Biblical Archaeology Lesson 02: The New Testament
In our previous study, we examined ten archaeological discoveries that demonstrated the historical accuracy of the Old Testament. Today, we will examine ten archaeological finds with relevance to the New Testament.
Let’s read together Acts 13:6-12.
Sergius Paulus inscription
A Roman proconsul was a governor or military commander of a province. Sergius was the proconsul of Cyprus under the reign of Claudius Caesar from 45 to 50 AD. A stone with a Greek inscription dating to 54 AD was found in northern Cypress. The inscription referred to an event that happened earlier than 54 AD and referenced a “proconsul Paulus.” It is very likely this inscription is speaking of the same Sergius Paulus who encountered Paul the Apostle in Paphos.
Let’s read together John 9:1-7.
The pool of Siloam was a freshwater reservoir in the time of Jesus. It was at this pool where Jesus miraculously cured a man of his blindness. It was accidentally discovered in 2004 by workers doing sewage pipe maintenance in the old city of Jerusalem. The discovery of the pool of Siloam shows that the book of John is not a purely theological book. Rather, it is grounded in history.
Let’s read together Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; and 2 Timothy 4:20..
A stone with a Latin inscription dating around 50 AD was found in Corinth. The inscription translated in English reads: “Erastus in return for hisa aedileship laid (the pavement) at his own expense.” (An aedile was a Roman magistrate in charge of public works.) This discovery points to the historicity of Erastus, an evangelist and a socially elite individual mentioned by Paul the Apostle.
Let’s read together Matthew 26:3 and John 18:13-14.
An ossuary with the engraving “Joseph son of Caiaphas” was discovered in a burial cave in the old city of Jerusalem. The skeletal remains inside the ossuary were of a 50 year old. This ossuary is very likely the remains of the priest who presided over the trial of Jesus.
Let’s read together Acts 21:27-30 and Ephesians 2:14.
Temple warning inscription
The Jewish historian Josephus wrote of a partition in the Jewish temple with a stone inscription forbidding foreigners from entering the temple upon penalty of death. A complete stone inscription with such a warning was found in Jerusalem in 1871. Interestingly, there were traces of red paint in the stone inscription, meaning it was meant to be very visible to people.
This inscription correlates with the story in Acts 21:28-30 where the Jews accused Paul of bringing in Greeks into the temple and defiling it. Paul may have also referred to this barrier in Ephesians 2:14.
Let’s read together Leviticus 23:24 and Matthew 24:1-2.
Trumpeting place inscription
A stone with the Hebrew inscription “to the place of trumpeting” was discovered in Jerusalem, dating to the first century. It is thought this stone was atop the southwest corner of the temple of Jerusalem before it was cast down. This is evidence for the existence of the second temple of Jerusalem, which was destroyed in 70 AD.
Let’s read together Matthew 28:11-13.
This stone inscription contains an edict from Caesar proclaiming the death penalty for those caught stealing bodies from tombs. This is a rather unusual decree as grave robbers normally would steal items from tombs, but not the bodies.
It is quite possible this inscription was written by Claudius Caesar in response to hearing Christians sharing the story of Jesus’ resurrection. Claudius would have considered Christians a dangerous anti-Roman movement.
Let’s read together Acts 18:12.
This is a collection of nine stone fragments of a letter written by Claudius Caesar in 52 AD. The Gallio inscription was found in Delphi, Greece, which is about 50 miles northwest of Corinth. This inscription makes mention of Junius Gallio being proconsul of Achaia. Gallio only served as proconsul from 51 to 52 AD. The Gallio inscription is a fixed marker that allows us to date Paul’s ministry.
Let’s read together Matthew 27:1-24 and Mark 15:1-15.
Pontius Pilate was a Roman prefect governing Judea from 26 to 34 AD. He is mentioned by the historians Josephus, Tacitus, and Philo in addition to the Gospels. The Pilate stone confirms the historicity of Pontius Pilate.
Let’s read together John 18:31-33.
P52 fragment of John 18:31-33
This is a papyrus fragment dating to 125 to 175 AD. This is the oldest known fragment of the New Testament Gospels. The significance of this fragment is that it was written within 100 years of the events of the Gospels.
There has not been an archaeological find that contradicts the Bible. The historical events recorded in the New Testament are factual. The archaeological discoveries mentioned in this lesson should increase our trust in the Bible.
Friend, will you trust what the Bible says about historical things? Will you trust what the Bible says about spiritual things?
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