Central to Christianity, he is presented as both a historical figure and the divine Son of God, whose life and resurrection are examined throughout the book.

A theologian known for his expertise on the New Testament gospels, whose insights on the reliability of the gospels open Strobel's investigation.

A disciple of Jesus and a former tax collector, he is traditionally credited with authoring the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.

Not an apostle, but an early Christian associate of Paul and Peter, traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Mark.

Not one of the twelve apostles, he is a historian and physician believed to have authored the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

An apostle and part of Jesus's inner circle, commonly accepted to have written the Gospel of John, despite some scholarly debate.

One of Jesus’s apostles and crucial eyewitness, his close relationship with John Mark is key to the credibility of certain gospels.

An apostle influential in spreading Christianity, known for his extensive writings, which are part of the New Testament.

Figures in a criminal case highlighted by Strobel to illustrate how evidence that appears conclusive can be misleading.

A victim of a heinous crime whose testimony was crucial in court, illustrating the significance of eyewitnesses despite attempts to discredit them.

A respected scholar of the New Testament manuscripts, who discusses the integrity and authenticity of biblical texts with Strobel.

Part of a criminal case used to emphasize the importance of corroborative evidence in supporting witness testimony.

A historian who provides insights into non-biblical sources that corroborate the existence and stories of Jesus.

Ancient writers and historians who are referenced for their accounts that support biblical narratives about Jesus.

A Jewish historian whose works are cited as external evidence of Jesus's existence.

A subject of a famous murder trial, used as an example to underscore the role of forensic evidence in uncovering truth.

An archaeologist consulted by Strobel to explore the archaeological support for New Testament accounts.

Involved in a legal example illustrating the concept of rebuttal evidence in courtroom and biblical contexts.

A group of scholars whose controversial views on Jesus and the biblical accounts are examined in the book.

A theologian who critiques the Jesus Seminar's positions, reinforcing the traditional Christian perspectives presented by Strobel.

A historical figure whose story is compared to that of Jesus to explore claims of supernatural abilities in the ancient world.

An FBI profiler included to demonstrate the art of deducing character and truth from evidence.

A theologian consulted to analyze Jesus's self-perception and claims of divinity through gospel accounts.

A psychologist who examines Jesus's mental stability in relation to his actions and statements of divinity.

A theologian who discusses whether Jesus exhibits the characteristics attributed to God in the Old Testament.

A Jewish convert to Christianity whose personal story adds an emotional perspective to Strobel's investigation.

Featured in an opening anecdote, illustrating the pivotal role of medical evidence in legal contexts.

Provides expert testimony on the medical aspects of crucifixion, highlighting the physical reality of Jesus’s death.

Her unsolved disappearance is compared to the empty tomb narrative to explore differing interpretations of missing bodies.

A philosopher and theologian who delves into the burial and resurrection narratives, presenting evidence for these events.

A girl whose missing body serves as an analogy to contrast with the resurrection claims about Jesus.

The Sanhedrin member responsible for Jesus’s burial, whose historical existence supports the gospel accounts.

A scholar who provides evidence and arguments supporting the assertion that Jesus was seen alive after his crucifixion.

Concludes the book with a synthesis of philosophical and theological arguments supporting the resurrection of Jesus.