* Was Jesus just one of many first-century magicians who did healings? Why take his 'miracles' any more seriously than those of the others?
John replies. You are right that there are mentions of other healers in the period of Jesus. What’s more, we know there was a widespread belief in the possibility of miraculous healing. Rabbi Honi the Circle Drawer (died 65 BC) is said to have caused it to rain in a time of drought. Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa (died before AD 70) prayed for people’s healing and they were apparently healed. In the Graeco-Roman culture the most famous healer – and one often thought to be a good parallel to Jesus – is Apollonius of Tyanna (died before AD 100). He was a philosopher and wondering miracle-worker. He is said to have healed the sick and even in raised the dead. In fact, the stories about him are remarkably similar to those about Jesus in the Gospels. So, yes, there are parallels to Jesus. Why take Jesus’ miracles any more seriously than those of others. Two things to say. First, I wouldn’t want to claim that Jesus was utterly unique. I have no reason to doubt that God in his grace would be pleased to heal people through non-Christian figures. God owns the whole world not just Christendom. Secondly, and most importantly, there is one very good reason to take Jesus’ miracles more seriously than any one else’s. The evidence for his reputation as a healer is early and widespread, whereas the evidence for these other figures is late and sparse. Honi is mentioned only in Josephus (more than 150 years later) and the Mishnah (more than 250 years later). Two sources a century or more later is not great evidence. What about Hanina? He is mentioned twice in the Mishnah, 130 years after his death. And Apollonius? Pretty much the same. The only source for his miracle stories is the Life of Apollonius written in the year 220 by the philosopher Philostratus. What’s more, the book was commissioned by Empress Julia Domna who was an avowed anti-Christian. Not only is this source very late, it was probably deliberately crafted as an answer to the growing popularity in Rome of Jesus and the Gospels. In other words, it is not very good evidence. Personally, I don’t doubt Apollonius, by God’s grace, could have brought healing to some. But the source as it stands is not trustworthy. Compare all this with Jesus. We have eight separate sources referring to healing in his name by the year 90. That’s eight sources in a 60 year period. Half of these – Mark, Q, James and Paul – were written within 30 years. The fact is, Jesus is the most securely attested healing figure in the ancient world, which is why scholars of all persuasions agree that he did things which those around him believed were miracles.