Josephus Sources for the historicity of Jesus

a page 1466 copy of antiquities of jews

the writings of 1st century romano-jewish historian flavius josephus include references jesus , origins of christianity. josephus antiquities of jews, written around 93–94 ce, includes 2 references jesus in books 18 , 20.

of 2 passages, james passage in book 20 used scholars support existence of jesus, testimonium flavianum in book 18 crucifixion. josephus james passage attests existence of jesus historical person , of contemporaries considered him messiah. according bart ehrman, josephus passage jesus altered christian scribe, including reference jesus messiah.

a textual argument against authenticity of james passage use of term christos there seems unusual josephus. argument based on flow of text in document that, given mention of jesus appears in antiquities before of john baptist, christian interpolator may have inserted place jesus in text before john. further argument against authenticity of james passage have read without reference jesus.

the passage deals death of james brother of jesus in jerusalem. whereas works of josephus refer @ least twenty different people name jesus, passage specifies jesus 1 called christ . louis feldman states passage, above others, indicates josephus did jesus.

modern scholarship has universally acknowledged authenticity of reference in book 20, chapter 9, 1 of antiquities brother of jesus, called christ, name james , , considers having highest level of authenticity among references of josephus christianity.

the testimonium flavianum (meaning testimony of flavius [josephus]) name given passage found in book 18, chapter 3, 3 of antiquities in josephus describes condemnation , crucifixion of jesus @ hands of roman authorities. scholars have differing opinions on total or partial authenticity of reference in passage execution of jesus pontius pilate. general scholarly view while testimonium flavianum not authentic in entirety, broadly agreed upon consisted of authentic nucleus reference execution of jesus pilate subject christian interpolation. although exact nature , extent of christian redaction remains unclear, there broad consensus original text of testimonium josephus have looked like.

the references found in antiquities have no parallel texts in other work josephus such jewish war, written twenty years earlier, scholars have provided explanations absence, such antiquities covers longer time period , during twenty-year gap between writing of jewish wars (c. 70 ce) , antiquities (after 90 ce) christians had become more important in rome , hence given attention in antiquities.

a number of variations exist between statements josephus regarding deaths of james , new testament accounts. scholars view these variations indications josephus passages not interpolations, because christian interpolator more have made them correspond christian traditions. robert eisenman provides numerous christian sources confirm josephus testament, james brother of jesus.