Josephus , Titus Flavius
History of Josephus, Titus Flavius
Josephus (33 - 100 A.D) was a Jewish historian and is known as one of the primary sources for understand the second Temple Judaism in 1st century A.D. By the end of the first century A.D he had written 'the Jewish Wars,' 'the Antiquities of the Jews,' 'Against Apion,' and 'The Life of Flavius Josephus.' His writings where records and eyewitness testimony that remain important to the historic context of early Christianity.
Life of Josephus Flavius
Flavius Josephus was born Yosef ben Matityahu as a memeber of the [priestly household in Jerusalem. He was educated in Jerusalem and is believed to have studied with the Pharasiees. He was appointed the poistion as commander of Galilee during the Great Jewish Revolt of 66 A.D.
Writings of Josephus
Josephus writings substantiate many of the historic details written about in the New Testament, including but not limited to the details of Jesus life, death and resurrection. The church and how God worked through them and how society reacted to the acts of the church at the time.
Herod Antipas, John the Batist and Pilate the governor that executed Jesus are all mentioned in his writings.
The Antiquities of the Jews (Public Domain)
Testimony of Flavius Josephus
The following is Josephus records in reference to Christ. We can see clearly that he confirms Jesus' place in history, who he was and what he did.
"About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Christ. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared."
- Antiquities 18.3
Criticism
A number of criticisms has arisen around the writing of Josephus. They believe here is a number of insertions to his writings to affirm Christ substantiation as the Messiah. Asserting that since Josephus was a Jew, he would not have affirmed that Jesus was the Christ or Messiah. Even though this criticism cannot be affirmed, the fact remains that at the very least this still affirms the place of Jesus in history and his death that is consistent with the Bible.