Ben Wilson

The authenticity of the Jesus passage in Josephus, the Testimonium Flavianum, is disputed, but I'm convinced that Josephus did have a Jesus passage, even though it was subsequently dressed up a bit.

The authenticity of the Jesus passage in Josephus, the Testimonium Flavianum, is disputed, but I'm convinced that Josephus did have a Jesus passage, even though it was subsequently dressed up a bit.

As we have it, the passage reads, "...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.

As we have it, the passage reads, "...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 Messiah, 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.

He was the Messiah, 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. And then N.T. Wright says that the highlighted passages are probably later editions by Christians to spruce it up a little bit. So here's how it reads, the same passage, without the highlighted portions.

And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared. And then N.T. Wright says that the highlighted passages are probably later editions by Christians to spruce it up a little bit. So here's how it reads, the same passage, without the highlighted portions.

About this time there lived Jesus, a wise 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. And when upon the accusation of the principal man among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease.

About this time there lived Jesus, a wise 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. And when upon the accusation of the principal man among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease.

And the tribe of the Christians so called after him has still to this day not disappeared. Okay, so N.T. Wright goes on. The bits I've highlighted in bold are the bits which most probably were glosses added by a scribe to give Jesus a better spin from Josephus, but in favor of the authenticity of the rest. Note one, the language here is consistent with Josephus' style elsewhere.

And the tribe of the Christians so called after him has still to this day not disappeared. Okay, so N.T. Wright goes on. The bits I've highlighted in bold are the bits which most probably were glosses added by a scribe to give Jesus a better spin from Josephus, but in favor of the authenticity of the rest. Note one, the language here is consistent with Josephus' style elsewhere.

Two, there is another mention of Jesus again, which presupposes what Josephus first wrote here. And three, the Arabic and Syriac versions of the text have a slightly less embellished version of the testimonium than the Greek copies and are therefore probably closer to the original wording. So while it is disputed, I think the testimonium is at its core authentic.

Two, there is another mention of Jesus again, which presupposes what Josephus first wrote here. And three, the Arabic and Syriac versions of the text have a slightly less embellished version of the testimonium than the Greek copies and are therefore probably closer to the original wording. So while it is disputed, I think the testimonium is at its core authentic.

Okay, so yeah, the historical Jesus is pretty well attested to as are many of the major points of his life. What about the miracles? Were the miracles Real. Or were they a later invention? Again from N.T. Wright. But why did the Judean leadership, the priestly aristocracy, request that Pilate inflict the death penalty on Jesus in the first place?

Okay, so yeah, the historical Jesus is pretty well attested to as are many of the major points of his life. What about the miracles? Were the miracles Real. Or were they a later invention? Again from N.T. Wright. But why did the Judean leadership, the priestly aristocracy, request that Pilate inflict the death penalty on Jesus in the first place?

As all the sources agree, the Romans did not allow subject peoples the right to use the death penalty. One immediate answer comes to us from a Jewish tradition preserved in the Babylonian Talmud about Jesus' execution. Quote, Jesus was hanged on the eve of Passover.

As all the sources agree, the Romans did not allow subject peoples the right to use the death penalty. One immediate answer comes to us from a Jewish tradition preserved in the Babylonian Talmud about Jesus' execution. Quote, Jesus was hanged on the eve of Passover.

The herald went before him for 40 days, saying, He is going to be stoned because he practiced sorcery and enticed and led Israel astray. Let everyone knowing anything in his defense come and plead for him. But nothing was found in his defense, so he was hanged on the eve of Passover. But in what ways did they think Jesus was leading the people astray?

The herald went before him for 40 days, saying, He is going to be stoned because he practiced sorcery and enticed and led Israel astray. Let everyone knowing anything in his defense come and plead for him. But nothing was found in his defense, so he was hanged on the eve of Passover. But in what ways did they think Jesus was leading the people astray?