What does archaeology show about how many Jews believed that Jesus was the Messiah?
Archaeology supports that thousands of Jews became adherents who embraced that Jesus was the Messiah. They faced constant pressure from Judaizing Jews, yet many Jews became believers that Jesus was indeed their Messiah, the Christ, showing significant Jewish acceptance of Him.
Les explains that archaeology supports the record in Acts 9:31 that the churches—these Jewish believers—had rest throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified and multiplied. He notes there were thousands of Jews who became adherents of Jesus as Messiah. They embraced that, even though they were under constant pressure from Judaizing Jews. Nevertheless, a lot of Jews became believers that Jesus was indeed their Messiah, the Christ.
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.