Was the Bible Right
1st century CE·New Testament·Artifact

Yehohanan: the Crucified Man

Scripture: John 19:38–42; Mark 15:42–46

The claim

After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea places Jesus' body in a tomb.

What archaeology found

In 1968 Vassilios Tzaferis excavated tombs at Giv'at ha-Mivtar in Jerusalem. One held the bones of a young man named Yehohanan, with an iron nail still driven through his heel bone. It is the clearest physical evidence of Roman crucifixion in the region.

Where it was found

Loading map…

Giv'at ha-Mivtar, JerusalemView on OpenStreetMap

Sources

  1. Vassilios Tzaferis, Jewish Tombs at and near Giv'at ha-Mivtar, Jerusalem, Israel Exploration Journal 20 (1970)
  2. Joseph Zias and Eliezer Sekeles, The Crucified Man from Giv'at ha-Mivtar: A Reappraisal, Israel Exploration Journal 35 (1985)

Verdict history

  • SupportedInitial verdict.