There is broad agreement in scholarship that Jesus of Nazareth was a historical figure. However, it remains disputed whether reported events such as the resurrection actually occurred or whether they are religious interpretations. The written accounts of his life were produced with a time gap of about 40 to 60 years after his death. In antiquity, information was predominantly transmitted orally, which differs significantly from today’s highly literate societies. According to the prevailing scholarly view, the Gospels of the New Testament were written in the first century and thus still within the lifetime of possible eyewitnesses.
The Bible comprises a total of 66 books written over a period of around 1600 years on three continents by approximately 40 authors in different languages. The Old Testament corresponds to the Hebrew scriptures of Judaism and includes various literary forms such as historical accounts, poetry, and wisdom literature. These texts initially circulated as independent writings and were only later compiled. By the time of Jesus, there was already broad agreement within Judaism about which writings were considered authoritative. Historical sources such as the works of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus indicate that a limited number of sacred texts were recognized, with their period of origin extending from Moses to the Persian era.
The Gospels report that after Jesus’ crucifixion, his tomb was found empty on the third day. Women, including Mary Magdalene, are named as the first witnesses of this discovery, which is considered unusual in the cultural context of the time. There is no direct account of the resurrection itself; instead, various sources describe encounters with Jesus after his death. The accounts differ in details, which is interpreted as an indication of independent traditions.