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Jan 19, 2019 · Herod Antipas, Herod Archelaus, etc). Many scholars are convinced that this is the ossuary of the high priest who played a prominent role in the trial of Jesus. His ossuary and physical remains provide archaeological evidence confirming the existence of a prominent person in the New Testament.
The point is not to match an archaeological find with a specific event or person but to provide a context for ancient life more broadly, which at times confirms, and at others challenges, aspects of the New Testament. No matter what is unearthed, though, using archaeology raises new questions for interpreting texts.
- Skeptics have asserted for many years that Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4:16) did not exist at all in his time. But alas, in 2009 British-Israeli archaeologist Yardenna Alexandre announced the first archaeological proof of a home in Nazareth dating from the lifetime of Jesus.
- The existence and office of Pontius Pilate have been verified in mentions by ancient historians Josephus, Philo and Tacitus — and, notably (as the first physical proof), in the “Pilate Stone,” found in 1961 at Caesarea Maritima, on the Mediterranean coast of Israel.
- Capernaum, Peter’s hometown (Luke 10:15) has long since been excavated. But in 1968, a very old church was found, built over a house believed to be that of St. Peter.
- Until 1968, no physical evidence of crucifixion had ever been found. Thus, many held that victims were attached to crosses with ropes. But in that year, Greek-Israeli archaeologist Vassilios Tzaferis found in Jerusalem a man who had been crucified in the first century.
- Ossuary of Caiaphas
- Ossuary of Caiaphas' Granddaughter
- Pilate's Stone
- Ossuary of Alexander, Son of Simon of Cyrene
- Herod The King
- Herod Agrippa I
- Herod Agrippa II
- Gallio's Inscription
- Tiberius Caesar
- Sergius Paulus
For the first of our new archaeology finds, we will cover the ossuary of Caiaphas (pictured above). An ossuary is a bone box.Caiaphas was the high priest during Jesus’ crucifixion, mentioned in Matthew 26:57. Was this a real person? Yes, it was. Archaeology and the bible continue to support each other. Caiaphas' ossuary, or bone box (again, picture...
Interestingly, on June 29, 2011, the ossuary of Caiaphas’ granddaughter was also found. This find was backed by the Israeli Department of Antiquities. Pictured below is the ossuary found of Caiaphas' granddaughter. And these biblical discoveries continue to show up year after year.
Another find is called ‘Pilate’s Stone’ and is from the famous Pontius Pilate, the governor who crucified Jesus. But how do we know Pilate was a real person, apart from the Bible? Pilate has been attested by Josephus, a 1st century Jewish historian, by Philo, a 1st century Jewish philosopher, and by Tacitus, a 1stcentury Roman historian. This was o...
They have also found the ossuary of Alexander, son of Simon of Cyrene. You will remember from Mark 15:21 that Simon was the one who was honored enough to help carry the cross of Jesus up to Golgotha. Was this a real person? Did Jesus really die on the cross and raise again as the Bible says? Yes and here is some more proof. Here is a picture of the...
Our next find is related to Herod the King, or Herod the Great. Here was another popular find from our new Biblical Discoveries 2019 collection. Now, the story of the Herods of the New Testament is interesting in its own right, as the New Testament is teeming with mentions of Herod. There is the Herod (Herod the Great/ King) who sought the wise men...
It is quite incredible to read about all the gems from an archaeological study bible. Bible finds are vast as any biblical archaeology YouTube search will show. They have also found coins and busts of Herod’s grandson, Herod Agrippa I, mentioned in Acts 12:22-23. Here is a coin and bust of Herod Agrippa I.
Archaeologists have also found numerous coins of Herod’s great grandson Herod Agrippa II, who is mentioned in Acts 25:13. Here is a coin archaeologists have found from Herod Agrippa II. In Dr. Norman Geisler and Dr. Frank Turek’s book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, they note how Luke records 84 historically-backed details, regarding c...
Another archaeological find is called “Gallio’s Inscription”, or is also referred to as the Delphi Inscription. Gallio was a proconsul (proconsul was an official in Ancient Rome who acted on behalf of a consul). His inscription was found in 1905, in Delphi, Greece. The inscription is pictured below. The inscription is from Claudius Caesar, who was ...
In Matthew 22:20, Jesus tells the Pharisees to show Him the coin they use to pay taxes, before He delivers His famous, “Render to Caesar what is Caesars, and render to God what is Gods” line. The image that was on this coin was of Tiberius Caesar, who was Roman emperor from AD 14-37. His bust and coins are pictured below.
Another archaeological find is of Sergius Paulus, who we meet in the New Testament, in Acts 13:6-12. Archaeologists have found his inscription, around 1996, just outside of Paphos. The inscription reads, “Paulus proconsul…” (again, proconsul was an office in ancient Rome). They have also found another inscription of him, in Rome.
Jan 23, 2018 · Consider these four specific ways that archaeology contributes to biblical studies—and your own study of God’s Word. Confirms God’s Word. Although many assume the purpose of archaeology is to prove the Bible, instead its purpose is to “bring historical confirmation to the historical statements in the text of Scripture” (26). From Job ...
Apr 15, 2023 · Archaeology can also contribute to our understanding of the people and places described in the New Testament. By excavating the sites mentioned in the biblical text and analyzing the artifacts found there, archaeologists can provide valuable insights into the historical accuracy of the New Testament.
Aug 1, 2019 · The Archaeology of the New Testament: 75 Discoveries That Support the Reliability of the Bible. August 2019. Publisher: Electronic Chrisian Media. ISBN: 978-1082202889. Authors: David Elton...
