How have archaeological discoveries confirmed the New Testament?

Various people and places mentioned in the New Testament have been confirmed by archaeological discoveries. This lends credence to the claim that the New Testament is historically accurate. Some of the people who have been confirmed by archaeological discoveries are listed below:

• Caiaphas, the High Priest
  • Discovery: Ossuary (bone box)
  • Discovery made: December, 1990 in the Peace Forest area of Jerusalem
  • The ossuary is inscribed with the Aramaic name ‘Yehosef bar Kayafa’, which translates to ‘Joseph, son of Caiaphas’.
  • Some verses that mention him: Matthew 26:2-4, John 18:24
  • More Information
• James, brother of Jesus, and his father Joseph
  • Discovery: Ossuary (bone box)
  • The ossuary’s inscription says ‘James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus’ in Aramaic.
  • Some verses that mention him: Matthew 13:55-56, Galatians 1:19
  • More Information
• Pontius Pilate
  • Discovery: Inscription
  • Discovery made: 1961 at Caesarea Maritima
  • What is left of the Latin inscription reads ‘TIBERIEVM/(PON)TIVS PILATVS/(PRAEF)ECTVS IVDAE(AE)’ which translates to Tiberium/Pontius Pilate/Prefect of Judea.
  • Some Verses that mention him: Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:14-15, Luke 3:1-2
  • More Information
• John Mark, the gospel writer
  • Discovery: Inscription/Site of House
  • Discovery made: 1940 in Jerusalem
  • The inscription, located at St. Mark’s Monastery in Jerusalem, when translated says, ‘This is the house of Mary, mother of John, called Mark. Proclaimed a church by the holy apostles under the name of the Virgin Mary, mother of God, after the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. Renewed after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in the year A.D. 73.’
  • Some Verses that mention him: Acts 12:12, Acts 15:36-41, 2 Timothy 4:11
  • More Information

For more information on archaeology, geography and the Bible, both the New and Old Testaments, go to: