Flavian Midrash Sources of the New Testament

This paper by Cliff Carrington is a good introduction to the sources used to create the Christian Tradition, as found in the New Testament. I will follow this with a further and more complete list.

Introduction

Dramatis Personae:

(The dates are indicative not definitive.)

• The Herods:

Antipater (Antipas), murdered 43 BCE:

Father of Herod, backed Pompey, then assisted Julius Caesar, and was appointed by him ruler of Judea.

Herod the Great, 73-4 BCE, ruled Judea 31-4 BCE:

After Caesar’s death Herod backed, Sextus Caesar, Crassus, Mark Antony, and finally Augustus; who confirmed his rule and extended his territory. He built, or started, the temple in Jerusalem which the Romans later destroyed.

Herod Agrippa I, 10 BCE-44 CE, ruled Judea 41-44 CE:

Grandson of Herod, he was raised with Claudius in Antonia’s household. Financed by Alexander Lysimachus he became a good friend of Caligula. He later assisted Claudius to the throne. Appointed king of Judea by Claudius, and by intrigue he later gained the territories governed by two of his brothers. After spending most of his life as an impoverished prince he died at the peak of his prosperity.

Herod Agrippa II, 27-100 CE:

Son of Agrippa I, educated in Claudius’ household. He attended Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and assisted Vespasian in the war, then to the throne. After the war he was granted extensive territories by Vespasian. Josephus claimed him as a friend and patron.

Sisters of Agrippa II:

Bernice (Berenice):

First married to Marcus, son of Julius Alexander Lysimachus, the Alabarch of the Alexandrian Jews. Upon his early death she was married to Herod of Chalcis, her father’s brother. Upon his death she remained unmarried under the protection of her brother, Agrippa II. She became Titus’ mistress, until they had to part to allow Titus to become emperor.

Mariamne:

Married to Archelaus, king of Cappadocia, and soon divorced. She eventually married Demetrius the Alabarch of the Alexandrian Jews.

Drusilla:

Married to Azizus, king of Emesa, and soon divorced. She eventually married Felix, the Governor of Judea.

 

• The Alexandrian Connection:

Philo Judaeus 25 BCE-42 CE:

Jewish Neopythagorean philosopher, who tried to blend Greek philosophy with Judaism. He was also active in Alexandrian public affairs, and was an ambassador to Caligula for the Alexandrian Jews. We have no record of his proper name, as his nickname simply means a ‘Jewish Philosopher’.

Julius Alexander Lysimachus, Alabarch, 10 BCE-mid 1st C. CE;

Younger brother of Philo, Alabarch of the Alexandrian Jews, richest family in Alexandria, tax-gatherer of Egypt, and provider of several king’s ransoms. He financed Herod Agrippa I to claim his kingdom. Lysimachus donated the great bronze gates for the Temple at Jerusalem. He was the Steward, or Overseer, of the estate of Antonia, the youngest daughter of Mark Antony, and mother of the Emperor Claudius.

Tiberius Julius Alexander, 20 CE – late 1st C. CE:

Son of Alexander Lysimachus, nephew of Philo, renounced Judaism for the Roman civil service, where he held Equestrian rank. He was governor of Judea 46-48, and later stood as Rome’s hostage for king Tiridates of Parthia in 63. He was the 2nd in command at the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 69-70, (which incidentally destroyed the bronze gates that his father had donated). Alexander was the Prefect of Alexandria under Nero, Galba, Otho; and was the first Roman official to proclaim Vespasian Emperor. Made Governor of all Egypt by Vespasian, 71.

• The Flavians:

Titus Flavius Vespasian, 9-79 CE (69-79);

Born in common circumstances, his father was a customs collector, he rose to become a commander of legions in Britain and Germany. He was put in charge of the Judean campaign by Nero. He had two sons by his wife, but when she died he returned to his long-term mistress Caenis, the confidential secretary to Antonia, the youngest daughter of Mark Antony and the mother of Emperor Claudius. His elder brother, Flavius Sabinus, was Prefect of Rome, Police Chief. Sabinus’ position meant that he was the most powerful man in the City of Rome after the Emperors, under Nero, Galba, Otho and Vitellius. Flavius Sabinus was killed in the Capitol of Jupiter by Vitellius’ men the day before Vespasian’s victorious army entered Rome. Although Vespasian had been born a commoner he created a new Imperial dynasty and resurrected the Roman Empire after the degeneration of the Julio-Claudians ended with the death of Nero.

