… who performed surprising deeds.”

 

What truly set Jesus apart wasn't merely his crucifixion but the remarkable transformation seen in his followers. Before his trial, they were fearful and disheartened; however, mere weeks after his death, they bravely proclaimed the message of his resurrection.

In the Book of Acts, we find accounts of them leaving the confines of the “upper room” to boldly declare, “Jesus is alive.”

 

The late Historian and Theologian E.P. Sanders shared that it’s a factual assertion that these followers (and later Paul) encountered what they perceived as resurrection experiences. They were convinced of this truth to the point of living and even dying for it, suggesting their belief stemmed from genuine conviction rather than mere delusion.

 

Jesus’ moral and spiritual teachings paralleled those of earlier Pharisaic rabbis. Hillel the Elder, who taught towards the end of the 1st century BCE, famously expressed a key ethical principle: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary.”

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Jesus reframed this concept in a positive light in Matthew 7:12 by stating, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Rabbi Meir, from the 2nd century CE, also highlighted divine empathy when he said, “When man suffers, God says, ‘My head hurts, my arm hurts.’” This profound and personal portrayal of God aligns closely with Jesus’ mission of healing and his solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed.

 

Modern scholars largely agree on Jesus’ historical existence. Marcus Borg stated, “Jesus really existed, and he really was crucified, just as Julius Caesar really existed and was assassinated.”

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 The late Graham Stanton, a respected professor at Cambridge, reinforced this viewpoint, by saying, “Today, nearly all historians, whether Christians or not, accept that Jesus existed and that the Gospels provide considerable evidence that should be critically assessed.”

This scholarly consensus attests to Jesus’ historical presence, although interpretations of his significance continue to be debated.