TEN EARLIEST NON-BIBLICAL WRITTEN REFERENCES TO JESUS

A Jewish historian, Josephus mentions Jesus in Antiquities of the Jews, specifically in passages known as the "Testimonium Flavianum". While the authenticity of certain parts is debated, the majority of scholars agree on the existence of a core reference to Jesus. Josephus describes Jesus' crucifixion and refers to Him as a "wise man" and "doer of wonderful works."

A Roman historian, Tacitus mentions Jesus in "Annals". He states that "Christus," the founder of the Christian movement, was executed by Pontius Pilate during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. This is considered one of the most reliable non-Christian references to Jesus.

In a letter to Emperor Trajan, written around AD 112, Pliny describes how he dealt with Christians in Bithynia and notes that they worshipped Christ "as a god."

Suetonius refers to disturbances in Rome "caused by Chrestus" during the reign of Emperor Claudius (AD 41-54). This "Chrestus" is commonly interpreted as a reference to Christ.

A satirist, Lucian references Christians and their worship of "the crucified one" (Jesus) in "The Death of Peregrinus", mocking them for their beliefs.

In a letter to his son, the Stoic philosopher Mara bar Serapion refers refers to the execution of a "wise king" of the Jews, widely believed to be Jesus, though the identification is debated.

In a now-lost work, Thallus reportedly referred to the darkness that followed the crucifixion of Jesus, cited later by Julius Africanus (3rd century AD). The earliest mention of Thallus' reference to Jesus comes from a 9th century manuscript of Africanus' work.

A Greek historian, Phlegon is reported by later Christian writers (like Origen) to have mentioned an eclipse and earthquakes during Jesus' crucifixion. The earliest extant references to Phlegon's work are in manuscripts of Origen's writings from the 9th century.

A Greek philosopher and critic of Christianity, Celsus wrote The True Word (c 175 AD), which attacks Jesus' divinity and describes him as a magician. The earliest references to Celsus' work are preserved in the 4th-century writings of Origen (Contra Celsum), with manuscripts from the 9th century.

Jewish rabbinic texts in the Babylonian Talmud includes references to a figure named "Yeshu," believed by some to be Jesus, though this identification is debated. These references criticize his actions and mention his execution.