Titus Flavius Vespasian, 39-81 (79-81);

Vespasian’s eldest son, educated in the imperial household with Claudius’ son Britannicus, his bosom companion; “and was taught the same subjects from the same masters.”. Britannicus was to be the next emperor following his father Claudius; but for Nero. He witnessed his friend’s poisoning by Nero, and drained the dregs of the fatal draft but survived. Served as military tribune in Britain and Germany, commanded a legion in Judea, and commanded the destruction of Jerusalem. In the process he oversaw the establishment of what we know as Rabbinic Judaism, later located at Jamnia. Titus returned to Rome where he was his father’s imperial colleague, and successor. He was the Overseer for the establishment and control of libraries and universities throughout the empire. Titus was also a master forger who organised a very useful and comprehensive Intelligence department throughout the Empire? Titus was an excellent administrator who set up a long-lasting professional civil service which served the succeeding emperors for centuries.

Titus Flavius Domitian, 51-96 (81-96);

Last Flavian-born emperor, staged a palace purge of Jews and was assassinated in the aftermath. By disrupting Titus’ Jewish intelligence operations he was probably indirectly the cause of the next two Jewish revolts in 115 and 135, and the ultimate rise of Christianity out of Judaism. He was followed by the ‘Good’ or Adoptive Flavian Emperors; Nerva, 96-98; Trajan, 98-117; and Hadrian, 117-138. The elderly Nerva had been a longstanding friend of the family and shared a Consulship with Vespasian. Trajan’s father had served as a fellow Legionary Commander alongside of Titus, under Vespasian in the Jewish war. Hadrian had family connections through Trajan and followed Vespasian’s policies.

• The Historians:

Josephus, 37-100;

Jewish general then turncoat, assisted Vespasian and Titus in the Jewish war, and was retired to Vespasian’s household in Rome after the war to write propaganda/history for the Romans: the ‘Jewish War’,  ‘Jewish Antiquities’, ‘Contra Apion I & II’, and his ‘Life’. He dedicated his later works to the Imperial Secretary, Epaphroditus, who served the emperors from the time of Nero (54-68), (whose death he assisted), until his execution under Domitian in 96. Josephus’ death is not recorded.

Josephus, Life, 76.

“The treatment I received from the Emperors continued unaltered. On Vespasian’s decease Titus, who succeeded to the empire, showed the same esteem for me as did his father, and never credited the accusations to which I was constantly subjected. Domitian succeeded Titus and added to my honours. He punished my Jewish accusers.”

Tacitus, 55-120;

Roman historian under the Flavians, anti-Jewish, conservative, sceptical of miracles although he recorded Vespasian’s.

Tacitus, Histories, 1.

“My official career owed its beginning to Vespasian, its progress to Titus and its further advancement to Domitian.”

In the first book of his Histories he also wrote his disclaimer: “It was only after the rise of the Flavians that we Romans believed in such stories.”

Suetonius, 69-140;

Flavian historian, casual about Jews, mentions Josephus’ Flavian prophecy amongst others. Both he and Tacitus record the miracles of Vespasian’s healing the blind and lame in Alexandria. His style of writing allows him to transmit much information in a few words, usually at the end of a paragraph or sentence. The information that Titus was a ‘master’ forger comes from one of these loaded paragraph endings. From another ending we find that Titus established a long lasting civil service which was employed by the following ‘good’ emperors.

Pliny the Younger, 61-113;

Entered the civil service under the Flavians, of whom he was a family friend. His guardian uncle was Pliny the Elder, the natural historian, Vespasian’s close friend, who later died as Titus’ Admiral at the eruption of Vesuvius. Pliny the Younger served the Flavians until his death under Trajan, of whom he was also a close friend. Friend of both Tacitus and Suetonius, they are mentioned in his letters.

Gospels

Preface:

• Contra Apion 1.1

“I suppose that, by my books of the Antiquities of the Jews, most excellent Epaphroditus, I have made it evident to those who peruse them, that our Jewish nation is of very great antiquity, and had a distinct substance of its own originally.”

• Luke 1: 1-4

“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.”

Star over Jerusalem and the Star of Bethlehem:

• War 6, 5. 3

“Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city [Jerusalem], and a comet, that continued a whole year”

• Matthew 2: 1-4

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

The Census and the Birth of Jesus:

• Ant. 18. 1. 1 & 1. 6.

