Archaeology and Jesus

Archaeology and Jesus by Dr. D. James Kennedy

He answered them, “I tell you, if these should be silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40

Some critics falsely state that there is no archaeological evidence related to Jesus. That is wrong on many fronts. Included among recent archaeological finds is a large stone that was part of a building built by Pontius Pilate in honor of Tiberius Caesar, and on that stone is inscribed, “Pontius Pilatus, Procurator of Judea.” I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, and I’ve read it.

In 1990, an ossuary (a first century bone box) was discovered, containing the bones of one Joseph, the son of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was a surname, and Joseph Caiaphas was the high priest who concocted the whole scheme to crucify Jesus after the priests were upset over Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead. They didn’t know what to do.

It was cunning Caiaphas who said, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, that the whole nation should not perish” (John 11:49-50).

It was expedient, he said, that Jesus should die—the death of expediency. It was Caiaphas who examined Him there in the Sanhedrin. It was Caiaphas who led the mob over to Pilate’s palace. It was Caiaphas who turned Jesus over to Pilate and demanded His crucifixion.

So there you have archeological evidence for Caiaphas, the high priest of the Jews, who condemned Jesus, and for Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea, who unwillingly and reluctantly was finally forced to cave in and deliver Jesus up for crucifixion.

As has been said, the very stones cry out to the truth of Christ.