Apocrypha | Exploring the enigmatic apocryphal writings beyond the canon of Scripture.: Extrabiblical References

Christian Classics Ethereal Library

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Apocryphal Books > Key Extrabiblical References > Phlegon of Tralles

The Roman historian Suetonius, writing within about 90 years of Christ’s death (circa AD 120), mentions both Christ, as the originator of the Christian sect, and Christians generally, in the context of the persecutions unleashed by both Claudius and Nero.

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Apocryphal Books > Key Extrabiblical References > Suetonius on Christians

Tacitus, a Roman senator and historian, who held strong, anti-Christian views, nevertheless confirmed both Christ’s existence, His death under Pontius Pilate, and the unfair persecution and genocide of Christians in Rome at the behest of Nero, who used false charges to justify the killings. He wrote circa AD 116.

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Apocryphal Books > Key Extrabiblical References > Tacitus on Christians

Pliny the Younger was governor of Bithynia from AD 110–113 and wrote to the emperor Trajan regarding the burgeoning Christian religion which was rapidly spreading. Pliny’s letter and Trajan’s response not only provide one of the earliest secular references to Christianity, but demonstrate that the faith was both mature and widespread by the late 1st century and early 2nd century, mere years after John’s Revelation.

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Apocryphal Books > Key Extrabiblical References > Pliny the Younger on Christians

Mara bar Serapion was a stoic philosopher, writing shortly after AD 73, who apparently referenced the death of Jesus.

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