“Now Cyrenius, a Roman senator,.. came at this time into Syria… to take an account of their substance… Yet there was one Judas… who taking with him Sadduc a Pharisee, became zealous to draw them to a revolt… for Judas and Sadduc who excited a fourth philosophic sect among us and had a great many followers therein, filled our civil government with tumults at present, and laid the foundation of our future miseries, by this system of philosophy.

“But of the fourth sect of Jewish philosophy, Judas the Galilean was the author. These men agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions; but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty; and they say that God is to be their only Ruler and Lord.”

• Luke 2:1, 2

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.”

Young Josephus and Jesus with the Priests:

• Life 2.

“Moreover, when I was a child, about fourteen years of age, I was commended by all for the love I had for learning; on which account the high priests and principle men of the city came then frequently to me together, in order to know my opinion about the accurate understanding of points of the law.”

• Luke 2:41-47

“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival… When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

Bannus the Baptist:

• Life, 2.

“But when I was informed that one whose name was Bannus, lived in the desert, and used no other clothing than grew on trees, and had no other food than what grew of its own accord, and bathed himself in cold water frequently, both night and day, in order to preserve his chastity, I imitated him in those things, and continued with him three years.”

• Mark 1:4-6

“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.”

John the Baptist:

• Ant. 18.5.2.

“Now, some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist; for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so come for baptism; for that the washing (with water) would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the remission of some sins (only), but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now, when many others came to crowd about him, for they were greatly moved by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause,… Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death.”

• War, Slavonic Addition 9. ‘The Forerunner’:

“Now at that time there walked among the Jews a man in wondrous garb, for he had put animals’ hair upon his body wherever it was not covered by his own hair; and in countenance like a savage. He came to the Jews and summoned them to freedom, saying: “God hath sent me to show you the way of the Law, whereby ye may free yourselves from many masters; and there shall be no mortal ruling over you, but only the Highest who hath sent me.” And when the people heard that, they were glad. And he did nothing else to them, save that he dipped them into the stream of the Jordan and let them go admonishing them to desist from evil works; so they would be given a king who would set them free and subject all the insubordinate, but he himself would be subject to no one – he of whom we speak. Some mocked, but others put faith in him.

“And when he was brought to Archelaus [ruled 4 BCE to 6 CE] and the doctors of the Law had assembled, they asked him who he was and where he had been until then. And he answered and spake: “I am a man [pure] and hither the spirit of God hath called me, and I live on cane and roots and fruits of the tree.” But when they threatened to torture him if he did not desist from these words and deeds, he spake nevertheless: “It is meet rather for you to desist from your shameful works and submit to the Lord your God.”

And Simon, of Essene extraction, a scribe, arose in wrath and spake: “We read the divine books every day; but thou, but now come forth from the wood like a wild beast, dost thou dare to teach us and seduce the multitude with thy cursed speeches?” And he rushed upon him to rend his body. But he spake in reproach to them: “I will not disclose to you the secret that is among you, because ye desired it not. Therefore has unspeakable misfortune come upon you and through your own doing.” And after he had thus spoken, he went forth to the other side of the Jordan; and since no man durst hinder, he did what he had done before.”

• Mark 1:2-6

“As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. {6} Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.”

• Mark 6:17,18 & 27, 29

“For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”…”

“…Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.”

• Matthew 3:1-6

“In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”

• Luke 3:1-6

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Transfiguration:

• Tacitus, Histories 2.76,

“Between Judea and Syria lies a mountain called Carmel, which is the name of the local god. Yet traditionally this god boasts neither image nor temple, only an altar and the reverence of its worshippers. Here Vespasian had offered sacrifice when he was turning over in his mind his secret ambitions. The priest Basilides time and again examined the entrails of the victims. Finally he declared; ‘What ever you are planning, Vespasian – this is granted to you. You shall have a great mansion, far-flung boundaries and a host of people.’ This ambiguous statement was immediately pounced upon by gossip, and was now given great publicity. Indeed ordinary people talked of little else. Still more lively was the discussion in Vespasian’s immediate circle, for hope is eloquent.”

• Suetonius, Life of Vespasian, 5.

“In Judea, Vespasian consulted the God of Carmel and was given a promise that he would never be disappointed in what he planned or desired, however lofty his ambitions. Also, a distinguished Jewish prisoner of Vespasian’s, Josephus by name, insisted that he would soon be released by the very man who had now put him in fetters, and who would then be emperor.”

