The ancient Babylonian Talmud, in Sanhedrin 43A, refers to Jesus and the fact that he was crucified on the eve of the Passover. First-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus made references to Jesus. Although some critics say that other versions of Josephus' writings were altered to favor Christian claims, even this version, accepted as accurate by the most critical historians, proves that the person known as Jesus actually existed. Many first century Jewish coffins, or "ossuaries" are inscribed with the sign of the cross or the name of Jesus. In 1873, ossuaries were found near Bethany containing the inscribed names of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, each with the sign of a cross. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were followers of Jesus described in the Bible. Another was inscribed in Greek, "Jesus, the Redeemer." Still another was inscribed with "Jesus, the LORD (Jehovah)." The ossuary of Matthias (possibly the disciple who replaced Judas) was inscribed "Jesus is [Jehovah]." It would be inconceivable that so many ossuaries would attest to faith in Jesus Christ as God if his claims were mere stories. Many first and second-century historical documents refer to Christians, their belief in Jesus. Cornelius Tacitus wrote in AD112 that Nero, to suppress the rumor that he ordered the burning of Rome, and acknowledge that a man named Christus (Jesus) the founder of the name of Christians was put to death by Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius.
