---
product_id: 227334136
title: "Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence (Studying the Historical Jesus (SHJ))"
brand: "robert e. van voorst"
price: "₨1332"
currency: SCR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 10
url: https://www.desertcart.sc/products/227334136-jesus-outside-the-new-testament-an-introduction-to-the-ancient
store_origin: SC
region: Seychelles
---

# Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence (Studying the Historical Jesus (SHJ))

**Brand:** robert e. van voorst
**Price:** ₨1332
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence (Studying the Historical Jesus (SHJ)) by robert e. van voorst
- **How much does it cost?** ₨1332 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sc](https://www.desertcart.sc/products/227334136-jesus-outside-the-new-testament-an-introduction-to-the-ancient)

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## Description

Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence (Studying the Historical Jesus (SHJ))

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Scholarly
  

*by D***R on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 21, 2006*

Robert van Voorst's book Jesus Outside the New Testament is one of the most scholarly looks at ancient evidence about the life of Jesus. He systematically probes every reference to Jesus from outside the New Testament, and then subjects them to a thorough analysis from every angle. Watching him at work is a true guide for any scholar.In the classical area, Van Voorst examines the traditional Pliny, Suetonius, Tacitus, and Celsus writings, but he also includes such lesser known authors such as Thallos, Serapion, and Lucian of Samosata. In the Jewish writings he covers just about every reference there is to Yeshu, ben Stada, Balaam, and "the certain one". It's a tour d'force.Curiously enough, while Van Voorst is unsurpassed in his presentation and interpretation of material, it's his conclusions that I find wanting. For example, he discusses all the reasons why the mention of Jesus in Josephus is regarded as a later addition, then concludes that he "present(s) an independent account of Jesus" (p. 103). His main reason for discarding all the contrary evidence is his disbelief that the later interpolators could describe Jesus in less than glowing terms. Hardly convincing for me. Similarly, he concludes that references to Balaam cannot be references to Jesus because Balaam was traditionally the "prototype of the deceitful prophet from outside Israel" (p. 116) and Jesus, after all, was a Jew. True, but to the people who wrote the Talmud, even in Tannaitic times, Jesus was accused of being deceitful and was then outside Israel. So the use of Balaam can be accepted as referring to Jesus.My disagreemeents with Van Voorst's conclusions notwithstanding, this is an excellent book and belongs on the shelf of any scholar. Much of the material is generally unavailable elsewhere, and Van Vorost scholarship is exceptional.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Very Good Overview of Evidence for Historical Jesus
  

*by M***E on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 23, 2005*

This is your one-stop shopping place for reviewing the modern status of the historical Jesus discussion outside of the Bible.  Areas covered include possible mentions of Jesus in contemporary classical authors (Thallos, Pliny, Seutonius, Tacitus, etc.) and Jewish writings (including Josephus and the Talmud).  Each piece of evidence is offered and evaluated pro and con.I used this book to clarify some points regarding the so-called "Testimonium" in Josephus' Antiquities.  I found the information to be absolutely up-to-date and referencing the best scholarly arguments.I've used Herford's "Christianity in Talmud and Midrash" as a source and found Van Voorst was able to assist me in coming to more sound conclusions about the many references Herford offered.  If anything, I believe Van Voorst is a just a little too cautious.  Still, a recommended book.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Theology,Astronomy,And The Crucifixion Darkness
  

*by T***S on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 20, 2014*

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the extra-canonical  sources for the historical Jesus and I gave it a 3-star rating because though  I thought it was very valuable and interesting, the author does present the  evidence of the chronicler Thallos in such a way so that an uninformed  reader might think that a mid-first century date for Thallos,and his knowledge  of the Christian passion tradition,are quite probable.  But attempts to extend Thallos' chronicle down to 52 C.E. are completely  conjectural,and a date of 92 is just as likely.But this Thallos is apparently  the same Thallos referred to by the Christian writer Theophilus c.180,so that  even Craig Evans,one of Van Voorst's secondary sources,acknowledges  that certain dates for the  Thallos' allusion to the crucifixion darkness range  anywhere from 29 C.E.to 221 C.E.  For the assessment of Evans,who tends to exude the same atmosphere  of plausibility regarding a mid-first century date for Thallos,see "Studying  The Historical Jesus",edited by Craig Evans and Bruce Chilton,p.454-5.For  a more sober evaluation,see the revised Schurer:"History Of The Jewish  People In The Age Of Jesus Christ",vol.3,p.543-4. 
  
Man Of Blood: On The Last Days At Jerusalem

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*Product available on Desertcart Seychelles*
*Store origin: SC*
*Last updated: 2026-03-11*