• Mark 9:2-10

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.”

• Matthew 17:1-9

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

• Luke 9:28-36

“Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.”

Ruler from the East:

• War, 6.5.4.

“But now, what did most elevate them [the Jews] in undertaking this war was an ambiguous oracle that was found in their sacred writings, how, “about that time, one from their country should become governor of the habitable earth.” The Jews took this prediction to belong to themselves in particular; and many of their wise men were thereby deceived in their determination. Now, this oracle certainly denoted the government of Vespasian, who was appointed emperor in Judea.”

“Some understand that this meant Herod, others the crucified wonder-worker Jesus, others again Vespasian.” [Slavonic addition, Loeb, vol. 2, p. 658.]

• Tacitus, Histories, 5. 13.

“The majority were convinced that the ancient scriptures of their priests alluded to the present as the very time when the Orient would triumph and from Judea would go forth men destined to rule the world. This mysterious prophecy really referred to Vespasian and Titus, but the common people, true to the selfish ambitions of mankind, thought that this exalted destiny was reserved for them,…

• Suetonius, Life of Vespasian, 4.

“An ancient superstition was current in the East, that out of Judea would come the rulers of the world. This prediction, as it later proved, referred to the two Roman Emperors, Vespasian and his son Titus; but the rebellious Jews, who read it as referring to themselves… “

Son of God:

• Philo Judaeus, The Confusion of Tongues, 145-148

“But they who live in the knowledge of the One are rightly called “Sons of God” as Moses also acknowledges when he says, “Ye are sons of the Lord God” (Deut. XIV 1)… But if there be any as yet unfit to be called a Son of God let him press to take his place under God’s First born, the Word, who holds the eldership among the angels, their ruler as it were. And many names are His, for he is called “the Beginning,” and the Name of God, and His Word, and the Man after His Image, and “he that sees,’ that is Israel.

“For if we have not yet become fit to be thought sons of God yet we may be sons of His invisible image, the most holy Word. For the Word is the eldest-born image of God.”

• Mark 1:1

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

• Matthew 14:33

“And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

• Matthew 26:63

“But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

• Luke 1:35

“The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.”

• Luke 22:70

“All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.”

• (John 1:34)

“And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

• (John 20:31)

“But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

The Word of God:

• Philo Judaeus, Who is the Heir, 205-207

“To His Word, His chief messenger, highest in age and honour, the Father of all has given the special prerogative, to stand on the border and separate the creature from the Creator. This same Word both pleads with the immortal as supplant for afflicted mortality and acts as ambassador of the ruler to the subject. He glories in this prerogative and proudly described it in these words ‘and I stood between the Lord and you.’ (Deut. V. 5), that is neither uncreated as God, nor created as you, but midway between the two extremes, a surety to both sides; to the parent pledging the creature that it should never altogether rebel against the rein and choose disorder rather than order; to the child, warranting his hopes that the merciful God will never forget His own work. For I am the harbinger of peace to creation from that God whose will is to bring wars to an end, who is ever the guardian of peace.”

• Mark 1:45

“But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.”

• Mark 2:2

“So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.”

• Luke 5:1

“Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God”

Sermon on the Mount:

• War, 2.13.4.

“These were such men  as deceived and deluded the people under pretence of divine inspiration, but were for procuring innovations and changes of the government; and these prevailed with the multitude to act like madmen, and went before them into the wilderness, as pretending that God would there show them the signal of liberty; but Felix thought this procedure to be the beginning of a revolt; so he sent some horsemen and foot men, both armed, and destroyed a great number of them.”

• Ant. 18.4.1.

“But the nation of the Samaritans did not escape without tumults. The man who excited them to it, was one who thought lying a thing of little consequence, and who contrived everything so, that the multitude might be pleased; so he bade them get together on Mount Gerizzim, which is by them looked upon ass the most holy of all mountains… But Pilate prevented their going up, by seizing upon the roads with a great band of horsemen and footmen, who fell upon those that were gotten together… And when it came to an action, some of them they slew, and others of them they put to flight, and took a great many of them alive, the principal of whom, and also the most potent of those who had fled away, Pilate ordered to be slain.”

• Luke 9:10-17

“On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish–unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” They did so and made them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. [See also Mat.5:1,2 & 14:13-21, Lk. 6:17-20]

Healing the Blind and Lame:

• Tacitus; Histories, 4. 81.

