Question: I was curious if the Jewish religion believes that Jesus ever existed. If not, then what evidence is used to support this belief? Thank you very much for having this medium of information available.

Answer: Thank you for your question. The fact is that the Jewish religion is as varied in its beliefs as the number of Jewish people in the world.

There are some Jewish people that believe that Jesus never existed – that he is a legend like Robin Hood or King Arthur. There are others who believe that he existed, but not as the G-d/man savior that Christianity has made him out to be. Many of these believe that he was simply a second-Temple Jewish man with some different perspectives who gained a following, but proved, just as dozens of others had done, to not be the messiah.

There are references to someone with his name in the Talmud. However, because of the time at which this man had to have lived, it cannot be the same Jesus.

The only proof for the existence of Jesus is the New Testament itself,there is no outside evidence for his existence. Even the often quoted Jewish Historian Josephus’ passage about Jesus has been proven to be a forgery.

Many people claim that the mere fact that Jesus has made such a global impact is proof enough of his existence, but that brings into the argument the impact of Robin Hood, Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, etc. The book of Mormon has the same proof for its existence and christians will tell you its not the truth.

But even so, admitting that he existed still does not prove that he was the messiah.

All the Best,
Rabbi Azriel Schreiber