: Most historians and New Testament scholars—including skeptics like Bart Ehrman —agree that a Jewish man named Jesus did exist and was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
: The work highlights parallels between Gospel stories and older pagan myths. For example: Turning water into wine mirrors the god Dionysus . Healing miracles are compared to those of Asclepius . Calming the storm is seen as an echo of Poseidon .
is a book by Kenneth Humphreys , which is also the name of his associated website that critiques the historical existence of Jesus. Humphreys argues that the character of Jesus is a composite fictional creation. Key Arguments from the Work Jesus Never Existed
While Humphreys’ work has gained traction in certain circles, it stands in contrast to the majority of academic historians.
: He suggests that the Jesus story is a "peeled onion" that reveals nothing at its core, composed of elements borrowed from other figures like Apollonius of Tyana or Titus Caesar . Healing miracles are compared to those of Asclepius
: Scholars typically point to the Roman historian Tacitus and the Jewish historian Josephus as early external sources, though Humphreys and other mythicists like Richard Carrier often dismiss these as later forgeries or hearsay.
You can find more detailed critiques and the full scope of his arguments through the Jesus Never Existed website or his published book . Jesus Never Existed - Kenneth Humphreys Humphreys argues that the character of Jesus is
: Humphreys emphasizes that there are no neutral, contemporary historical records from the 1st century that mention Jesus, his trial, or his execution.