“Among the lower classes at Alexandria was a blind man whom everybody knew as such. One day this fellow threw himself at Vespasian’s feet, imploring him with groans to heal his blindness. He had been told to make this request by Serapis, the favourite god of a nation much addicted to strange beliefs. He asked that it might please the emperor to anoint his cheeks and eyeballs with the water of his mouth. A second petitioner, who suffered from a withered hand, pleaded his case too, also on the advice of Serapis: would Caesar tread upon him with the imperial foot?

“At first Vespasian laughed at them and refused. When the two insisted, he hesitated. At one moment he was alarmed by the thought that he would be accused of vanity if he failed. At the next, the urgent appeals of the two victims and the flatteries of his entourage made him sanguine of success. Finally he asked the doctors for an opinion whether blindness and atrophy of this sort were curable by human means. The doctors were eloquent on the various possibilities. The blind man’s vision was not completely destroyed, and if certain impediments were removed his sight would return. The other victim’s limb had been dislocated, but could be put right by correct treatment. Perhaps this was the will of the gods, they added; perhaps the emperor had been chosen to perform a miracle. Anyhow, if a cure were effected, the credit would go to the ruler; if it failed, the poor wretches would have to bear the ridicule.

“So Vespasian felt that his destiny gave him the key to every door and that nothing now defied belief. With a smiling expression and surrounded by an expectant crowd of bystanders, he did what was asked. Instantly the cripple recovered the use of his hand and the light of day dawned again upon his blind companion. Both these incidents are still vouched for by eye-witnesses, though there is now nothing to be gained by lying.”

• Suetonius; Life of Vespasian, 8.

“Vespasian, still rather bewildered in his new role as emperor, felt a certain lack of authority and of what might be called the divine spark; yet both these attributes were granted him. As he sat on the Tribunal, two labourers, one blind, the other lame, approached together, begging to be healed. Apparently the god Serapis had promised them that if Vespasian would consent to spit in the blind man’s eyes, and touch the lame man’s leg with his heel, both would be made well. Vespasian had so little faith in his curative powers that he showed great reluctance in doing as he was asked; but his friends persuaded him to try them, in the presence of a large audience, too – and the charm worked.”

• Matthew 11:2-6

“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

• Luke 7:18-23

“The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

The Swine:

• War 3. 9, 10

IX. 7. He (Vespasian) came with three Legions, and pitched his camp thirty furlongs off Tiberias,…

IX. 8. Now the seniors of the people, and such as were of principal authority among them fled to the camp of the Romans… and fell down before Vespasian… and besought not to overlook them, nor to impute the madness of a few to the whole city, to spare a people who had been ever civil and obliging to the Romans.

X. 5. Hereupon those that were upon the walls were seized with terror at the boldness of (Titus’) attempt, nor durst any one venture to fight with him or hinder him; so they left guarding the city, and some of these that were about Jesus fled over the country, while others of them ran down to the lake,..

X. 7. Now this lake of Gennesareth is so called from the country adjoining it…

X. 8-9. The people of the country call it Capharnaum. Some have thought it to be a vein of the Nile, because it produces the Coracin fish as well as that lake does which is near to Alexandria. The length of this country extends itself along the banks of this lake that bears the same name for thirty furlongs, and is in breadth twenty, And this is the nature of that place.

But now, when the vessels were gotten ready, Vespasian put upon ship-board as many of his forces as he thought sufficient to be too hard for those that were upon the lake, and set sail after them. Now these which were driven into the lake could neither fly to the land, where all was in their enemies’ hand, and in war against them; nor could they fight upon the level by sea, for their ships were small and fitted only for piracy; they were too weak to fight with Vespasian’s vessels, and the mariners that were in them were so few, that they were afraid to come near the Romans, who attacked them in great numbers.

However, as they sailed round about the vessels, and sometimes as they came near them, they threw stones at the Romans when they were a good way off, or came closer and fought them; yet did they receive the greatest harm themselves in both cases. As for the stones they threw at the Romans, they only made a sound one after another, for they threw them against such as were in their armor, while the Roman darts could reach the Jews themselves; and when they ventured to come near the Romans, they became sufferers themselves before they could do any harm to the ether, and were drowned, they and their ships together.”

