Authentic Mission 03

In this third mission, you’ll confirm the Bible’s account of Jesus and the suspects surrounding his betrayal.

Mission 3: Corroborate the Rejection of Jesus with Actual Historical People, Places, and Events.

1. Eyewitness Testimony

After thinking through the questions, click the Answers tab to see our thoughts.

⇒ How did Jesus show true love in spite of Judas’ betrayal?

⇒ In what way are we actually more like Judas, Pilate, and Caiaphas than we are like Jesus?

⇒ Read Matthew 20:25-28. How can we follow His example?

⇒ How did Jesus show true love in spite of Judas’ betrayal?

⇒ He humbly served and washed his feet anyway. That’s the unconditional, choice love the Bible calls “agape.”

⇒ In what way are we actually more like Judas, Pilate, and Caiaphas than we are like Jesus?

⇒ Though we do some good things, we also chose to betray Jesus by turning away into sin. This is clearly seen in Romans 3:10-12 & 23 with the solution in Romans 3:24-25.

⇒ Read Matthew 20:25-28. How can we follow His example?

⇒ In response to Jesus’ life, we also serve and sacrifice.

11. Prophecy

Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 53:3a,7 (c. 750 B.C.) “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain… He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Psalm 41:9 (c. 1015 B.C.) “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”

After thinking through the questions, click the Answers tab to see our thoughts.

⇒ How does Isaiah say Jesus would respond to rejection?

⇒ What are 3 connections to Judas from Psalm 41:9?

⇒ How does Isaiah say Jesus would respond to rejection?

⇒ Gracefully like a silent lamb to the slaughter.

⇒ What are 3 connections to Judas from Psalm 41:9?

⇒ Close friend = disciple, shared bread = last supper, and turned against me = betrayal

111. Ancient Non-Christian Historical Accounts

Celsus (2nd Century Greek Philosopher - While his hatred of Christianity is clear, he ironically provides unbiased validation to numerous biblical claims.) "Your case is made the harder because not even his disciples believed him at the time of his humiliation… Would a god—a saviour, as you say, and son of the Most High God—be betrayed by the very men who had been taught by him and shared everything with him? What an absurdity. Have you forgotten that while he lived this Jesus convinced nobody—not even his own disciples—of his divinity, and was punished shamefully for his blasphemies? Were he a god he should not have died, if only to convince other for good and all that he was no liar; but die he did—not only that, but died a death that can hardly be accounted an example to men." (The True Word, as Quoted in Contra Celsum, c. 175AD)

Philo of Alexandria (1st Century Jewish Thinker - A Hellenistic Jewish philosopher that sought to merge the religious ideas of Judaism with Greek philosophy.) "Pilate was an official who had been appointed prefect of Judaea. With the intention of annoying the Jews rather than of honoring Tiberius, he set up gilded shields in Herod's palace… But when the Jews at large learnt of this action… besought Pilate to undo his innovation… When Pilate, who was a man of inflexible, stubborn and cruel disposition, obstinately refused, they shouted… Do not make Tiberius an excuse for insulting our nation… This last remark exasperated Pilate most of all, for he was afraid that if they really sent an embassy, they would bring accusations against the rest of his administration as well, specifying in detail his venality, his violence, his thefts, his assaults, his abusive behavior, his frequent executions of untried prisoners, and his endless savage ferocity." (The Embassy to Caligula 299-305, c. 42AD)

After thinking through the questions, click the Answers tab to see our thoughts.

⇒ How does Celsus inadvertently verify Jesus’ betrayal?

⇒ Why is Philo’s description of Pilate helpful?

I⇒ How does Celsus inadvertently verify Jesus’ betrayal?

⇒ Though hateful, he still accepts the events as fact.

⇒ Why is Philo’s description of Pilate helpful?

⇒ It gives an outside source that matches the Bible’s characterization of the Roman prefect.

1V. Archeology

Archeological Support: The Caiaphas Ossuary (Jerusalem, Israel) In 1990, a roadwork crew unintentionally unearthed a large burial site just south of Jerusalem. Inside, they discovered several ossuaries, one of which was exceptionally elaborate. The most ornate burial box held the remains of an approximately 60-year-old man and included the inscription “Joseph son of Caiaphas.” While the Bible only refers to the High Priest at Jesus’ trial by his family name, Caiaphas, the 1st century historian Josephus mentions his given name as Joseph in Antiquities 18.35. The find provides insights into the burial practices of Jesus’ time, and helps to validate the Bible’s historical accuracy.

After thinking through the questions, click the Answers tab to see our thoughts.

⇒ What does the Caiaphas tomb confirm about the Bible?

⇒ It’s historically accurate in naming real people.

Deductions: John wrote an eyewitness testimony about Jesus’ shocking betrayal, rejection, and trial. This confirmed the prophets’ claims that the Messiah would be turned against by a friend and scorned by mankind as he quietly suffered for all of humanity. Mocking his ordeal as unworthy of a god, Celsus ironically adds credibility to the biblical record of Jesus’ ill-treatment. Meanwhile, Philo adds even more integrity to the account by verifying the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate. Likewise, the finding of the Caiaphas ossuary also affirms the existence of the high priest who presided over Jesus’ trial. Confirmed: Jesus was actually betrayed and rejected by his followers and condemned by multiple, verified rulers just as the prophets foretold.

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Authentic Home

1. Eyewitness Testimony

11. Prophecy

111. Ancient Non-Christian Historical Accounts

1V. Archeology

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