Category:Testimonium Flavianum (subject)

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Testimonium Flavianum refers to the passages in which the first-century Jewish historian Josephus mentions Jesus of Nazareth

Overview

Josephus contains two references to Jesus "who was called the Christ." Most scholars consider these references as authentic, even though the main passage specifically devoted to Jesus reveals some obvious Christian interpolations. Once these interpolations are removed however, the passage is consistent with Josephus' vocabulary and theology.

The positive attitude of Josephus toward Jesus as a "wise man" is in line with Josephus' positive attitude, even admiration toward Essene-type teachers (like John the Baptist or Banus). They are all described as "wise men," with the removal of any apocalyptic emphasis from their teachings.

Josephus on Jesus

Ant 18:63-64 -- About the time (of Pilate) lived Jesus, a wise man [if indeed it be lawful to call him a man]. He was a doer of wonderful things and a teacher of men who delight in accepting the truth. He attracted many Jews and also many from the Greek world. <He was called the Christ> [lit. He was indeed the Christ]; and when, on the accusation of our leading men. Pilate condemned him to the cross, those who loved him from the first did not cease to do so. [For he appeared to them again alive on the third day, the divine prophets having foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things about him.] The race of Christians named after him has survived to this day.

Cf. Ant 20:199-203 -- [The High Priest Ananias] was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, who were very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews... He assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some of his companions; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the Law, he delivered them to be stoned.

Hegesippus

In book 2 of the Hegesippus, a version of the so-called Testimonium Flavianum can be found, which may come from an interpolated manuscript of Josephus' Antiquities.

About which the Jews themselves bear witness, Josephus a writer of histories saying, that there was in that time a wise man, if it is proper however, he said, to call a man the creator of marvelous works, who appeared living to his disciples after three days of his death in accordance with the writings of the prophets, who prophesied both this and innumerable other things full of miracles about him. from which began the community of Christians and penetrated into every tribe of men nor has any nation of the Roman world remained, which was left without worship of him. If the Jews don't believe us, they should believe their own people. Josephus said this, whom they themselves think very great, but it is so that he was in his own self who spoke the truth otherwise in mind, so that he did not believe his own words. But he spoke because of loyalty to history, because he thought it a sin to deceive, he did not believe because of stubbornness of heart and the intention of treachery. He does not however prejudge the truth because he did not believe but he added more to his testimony, because although disbelieving and unwilling he did not refuse.

External links

• Wikipedia (Josephus on Jesus)