How Josephus really viewed Jesus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47182/rb.85.n3-4-2023364Keywords:
Josephus, Testimonium Flavianum, TF variants, Signs Prophets, Historical JesusAbstract
This paper aims to see how Josephus viewed Jesus, his comparative figures
and see if Jesus fits the categorization of a “Sign Prophet” evidenced in Josephus.
The category was established by earlier scholars such as Barnett. The inception
and purpose of the movements initiated by various sign prophets, will serve as
a matrix for the Jesus movement. According to Josephus Jesus gathered two groups
to himself before he got executed. As careless as Josephus was, he would have given
a reason for the crucifixion. This excised reason could have been a typical eschatological
sign such as other Sign Prophets promised. Jesus gathering a crowd
and leading them to Jerusalem ending in execution, was typical of these charismatic
prophets in this time period. This examination requires a careful reading of the
Testimonium Flavianum (TF), as well as a comparative reading with other Sign
Prophet passages.
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