The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus described Jesus as a wise man and a doer of wonderful works who attracted a significant following among both Jews and Gentiles.
In his extensive work, Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus includes a passage, known as the Testimonium Flavianum, which directly references Jesus. This is one of the earliest non-Christian references to Jesus Christ and is highly significant for understanding the historical context of early Christianity.
The Testimonium Flavianum: A Key Historical Reference
Josephus, writing for a Roman audience around 93-94 AD, provided a historical account of the Jewish people. Within this narrative, he included a passage that speaks about Jesus. This particular text describes Jesus 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."
Key Elements of Josephus's Description
From this pivotal passage, several key aspects of Josephus's understanding (or portrayal) of Jesus emerge:
- A Wise Man: Jesus is acknowledged for his wisdom.
- Doer of Wonderful Works: He was recognized for performing extraordinary deeds, often interpreted as miracles.
- Teacher: He was a compelling instructor who attracted those eager to learn the truth.
- Gathered a Diverse Following: Jesus successfully drew many adherents from both the Jewish population and non-Jews (Gentiles).
This concise description highlights Jesus's impact and recognition as a notable figure during his time, even from a non-Christian perspective.
The Historical Significance and Debates
The Testimonium Flavianum is a crucial piece of historical evidence because it is an external, non-Christian account of Jesus's existence and impact. However, the passage has been subject to extensive scholarly debate regarding its full authenticity.
Arguments for and Against the Passage's Authenticity
Most scholars agree that a core reference to Jesus by Josephus is authentic, but that certain phrases within the passage were likely added or altered by Christian scribes in later centuries.
| Argument for Authenticity (Core) | Argument for Interpolation (Certain Phrases) |
|---|---|
| Mentions Jesus' Existence: Josephus confirms Jesus was a real person. | "If it be lawful to call him a man": Sounds like a Christian confession of divinity, unlikely from a Jew. |
| Mentions His Followers: Acknowledges the rise of Christianity. | "He was the Christ": This specific phrase (found in some versions) is seen as a clear Christian interpolation, as Josephus was not a Christian. |
| Fits Chronological Context: The passage appears in a relevant section of Josephus's work concerning Pilate's time. | Josephus's Non-Christian Stance: If entirely authentic, it would imply Josephus believed Jesus was the Messiah, which is inconsistent with his Jewish identity and other writings. |
| Presence in Ancient Manuscripts: The passage exists in all surviving Greek manuscripts of Josephus's Antiquities. | Lack of Early Christian Citation: Some early Christian writers who diligently quoted Josephus surprisingly omitted this passage, suggesting it may have been less "Christian" in its original form. |
Despite these debates, the prevailing scholarly consensus is that Josephus genuinely mentioned Jesus and that the core of the passage – recognizing Jesus as a wise man who performed unusual deeds and gained a significant following – is authentic. This makes it an invaluable historical witness to Jesus's existence and early influence.
Josephus's Context
Flavius Josephus (born Joseph ben Matityahu) was a prominent Jewish historian and Roman citizen. He lived from approximately 37 to 100 AD and served as a military commander during the First Jewish-Roman War (66–73 AD) before becoming a historian under the patronage of the Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus. His works, particularly The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews, provide essential insights into first-century Judaism and the historical backdrop of early Christianity.
