Claim 1 of 5 · Case 02 · Resurrection of Christ
Jesus died by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate.
One claim from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
The death of Jesus by crucifixion is one of the most firmly established facts about him, accepted by historians across belief systems. It is the starting point for any discussion of the resurrection, because a resurrection claim only makes sense if there was a real death first. One limit should be stated up front. The non-Christian sources below confirm that Jesus lived and was executed, but they do not report the resurrection. The case for the resurrection itself rests on the early Christian sources examined in the later claims.
Backed by 3 pieces of evidence
Tacitus, Annals 15.44
A hostile Roman writer confirms, from outside the church, that Jesus was executed under Pontius Pilate. That’s the death every resurrection claim depends on, established here without relying on any Christian source.
Josephus, Antiquities 18.63
Once the disputed lines are set aside, the reliable core still reports the crucifixion under Pilate. That’s flagged honestly here, with the later Christian additions noted rather than treated as fact.
The Gospels and Paul
These are the sources closest to the events, so they give the direct account of the death. The Roman and Jewish writers above then confirm the bare fact from the outside.