How Flavius Josephus Describes Jesus: A Historical Analysis

 Flavius Josephus, a 1st-century Jewish historian, is one of the few non-Christian sources that mention Jesus. His writings provide an external, historical reference to Jesus of Nazareth, which is significant because they come from a Jewish historian who was not a follower of Christ. The most famous reference appears in his work Antiquities of the Jews, written around 93-94 AD. This post will analyze how Josephus describes Jesus, the authenticity of his account, and its historical significance.

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1. Who Was Flavius Josephus?

Flavius Josephus (37-100 AD) was a Jewish historian, priest, and military leader. Born in Jerusalem, he initially fought against the Romans in the Jewish Revolt (66-70 AD) but later defected to the Roman side. He became a historian under Roman patronage, writing The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews, which aimed to explain Jewish history and culture to a Greco-Roman audience.

His works are among the most valuable historical records of the 1st century, providing crucial insights into Judaism, the Second Temple period, and figures like Pontius Pilate, John the Baptist, and Jesus.

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2. The Testimonium Flavianum: Josephus’ Mention of Jesus

The most significant passage about Jesus in Josephus' writings is found in Antiquities of the Jews (Book 18, Chapter 3, Section 3). The passage, known as the Testimonium Flavianum, reads as follows:

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

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3. Is This Passage Authentic? The Debate Over the Testimonium

Scholars have long debated whether the Testimonium Flavianum is authentic, partially authentic, or a later Christian interpolation. The main arguments are:

Evidence for Authenticity (Partial or Full)

• The passage exists in the earliest surviving copies of Josephus' works, particularly those preserved by Christian scribes.
• Church fathers like Eusebius (4th century) quote this passage, suggesting it existed at least by then.
• The structure and language align with Josephus' style, except for certain Christian-sounding phrases.

Evidence for Interpolation (Christian Tampering)

• The phrases “if it be lawful to call him a man” and “he was the Christ” sound too Christian for a Jewish historian.
• Josephus, a Pharisee, would unlikely affirm Jesus' resurrection so explicitly.
• Early Christian writers like Origen (3rd century) reference Josephus but do not mention this passage, suggesting later insertion.

Compromise: A Modified Original?

Many scholars propose that Josephus originally mentioned Jesus neutrally, but later Christian scribes modified the passage to make it sound more favorable to Jesus. A reconstructed version, removing suspected Christian additions, might read:

“At that time there was a wise man named Jesus. He was a teacher and performed surprising works. Many Jews and Greeks became his disciples. When Pilate had him executed, those who followed him did not abandon him, and the Christian movement continues to this day.”

This version keeps the historical core but removes overt theological claims.

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4. Josephus on James, the Brother of Jesus

A second reference to Jesus appears in Antiquities (Book 20, Chapter 9, Section 1), where Josephus discusses the execution of James, the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ. This passage is considered more authentic since it is brief and lacks Christian embellishments. The key text states:

“Ananus convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, along with some others. He accused them of breaking the law and handed them over to be stoned.”

This reference confirms that Josephus acknowledged Jesus as a historical figure, known to have followers, and that his brother James was executed for his faith.

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5. Historical Significance of Josephus’ Account

Josephus' references to Jesus are crucial for several reasons:

• Non-Christian Confirmation: As a Jewish historian writing for Romans, Josephus had no reason to invent Jesus. His testimony corroborates Gospel accounts from an external source.
• Independent Evidence of Jesus' Crucifixion: The passage confirms that Jesus was executed under Pilate, matching Gospel narratives.
• Christianity’s Early Presence: Josephus acknowledges that followers of Jesus were still active in the late 1st century.

Even if parts of the Testimonium were modified, the core historical details about Jesus' existence, his crucifixion, and his followers remain valid.

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Conclusion

Flavius Josephus provides one of the earliest extra-biblical references to Jesus, describing him as a wise teacher and confirming his execution under Pontius Pilate. While the Testimonium Flavianum may have been altered by Christian scribes, most scholars agree that Josephus originally mentioned Jesus in some form. His second reference to James further supports Jesus' historical existence.

Josephus’ writings, alongside other sources like Tacitus and Pliny the Younger, help confirm that Jesus was a real historical figure whose teachings and crucifixion led to the rise of Christianity.

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References

• Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews
• Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
• Origen, Contra Celsum
• Tacitus, Annals