Discover Historic Jesus

01/25/2026

"Archaeologists in Egypt uncovered one of the most significant extra-biblical confirmations of the Bible: the Merneptah Stele. Dated to around 1208 BC and commissioned by Pharaoh Merneptah, the monument records a military campaign into Canaan—and mentions Israel by name for the first time in recorded history.

This timing aligns precisely with the biblical period after Joshua and during the era described in Book of Judges, when Israel existed as scattered tribes without a king or capital. Linguistically, the stele identifies Israel as a people, not a city—distinct from nearby city-states like Ashkelon and Gezer. The evidence shows Israel already living in the land before monarchy or Jerusalem, exactly as Scripture describes. The stele doesn’t quote the Bible—it independently confirms it."

04/14/2024

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.’ For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”
-Psalm 122:6-9

12/05/2023

10/30/2023

10/11/2023

At Jesus’s crucifixion, all four Gospels describe the Roman soldiers “casting lots” for His garments. As I read these verses growing up, I imagined soldiers squatting at the foot of the cross and throwing dice in a winner-takes-all kind of game. Although dice did exist in the first-century Roman Empire, that is not what our Bibles are describing.

Based on archaeological finds, it is more likely that the Roman soldiers were “casting lots” the same way that the Israelites and Jews did throughout their history. Men would write their names on a pottery sherd (like those found at Masada) and then throw or “cast” it into a container. Someone would then draw out names. This is how corporate decisions were made, including which tribe got what land (Joshua 18:8), who would rule Israel (1 Samuel 10:20), who got what job (1 Chronicles 25:8), and who would get thrown out of the boat (Jonah 1:7)!

03/05/2023

KETEF HINNOM SCROLLS — In 1979 two silver scrolls were discovered near the Old City of Jerusalem in an ancient burial plot called, chamber 25 of Cave 24 at Ketef Hinnom. They were found during excavations conducted by a team under the supervision of Prof. Gabriel Barkay, then professor of archaeology at Tel Aviv University. They are two of the oldest attested Biblical Hebrew texts discovered in Israel. The scrolls contain the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-25. 📜

12/24/2022

The Greek word that so many of our English translations render as "wise men" is magoi. (You'll sometimes see it transliterated as "magi.") The word described a person who had some sort of supernatural knowledge. It could have referred specifically to Zoroastrian priests from Persia or more generally to astronomers from any of the nations east of Judaea. One thing it does NOT mean is "king." There are only 2 kings present in Matthew's birth narrative: King Herod (v. 1) and Jesus (v. 2).

12/22/2022

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. – Luke 1:31 ✝

As she lifted her head from the pillow, she opened her mouth to cry out. She knew that John would be at her side. But then she knowingly let her head fall back. It was time. Suddenly her life flashed before her. She saw her betrothed, Joseph, her beloved. He was so handsome. And she loved him so much. She would be with him again soon. She closed her eyes.

Then she saw the angel, Gabriel. She remembered the night he appeared to her. She remembered his words: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”

Indeed, it had been over 400 years since Israel heard from a prophet. And it been over 1000 years since anyone had heard from an angel. Yet here was Gabriel, appearing to her, a simple young girl in an obscure little town. So it comforting that he began speaking to her with the words “do not be afraid “. Because, she remembered, she was terrified.

Those days were not easy. But she held them close to her heart. She remembered the visit with her cousin Elizabeth. How Elizabeth’s child began kicking in the womb as they spoke. And she remembered that journey to Bethlehem. No rooms… Her labor began as they bedded down in a cave. She felt those labor pains… as strongly as she felt the present pain in her chest. She refocused… shepherds… more angels began to speak: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”

Then she remembered the star… the magi, and the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that sustained the three of them as they fled to Egypt. The memories were coming fast now… in sharp flashes as her chest continued to burn. She recalled His childhood, and the time they found Him in the temple…. “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”, he had asked them.

And then at the wedding when she asked Him for a miracle… He did not deny her, but said, “my time has not yet come”. Indeed… His time. The pain in her chest was strong now… a heavy, deep pressure. And she found herself at the foot of the Cross… “Woman, behold your son”, He said, looking at John. They would be the last words He spoke to her as her child.

The pain was deep, so deep now. She gasped for breath. She heard His final words… “Tetelestai!”, He said. "It is finished!"

She closed her eyes once more. It would be the last time. And then she whispered … “Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” And though she could no longer speak or even open her eyes, she could feel the pain leaving her body. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was indeed blessed. She was going home. ❤

12/22/2022

"The sketch of the human story began in a cave... It was [also] a cave that a homeless couple had crept underground with the cattle when the doors of the caravanserai had been shut in their faces; and it was here beneath the very feet of the passers-by, in a cellar under the very floor of the world, that Jesus Christ was born.... God was also a Cave-Man, and had also traced some strange shapes of creatures, curiously colored, upon the wall of the world; but the pictures that He made had come to life."

— G.K. Chesterton (The Everlasting Man, p. 169)