Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus

Dr. Gary Habermas developed a concept known as the Minimal Facts approach when it comes to the resurrection of Jesus. 

He focuses only on facts that (1) are supported by strong evidence, and (2) are accepted by virtually all scholars, even skeptical ones. 

The goal here isn’t to prove every detail of the Bible in one shot, but to show that with just the bare minimum of agreed-upon evidence, the resurrection is still the best explanation of history.

Let’s take a look.

Fact 1: Jesus Died by Crucifixion

The evidence that Jesus was crucified under Roman rule is widely accepted. This isn’t just in the Gospels. Ancient historians, Roman officials, and Jewish writings like Josephus, Tacitus, and the Talmud all record it. Even critical scholar John Dominic Crossan wrote:

“That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical can ever be.”

Another scholar and critic of Christianity, Bart Ehrman, said:

“The most certain element of the tradition about Jesus is that he was crucified on the orders of the Roman prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate. The crucifixion is independently attested in a wide array of sources and is not the sort of thing that believers would want to make up.”

There’s little debate here: Jesus’ death by crucifixion is one of the most certain facts of ancient history.

Fact 2: The Tomb of Jesus Was Empty

The disciples began proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection in Jerusalem, the very city where He was crucified and buried. If the tomb still had a body, the religious leaders could have stopped everything by producing it. But they couldn’t because the tomb was empty.

Another compelling reason to believe the tomb was empty is that women were the first to discover it. In that culture, women had a very low social status. Jewish law even excluded them from giving testimony in court because they were seen as unreliable. 

If the disciples were inventing the resurrection, they never would have made women the first witnesses; people simply wouldn’t have believed them. The only reasonable conclusion is that they were reporting what actually happened.

Fact 3: The Disciples Believed He Appeared to Them

Jesus’ followers were convinced they had seen Him alive after His death. Nearly all scholars, again, even skeptical ones, agree that this is what they truly believed. And this belief radically changed their lives.

Before the resurrection, the disciples were fearful, hiding, and confused. Peter even denied knowing Jesus. But afterward, they boldly preached that He was alive, even when it meant imprisonment, beatings, and death. People don’t suffer and die for something they know is a lie.

This wasn’t a legend that grew over centuries. The belief in the resurrection goes right back to the earliest years. Paul quotes a creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 that proclaims Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Many scholars believe Paul received this from Peter and James in Jerusalem, within just five years of the crucifixion.

Fact 4: Paul and James Were Radically Converted

Paul was a violent persecutor of Christians. James, the brother of Jesus, was skeptical during His life. Yet both claimed to have seen the risen Jesus. Both were dramatically changed. Paul became the most influential missionary in church history, and James became the leader of the Jerusalem church. Both were eventually killed for their faith.

The best explanation is simple: they truly believed Jesus appeared to them.

The Best Explanation

Other theories exist, such as hallucinations, legends, and stolen bodies, but none explain all the facts without forcing them to fit a bias. The crucifixion, the empty tomb, the disciples’ belief, and the radical conversions of Paul and James point in one direction.

Jesus really did rise from the dead. It wasn’t a legend or a metaphor; it was a real historical event caused by a supernatural act of God.

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The information in this post was adapted from Gary Habermas' book, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus.