Searching for Jesus in Ancient Manuscripts

Every year, more than five million tourists visit Israel, many of them Christians retracing the footsteps of Jesus. With over two billion followers worldwide, Jesus Christ is regarded as one of the most influential figures in history. Yet one question continues to be asked: did Jesus really exist as a historical person?

In this program, we'll investigate the historical evidence for His existence, asking whether the millions of pilgrims who journey to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and Jerusalem's Via Dolorosa are following the path of a man who truly lived in this land 2,000 years ago.

Beyond the pages of the New Testament, some of the earliest references to Jesus appear in the writings of Jewish and Roman historians. Their accounts have been preserved in ancient manuscripts discovered, studied, and authenticated by archaeologists and historians, providing an important independent witness to the events of the first century.

By examining these remarkable historical sources, including who wrote them, when they were written, how their manuscripts survived, and what they reveal about Jesus, we ask whether these non-biblical records corroborate what the Bible tells us about His existence. Drawing on the documentary evidence left by ancient historians, we explore whether history itself confirms the man at the centre of the Christian faith.