A video featuring podcaster Jillian Michaels showing her astonishment upon discovering out-of-Bible evidence for Jesus has gained popularity online. The discussion centers around the existence of Jesus.
Michaels, a well-known fitness expert and author, hosted historian Victor Davis Hanson on her podcast, *keep it real*, where the subject of Jesus and historical validation arose.
“This might really upset some people, and I’m genuinely sorry… but we weren’t entirely convinced that Jesus existed,” Michaels admitted.
Hanson responded thoughtfully, clarifying that most historians do agree that Jesus was indeed a real person.
“We possess Roman records that are unrelated to religion, which acknowledge him as a significant figure who instigated a major movement,” he explained.
Hanson delved into how Romans controlled Judea, similar to other territories, by appointing local leaders like Herod to manage under Roman authority. The Romans ensured order with military presence while demanding taxes and loyalty in return, he added.
Hanson suggested that Jesus posed a challenge to Roman values, promoting mercy and equality, which conflicted with the empire’s aggressive culture. Additionally, certain Jewish groups also saw Jesus as a threat, making his crucifixion a joint decision, albeit instigated by the Romans.
“This is a pretty wild story. Sorry if it seems ordinary to those who know this stuff,” Michaels said, smiling, though she expressed her surprise during the conversation about Jesus. She also mentioned she previously believed the New Testament was created a long time after Christ, a notion that Hanson disputed.
Hanson highlighted Christianity’s distinctiveness through its message that “everyone can attain heaven,” allowing it to transcend geographical barriers. He observed that while Judaism is tied to specific communities, Christianity is inherently global, which presented a challenge for Rome.
The clip was shared on Melissa the Hopeful’s X channel and has garnered over 800,000 views.
“I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jillian Michaels react when she learned from Victor Davis Hanson about the historical support for Jesus’ existence outside the Bible,” she commented.
Experts point to multiple external sources mentioning Jesus and the early Christian movement. Roman historian Tacitus noted that “Christus” was executed under Pontius Pilate in Tiberius’ reign. Jewish historian Josephus also referred to Jesus, characterizing him as a teacher who gained followers. Additional references from authors like Pliny the Younger and Suetonius further confirm that Jesus and his disciples were known figures in the ancient Roman society.
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