100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
61. Tacitus (A.D. 55 – 120)
Cornelius Tacitus is generally acknowledged as a man of moral integrity and historical accuracy A. Having lived through the reigns of over half a dozen emperors, he is considered by many to be the father of Roman history. Tacitus also affirms that Jesus was crucified under Pilate, and also describes the horrific persecution of Christians under Nero. According to Tacitus:
“Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely charged with the guilt, and punished with the most exquisite tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontus Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius: but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time, broke out again, not only through Judea, where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also.” Cornelius Tacitus, Annals XV, 44
It is incredible to believe that Christianity could have gained such a substantial following by Nero’s time if its teachings were easily refutable historically. Note that in Roman times, crucifixion was considered the most horrific, shameful way to die B. If there was not at least some historical viability to the resurrection account by Nero’s time (30 years after the crucifixion), then the worship of the crucified Jesus, especially in the face of persecution, becomes inexplicable.
61. Tacitus - Notes and References
A. “Cornelius Tacitus (c A.D. 55-120) was a Roman historian who lived through the reigns of over half a dozen Roman emperors. He has been called the ‘greatest historian’ of ancient Rome, an individual generally acknowledged among scholars for his moral ‘integrity and essential goodness.” Gary R. Habermas , “The Verdict of History”, Thomas Nelson, 1988 P. 87
“In general Tacitus was a careful researcher and even his severest critics ordinarily concede that his facts are accurate.” The Encyclopedia Americana”, 2001, vol. 26, pp. 210-211
B. “Even the mere word, cross, must remain far not only from the lips of the citizens of Rome, but also from their ears.” Marcus Tullius Cicero, “Pro Rabirio”, V.16, as cited by John P. Mattingly, “Crucifixion: Its Origin and Application to Christ”, Unpublished Th. M. Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1961