All of the figures in the New Testament who have been documented outside of it were either political or religious figures.
Name
Who Was He?
When Did He Flourish?
Where in the New Testament?
Evidence in Historical Writings
1
Jesus
Jewish preacher, healer, and teacher, called Christ; crucified by order of Pilate; then said to have risen
c. 27–30 C.E.
All NT books except Third John, but most often in the four Gospels
Tacitus, Annals; Josephus, Antiquities; Lucian of Samosata, Passing of Peregrinus; Celsus, On the True Doctrine (via Origen, Against Celsus); etc.
2
Gamaliel the Elder
Renowned Pharisee who rescued the apostles from the Sanhedrin
c. 20–c. 50 C.E.
Acts 5:34-39; Acts 22:3
Josephus, Life, and often in the Mishnah
3
John the Baptist
Righteous Jewish religious leader who preached virtue and piety; beheaded by Herod Antipas
c. 26–29/30 C.E.
Matthew 3:1-15; Matthew 11:2-18; Mark 1:1-9; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 1:5-23; Luke 7:18-33; John 1:6-8, John 1:19-37; John 3:23-34; Acts 1:5; Acts 13:24-25; etc.
Josephus, Antiquities
4
James, brother of Jesus
aka James the Just (not the son of Zebedee); brother of Jesus; a leader of the Jerusalem church; martyr
c. 30–62 C.E.
Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Acts 15:13; Acts 21:18; Galatians 1:19; Galatians 2:9, Galatians 2:12
Josephus, Antiquities
5
Annas, son of Seth
High priest and founder of a dynasty of high priests; first to interrogate Jesus
High priest 6–15 C.E.
Luke 3:2; John 18:13, John 18:19-24; Acts 4:6
Josephus, Antiquities
6
Caiaphas
High priest during Jesus’s trial
High priest 18–36/37 C.E.
Matthew 26:3, Matthew 26:57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49; John 18:13-28; Acts 4:6
