What is the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus?

The resurrection rests on solid historical evidence, evaluated the same way historians evaluate any ancient claim.

1. The empty tomb: even hostile sources (Matthew 28:11-15) didn't dispute the tomb was empty, only argued about why. 2. Multiple, early, independent eyewitness testimony: Paul records a creed dated to within 2-5 years of the crucifixion listing over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). 3. The transformation of the disciples: frightened men who fled at Jesus's arrest were, within weeks, boldly proclaiming His resurrection at the cost of their lives — a change best explained by something they were genuinely convinced they had seen. 4. The conversion of skeptics like Paul (an active persecutor of the church) and James (Jesus's skeptical brother).

Naturalistic alternatives (hallucination, theft, swoon theory) each struggle to explain the full range of these facts as well as the resurrection itself does.