Archaeologists have made amazing discoveries in recent decades that prove they actually walked the Earth.
The existence of at least 50 people mentioned in the Bible has been identified through wall paintings, inscriptions on stone tablets and other material evidence.
One of the most important finds was a plaque bearing the name Pontius Pilate, the man who sentenced Jesus to death for fear of losing his authority over the Jews.
Another discovery included a cave found in the early 2000s, which archaeologists claimed was used by John the Baptist to anoint followers of Christ.
The stone of Pontius Pilate
The Roman leader who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus and then washed his hands in front of a crowd was a real and well-documented historical figure.
Pilate convicted Jesus of treason and sentenced him to death by crucifixion.
An Italian archaeologist discovered an ancient limestone slab in 1961 bearing the name “Pontius Pilate”.
The inscription also explained how he built a temple in or near Caesarea, dedicated to the then reigning 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 such as the Jewish philosopher Philo, the historian Josephus, and the Roman historian Tacitus.
Philo described Pilate as “a man of very rigid disposition, very merciless, obstinate, excessively angry, and a man of wild passions.”
The tomb of King Herod
King Herod, born in 73 AD, was a Jewish leader who heard a prophecy that the “Messiah”, the King of the Jews, would come into the world and ordered the slaughter of every male infant in Bethlehem.
While the brutal act does not exist in the history books, it is mentioned in the gospel of Matthew.
The king is said to have died 2,000 years ago, but in 2007 archaeologists discovered his tomb – although his existence had been found on coins and in historical accounts.
Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University and his team excavated a volcano-shaped hill in Jerusalem called Herod.
Decades later, on April 27, 2007, they found a slab of pink limestone that revealed Herod’s tomb.
However, the sarcophagus had been deliberately smashed – most likely 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 Forerunner
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 space.
A team led by British archaeologist Shimon Gibson excavated the cave, finding 250,000 fragments of small jugs that may have been used in purification rituals.
A stone used for cleaning the feet and frescoes of the Biblical figure were also discovered which convinced Gibson that the cave was used by John the Baptist.
Shimon Gibson said, “John the Baptist, who was just a figure from the Gospels, now comes to life.”
The tomb of the apostle Philip
Philip was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, 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 the two fish,” in which Jesus turned a small amount of food into a large one and fed 5,000 people.
Philip, however, was crucified in AD 80. after converting the wife of a ruler.
The tomb was discovered while teams were excavating an ancient church that was built around the resting place of the Apostle.
The walls had designs and features that pointed to Philip.
However, Philip’s remains were missing, leading archaeologists to believe they were taken to Rome and placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
Other accounts from the 12th century state that his body is still in Constantinople.
The seal of Isaiah
A clay seal discovered in Jerusalem in 2019 dating from the eighth century BC. may bear the signature of the Prophet Isaiah, according to Dr. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Isaiah is 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 adviser to Hezekiah, who was the king of Judah, and the clay seal that reads “Isaiah the Prophet” was found near one bearing Hezekiah’s name in Ophel, an ancient fortified area of Jerusalem.
