As bishop of Antioch and a leader in the early church, Ignatius was condemned to death in Rome. On the way to his execution he addressed seven letters to six churches and one individual (Polycarp). These letters are early witnesses to Christian doctrine and to early church hierarchy, being written about AD 110–115. They also contain several historical references to Jesus. In his epistle to the Trallians, Ignatius states: Jesus Christ who was of the race of David, who was the Son of Mary, who was truly born and ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate, was truly crucified and died in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and those under the earth; who moreover was truly raised from the dead, His Father having raised Him, who in the like fashion will so raise us also who believe on Him.^4 In this portion, Ignatius affirms several facts concerning Jesus. (1)He was of the lineage of David and (2)born of Mary. (3)As such, he really lived, ate and drank on the earth. (4)Jesus was crucified and died at the hands of Pontius Pilate. (5) Afterward God raised him from the dead, (6)as an example of the believer’s resurrection. Again we perceive how the resurrection was the chief sign for believers, in this case that they would be raised from the dead like Jesus.
In his epistle to the Smyrneans, Ignatius refers twice to the historical Jesus. In the first instance, he asserts concerning Jesus: He is truly of the race of David according to the flesh, but Son of God by the Divine will and power, truly born of a virgin and baptised by John that all righteousness might be fulfilledby Him, truly nailed up in the flesh for our sakes under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch (of which fruit are we—that is, of His most blessed passion); that He might set up an ensign unto all ages through His resurrection.^5 (Emphasis added by the editor.)
Ignatius again affirms (7)that Jesus was physically of the lineage of David, adding (8)that he was also the Son of God as shown by the virgin birth. (9)Jesus was baptized by John, (10)later being nailed (crucified) under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch. (11)Afterward, Jesus was raised from the dead.
4 Ignatius, Trallians, 9.
5 Ignatius, Smyrneans, 1.
In a second reference in Smyrneans, Ignatius concentrates on Jesus’ resurrection: For I know and believe that He was in the flesh even after the resurrection; and when He came to Peter and his company, He said to them, Lay hold and handle me, and see that I am not a demon without a body.And straitway they touched him and they believed, being joined unto His flesh and His blood. Wherefore also they despised death, nay they were found superior to death. And after His resurrection He [both] ate with them and drank with them.^6 (Emphasis added by the editor.)
Speaking of the resurrection, Ignatius affirms that Jesus (12)was raised in the flesh. (13)Afterward he appeared to Peter and the disciples and told them to touch his physical body, which they did. (14)Jesus then ate and drank with them after his resurrection. (15)In a statement reminiscent of Lucian, Ignatius also relates that upon believing, the disciples despised death.
A last reference which Ignatius makes concerning the historical Jesus is found in his epistle to the Magnesians: Be ye fully persuaded concerning the birth and the passion and the resurrection, which took place in the time of the governorship of Pontius Pilate; for these things were truly and certainly done by Jesus Christ our hope.^7
