Flavius Josephus: An Important Historian

Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37 -c.100) is the author of two works considered by academia to be two of the most important accounts of history. His first work, The Wars of the Jews, was written as a general historical account of wars from the time of the Maccabees to the Great War with Rome. It was this war that ultimately destroyed the nation of Israel.

His other major work, The Antiquities of the Jews, is important for one reason: it was written for the benefit of the non-Jewish world. It is the history of the Jewish nation from earliest times to his own time. Josephus was born into a wealthy Jewish family; he was well educated and rose quickly to positions of stature in the Jewish community.

A trip to Rome profoundly changed his life. He was impressed by the power of the empire and began to fall on the side of Rome in disputes. Ultimately, he gained his rights as a Roman citizen and adopted the emperor's family name, Flavius. Why am I rambling on about Flavius Josephus? Two reasons! One, he is considered to be "the" historical record by all of academia on the history of the Jews, and his works are the principle source for the history of the Jews from the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (B.C. 175 - 163) to the fall of Masada in A.D. 73.

And two, the quote below, which is often forgotten by many historians.

"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 first did not forsake him for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets 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."

If you study history or read history you will hear his name often, and you will hear it in a very positive light. The next time you hear the name, Josephus, remember this passage and be encouraged for Jesus Christ lives!