Ten Historical Facts of the Resurrection

1. Jesus of Nazareth existed and was executed by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate

   This is one of the most secure facts of ancient history, affirmed by Christian, Jewish, and Roman sources.

   
   

2. Jesus was buried in a known tomb shortly after his death

   The burial by Joseph of Arimathea, a named member of the Jewish council, is early, specific, and unlikely to be legendary.

   
   

3. The tomb was later found empty

   The empty tomb is attested by early sources and presupposed by hostile explanations that concede the body was missing.

   
   

4. The resurrection was proclaimed publicly in Jerusalem

   The message began where the body could have been produced if the claim were false.

   
   

5. The disciples sincerely believed Jesus rose bodily from the dead

   Their proclamation was not symbolic or metaphorical but physical and historical.

   
   

6. The disciples were radically transformed from fearful deserters into bold witnesses

   They accepted persecution and death rather than deny what they claimed to have seen.

   
   

7. Multiple individuals and groups reported appearances of the risen Jesus

   These include individuals, small groups, and large gatherings, ruling out subjective hallucination.

   
   

8. Jesus was seen by over 500 people at one time

   Paul explicitly notes that most of these witnesses were still alive and available for verification (1 Corinthians 15:6).

   
   

9. Former skeptics and enemies converted after claimed appearances

   James (Jesus’ brother) and Paul (a persecutor) became leaders in the movement after encounters they believed were appearances of the risen Christ.

   
   

10. The resurrection proclamation originated extremely early

    The creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 dates to within a few years—likely months—of the crucifixion, ruling out legendary development.