World’s First Reference to Christ Discovered on 2,000-Year-Old ‘Jesus Cup’
A ceramic bowl discovered off the coast of Egypt may contain the world’s first reference to Christ.
The so-called ‘Jesus Cup’ was unearthed in 2008 by a team led by French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio during an excavation of Alexandria’s ancient great harbor.
Remarkably well preserved, the bowl is missing only a handle and bears a Greek inscription: DIA CHRSTOU O GOISTAIS, translated as ‘Through Christ the chanter.’
Dr Jeremiah Johnston, a New Testament scholar, explained on a recent Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) segment that the artifact dates to the first century AD, the era when Jesus was crucified.
‘Jesus’ reputation was that he was a healer, miracle worker, and exorcist,’ Johnston said. ‘This Jesus Cup gives evidence to that legacy.’
Goddio suggested the inscription may have been intended to legitimize soothsaying rituals. The bowl closely resembles those depicted on early Egyptian statuettes, showing fortune-telling ceremonies. (Read more from “World’s First Reference to Christ Discovered on 2,000-Year-Old ‘Jesus Cup'” HERE)
