New findings have emerged regarding a bone box that some believe might have belonged to one of Jesus Christ’s brothers.
In 1976, Oded Golan, an antiques collector, acquired a limestone bone box with an intriguing inscription on its exterior.
The inscription read ‘James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus,’ sparking interest due to the biblical references to Jesus’ siblings, including James, Jude, Simon, and Joses.
Known as the James Ossuary, the box raised the possibility that it once contained the remains of one of Jesus Christ’s siblings.
When the discovery was announced in 2002, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) criticized the inscription, labeling it a forgery, according to Live Science.
The IAA assembled a team of scholars to examine the ‘brother of Jesus’ inscription, ultimately concluding that it was fabricated, as reported by Biblical Archaeology.
However, Dutch scholar Pieter van der Horst accused the IAA of choosing committee members who were predisposed to skepticism.
After a seven-year trial, Golan and others were exonerated of any forgery charges.
Nonetheless, Dr. Ben Witherington III, a Bible scholar from Asbury Theological Seminary, commented to The Daily Mail in November: “The likelihood of that particular combination of those three names not referring to the famous James the Just, and his father Joseph, and his brother Jesus are slim to none.”
“If it were true that the crucifixion was the end of Jesus’ story, no one would be bragging about being related to him on an ossuary.”
Recent evidence now suggests that the bone box may have a legitimate link to Christ.
Earlier this month, Golan told Crosswalk.com it is ‘almost sure’ that the ossuary ‘belonged to James, the brother of Jesus’.
He explained that ‘several chemical tests’ were conducted on the box, particularly on the inscription, which he deemed ‘the more important element’.
The tests reportedly confirmed the authenticity of the inscription, with Golan stating, “It was engraved several thousand years ago.”
He concluded: “If you put all those elements together, we are really facing one of the most, most important items ever found, not only in Israel, I think, but in history. …I think now there is no question about the authenticity of it.”