Archaeologists have made astonishing discoveries in recent decades proving that many biblical figures actually walked and breathed on Earth.
The existence of at least 50 people mentioned in the holy book has been identified through wall drawings, inscriptions on stone slabs and other material evidence.
One of the most significant finds was a slab bearing the name of Pontius Pilate, the man who sentenced Jesus to death for fear of losing his power over the Jews.
Another discovery included a cave found in the early 2000s, which archaeologists say was used by John the Baptist to anoint followers of Christ.
A stone discovered in Caesarea Maritima (a city in the eastern Mediterranean that was the capital of Roman Judea) bears the name of Pontius Pilate.
Pontius Pilate’s stone
The Roman leader who gave the order to crucify Jesus and then washed his hands in front of a crowd was a real and well-documented historical figure.
Pontius Pilate was a ruled Caesarea, once located in Israel, from 26 AD to 36 AD under Emperor Tiberius.
Pilate condemned Jesus for treason and sentenced him to death by crucifixion.
An Italian archaeologist discovered an ancient limestone slab in 1961, which bore the name “Pontius Pilate.”
The inscription also explains how he built a ‘Tiberieum’, a temple in or near Caesarea dedicated to the then Roman emperor Tiberius.
And the dating of the stone showed that it was created during the ruler’s lifetime.
Pilate has also been mentioned by ancient writers, including the Jewish philosopher Philo, the historian Josephus, and the Roman historian Tacitus.
Philo described Pilate as “a man of very inflexible character, very ruthless and also very obstinate… extremely angry and… at all times a man of the fiercest passions.”
King Herod’s tomb
King Herod, born in 73 AD, was a Jewish leader who heard a prophecy that a son would be born as king of the Jews.
Herod then ordered “the massacre of the innocents,” in which all the male children in Bethlehem were killed.
While the brutal order does not appear in history books, it is mentioned in the gospel of Matthew.
Archaeologists had searched for the tyrant’s tomb in the city of Herodium, which was identified in 1838.
Ehud Netzer holds pieces of an elaborate sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of King Herod.
The king was said to have died more than 2,000 years ago, but it was not until 2007 that archaeologists discovered his tomb, although his existence had been discovered in coins and historical accounts.
Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University and his The team found had been working in Jerusalem, excavating a volcano-shaped hill called Herodium.
Decades later, on April 27, 2007, they crashed into a slab of pink limestone that later revealed Herod’s elusive tomb.
However, the sarcophagus had been intentionally destroyed, probably by Jewish rebels.
Other archaeologists have since suggested that the size of the tomb is too small for a king like Herod, and the debate continues.
The cave of John the Baptist
Archaeologists discovered a cave in 2004 that they claimed was where John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples.
The structure featured a cistern where 28 steps lead to an underground pool.
Archaeologists discovered a cave in 2004 that they claimed was where John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples.
A team led by British archaeologist Shimon Gibson excavated the cave and found 250,000 fragments of small jars that could have been used in purification rituals.
A stone used for foot cleansing and carvings on the walls themed after the biblical figure were also discovered, convincing Gibson that the cave was used by John the Baptist. The entrance has since been converted into a shrine.
A team led by British archaeologist Shimon Gibson excavated the cave and found 250,000 fragments of small jars that may have been used in purification rituals.
A stone used for foot cleansing and carvings on the walls themed after the biblical figure were also discovered, convincing Gibson that the cave was used by John the Baptist.
Shimon Gibson said: “John the Baptist, who was just a figure in the Gospels, now comes to life.”
The biblical figure is also said to have baptized Jesus, but it is unknown if the sacred event took place in the cave.
Not all archaeologists are convinced that there is sufficient evidence for the existence of John the Baptist, and some suggest that more evidence is needed.
The tomb of the apostle Philip
Philip was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and Italian archaeologist Francesco D’Andria believes he found his tomb in 2011 in Turkey.
The Bible states that Philip was present during ‘the miracle of the five loaves and two fish’, in which Jesus is said to have turned the small amount of food into enough to feed 5,000 people, and Philip helped distribute the items.
Philip was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, and Italian archaeologist Francesco D’Andria believes he found his tomb in 2011 in Turkey.
Philip, however, was crucified in AD 80 after converting a ruler’s wife.
The tomb was discovered while teams were excavating an ancient church built around the apostle’s resting place.
The walls had drawings and features that pointed to Felipe.
However, Philip’s remains were missing, leading archaeologists to believe that they were taken to Rome and placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
Other reports from the 12th century have suggested that his body is still located in Constantinople.
The seal of Isaiah
A clay seal unearthed in Jerusalem in 2019 dating to the 8th century BC may bear the signature of the prophet Isaiah, according to Dr. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Isaiah was said to have predicted the coming of the Messiah, which is found in the Book of Isaiah chapter 53.
In the Bible, Isaiah is described as a close advisor to Hezekiah, who was the king of Judah, and the clay seal that may read “Prophet Isaiah” was found near one bearing the name Hezekiah in Ophel, an ancient fortified area of Jerusalem.
A clay seal unearthed in Jerusalem in 2019 dating to the 8th century BC. C. may bear the signature of the prophet Isaiah
‘We found the seal mark from the 8th century BC. C. which may have been made by the prophet Isaiah himself just 10 feet away from where we previously discovered the much publicized bull of King Hezekiah of Judah.
‘If it is true that this bull is indeed that of the prophet Isaiah, then it should not be surprising to discover this bull alongside another named after King Hezekiah, given the symbiotic relationship of the prophet Isaiah and King Hezekiah described in the Bible.’
If confirmed to be Isaiah’s seal, it would be the first evidence of the prophet outside of the Bible.
