Are there ancient witnesses to the crucifixion darkness?

If a remarkable event like the sky darkening in the middle of the day truly occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus, we might expect to find mentions of it in historical records beyond the Gospel accounts. While the evidence is not definitive, a few interesting references do exist and they deserve careful consideration.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe a period of darkness from noon to 3 p.m. during the crucifixion. But do any non-biblical sources mention a similar event?

One often-cited reference comes from Tertullian, writing around 197 AD in his Apologeticus. Addressing Roman officials directly, he states: "You yourselves have the account of the world-portent still in your archives." This is a remarkable claim. It suggests that Roman records preserved some memory of an extraordinary event.

While we no longer have access to the archives Tertullian referenced, it is worth noting how bold such a statement would be if it were entirely fabricated. Tertullian was making a case to a hostile and educated audience, namely Roman authorities who would have been quick to challenge or mock false claims. For him to refer to a specific record allegedly in their possession suggests he believed it was either genuinely known or at least plausible enough not to undermine his argument. If he had simply invented the claim, he would have risked being laughed out of the room.

Another potentially relevant mention appears in the works of Origen, who cites the 13th book of the now-lost Chronicle by Phlegon of Tralles. Origen reports that Phlegon described an unusual darkness and an earthquake during the reign of Tiberius Caesar, possibly around 32 to 33 AD, which aligns with the traditional date of the crucifixion. However, this is a secondhand account, and the exact wording and context of Phlegon’s original writing are unknown.

Perhaps the most unexpected reference comes from China. In the History of the Later Han Dynasty, Volume 1, Chronicles of Emperor Guang Wu, 7th year (traditionally dated to 31 AD), there is a passage that reads:
"Yin and Yang have mistakenly switched, and the sun and moon were eclipsed. The sins of all the people are now on one man. Pardon is proclaimed to all under heaven."

Some have proposed this passage as a reference to the crucifixion. However, scholars caution that this is highly speculative. The translation is debated, the dating is not exact, and the phrase about “sins on one man” may reflect a later Christian interpretation or even a mistranslation. While intriguing, it should not be treated as firm evidence.

My take

For Christians, these scattered references might offer important context that aligns with the Gospel narratives. They may suggest that something unusual was observed or remembered by different cultures around the ancient world.

From a historical-critical standpoint, these accounts present an intriguing but inconclusive puzzle. The limitations of ancient documentation, the ambiguity of translations, and the fragmentary nature of the sources make it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

Of all these accounts, Tertullian's reference remains the most interesting. His direct appeal to Roman archives, made to the very authorities who could have easily refuted him, suggests a certain confidence in his claim. If indeed the Romans had documented this "world-portent" as he called it, this would represent the most official and potentially reliable corroboration of the Gospel accounts. Unfortunately, without access to those archives today, we're left with questions about what those records might have contained.

Image source: Carl Bloch, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons