Context: An early non-Christian reference to the crucifixion of Jesus is likely to be Mara Bar-Serapion's letter to his son, written sometime after AD 73 but before the 3rd century AD. The letter includes no Christian themes and the author is presumed to be a pagan. The letter refers to the retributions that followed the unjust treatment of three wise men: Socrates, Pythagoras, and "the wise king" of the Jews. Some scholars see little doubt that the reference to the execution of the "king of the Jews" is about the crucifixion of Jesus, while others place less value in the letter, given the possible ambiguity in the reference.

Question: Where can an early non-Christian reference be found to the Crucifixion?
Answer: Mara Bar-Serapion's letter to his son

Question: What is the author of the letter assumed to be?
Answer: pagan

Question: What does the letter reference?
Answer: retributions that followed the unjust treatment of three wise men

Question: Other than Jesus, who was one of the wisemen?
Answer: Socrates

Question: Does everyone agree with the content of the letter?
Answer: others place less value in the letter

Question: Who did Socrates write a letter to about the crucifixion?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: When did Socrates write a letter to his son about the crucifixion?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What religion is Socrates presumed to follow?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Who was Socrates referring to in his letter according to Pythagoras?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: How much value did Pythagoras place in the crucifixion?
Answer: Unanswerable