Flavius Josephus was a first-century Jewish historian who lived through the fall of Jerusalem and later served under the Roman Emperor Vespasian. Originally a Jewish military leader, he survived the First Jewish-Roman War and controversially aligned with Rome, becoming a citizen and historian. During his lifetime, he witnessed the rise and fall of empires mentioned in Daniel 2:21. His most famous works, especially Antiquities of the Jews, provide valuable historical context for many biblical figures and events. Though not a Christian, Josephus affirmed the existence of people like Herod, Pilate, John the Baptist, James, and even Jesus. His life exemplifies how God can use even unbelievers to make known the truth (Romans 9:17). His writings continue to support the credibility of Scripture and offer unique insight into the world of the Bible.
Flavius Josephus was a first-century Jewish-Roman historian. Born in Jerusalem, his original name was Joseph ben Matityahu. He fought against the Romans during the First Jewish-Roman War, and when he predicted, based on Jewish Messianic prophecy, the rise of Vespasian to the throne, Vespasian kept Josephus as a slave and interpreter in his court. When Vespasian did become Emperor, he set Josephus free, and he added the emperor's family name, Flavius, to his own. Around the same time, he became a Roman citizen.
Josephus is most famous for recording the history of the Jewish people. His most famous work is called Antiquities of the Jews, and provides a great deal of interesting detail by which we can verify the historicity of the Bible. Josephus' own history paints him as an enigmatic figure. He was clearly a brave and intelligent leader in the Jewish army, but there are moments that seem to suggest he was also shrewd and self-serving. Surrounded by the Romans in a cave at Jotapata, Josephus suggested that the men draw lots and kill one another in a collective suicide, rather than being captured. This they did, leaving only two men alive to be captured, one of which was Josephus himself. There is no proof that Josephus engineered this, but historians have been skeptical about his motives, seeing as how he later defected and became a Roman citizen; they’ve condemned his actions, calling him a traitor and duplicitous. Despite his ambiguous morality, there is no doubt that God used Flavius Josephus.
Flavius Josephus wrote about the time when Jesus was alive, giving historical account of many of the people and places mentioned in the gospels, including Herod the Great, the Sadducees, the Pharisees and Essenes, the Zealots, Pontius Pilate, John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and Jesus Himself. And there are many other accounts in Josephus of the Jewish people, before the time of Jesus. While to those who have faith, the Bible stands alone and does not need historical documents to be truthful (2 Timothy 3:16-17), it is wonderful to see the truth affirmed in Josephus' writings and get a fuller picture of the times and lives of the Jewish people. Bible scholars today still consistently reference Flavius Josephus as a reliable historian.
Quotes by Flavius Josephus:
“Truth is a thing that is immortal and eternal.”
“for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had 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.”
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man;”
“Now as to Hades, wherein the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are detained, it is necessary to speak of it. Hades is a place in the world not regularly finished: a subterraneous region, wherein the light of this world does not shine. ”
“Your bodies are mortal, and subject to fate; but they receive a sort of immortality, by the remembrance of what actions they have done.”
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