As for those that endeavored to come to an actual fight, the Romans ran many of them through with their long poles. Sometimes the Romans leaped into their ships, with swords in their hands, and slew them; but when some of them met the vessels, the Romans caught them by the middle, and destroyed at once their ships and themselves who were taken in them. And for such as were drowning in the sea, if they lifted their heads up above the water, they were either killed by darts, or caught by the vessels; but if, in the desperate case they were in, they attempted to swim to their enemies, the Romans cut off either their heads or their hands; and indeed they were destroyed after various manners every where, till the rest being put to flight, were forced to get upon the land, while the vessels encompassed them about [on the sea]: but as many of these were repulsed when they were getting ashore, they were killed by the darts upon the lake; and the Romans leaped out of their vessels, and destroyed a great many more upon the land: one might then see the lake all bloody, and full of dead bodies, for not one of them escaped.

And a terrible stink, and a very sad sight there was on the following days over that country; for as for the shores, they were full of shipwrecks, and of dead bodies all swelled; and as the dead bodies were inflamed by the sun, and putrefied, they corrupted the air, insomuch that the misery was not only the object of commiseration to the Jews, but to those that hated them, and had been the authors of that misery. This was the upshot of the sea-fight. The number of the slain, including those that were killed in the city before, was six thousand and five hundred.

• Mark 5:1-13 & 16-17

“They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea… Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood.”

• Luke 8:26-39

“Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”– for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. “

Gospel of Barnabas

The Demons & the Swine.

21. 1. Jesus went up to Capernaum, and as he drew near to the city behold there came out of the tombs one that was possessed of a devil, and in such wise that no chain could hold him, and he did great harm to the man. The demons cried out through his mouth, saying: “O holy one of God, why are you come before the time to trouble us?” And they prayed him that he would not cast them forth.

2. Jesus asked them how many they were. They answered: “Six thousand six hundred and sixty-six.” When the disciples heard this they were affrighted, and prayed Jesus that he would depart. Then Jesus said: “Where is your faith? It is necessary that the demon should depart, and not I.” The demons therefore cried: “We will come out, but permit us to enter into those swine.” There were feeding there, near to the sea, about ten thousand swine belonging to the Canaanites.

3. Thereupon Jesus said: “Depart, and enter into the swine.” With a roar the demons entered into the swine, and cast them headlong into the sea. Then fled into the city they that fed the swine, and recounted all that had been brought to pass by Jesus. Accordingly the men of the city came forth and found Jesus and the man that was healed. The men were filled with fear and prayed Jesus that he would depart out of their borders.

Gadara & Gerasa:

• War 4. 7. 4-6

“Vespasian sent Placidus with 500 horse and 3000 foot to pursue those who had fled from Gadara,…

But Placidus, relying much upon his horsemen, and his former good success, followed them, and slew all that he overtook, as far as Jordan; and when he had driven the whole multitude to the river-side, where they were stopped by the current, (for it had been augmented lately by rains, and was not fordable,) he put his soldiers in array over against them; so the necessity the others were in provoked them to hazard a battle, because there was no place whither they could flee. They then extended themselves a very great way along the banks of the river, and sustained the darts that were thrown at them, as well as the attacks of the horsemen, who beat many of them, and pushed them into the current. At which fight, hand to hand, fifteen thousand of them were slain, while the number of those that were unwillingly forced to leap into Jordan was prodigious. There were besides two thousand and two hundred taken prisoners. A mighty prey was taken also, consisting of asses, and sheep, and camels, and oxen.

• Matthew 8:28-34

“When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes…”

• War 4. 9. 1.

“He also sent Lucius Annius to Gerasa, and delivered to him a body of horsemen, and a considerable number of footmen. So when he had taken the city, which he did at the first onset, he slew a thousand of those young men who had not prevented him by flying away; but he took their women and children captive, and permitted his soldiers to plunder them of their effects; after which he set fire to their houses, and went away to the adjoining villages, while the men of power fled away, and the weaker part were destroyed, and what was remaining was all burnt down.”

• Mark 5:1-20

“They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.”

• Luke 8:26

“Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.”

Woes to Galilee:

• War 4. 7. 6

“Now this destruction that fell upon the Jews, as it was not inferior to any of the rest in itself, so did it still appear greater than it really was; and this, because not only the whole country through which they fled was filled with slaughter, and Jordan could not be passed over, by reason of the dead bodies that were in it.”

• Matthew 11:20-24

“Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”

• Luke 10:12-15

“I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades.”

If the Hand Offends, Cut It Off:

• War 2.21.10:

“Now, since I thought it not agreeable to piety to put one of my own people to death, and yet I found it necessary to punish him… so I called to him and said to him, “Since thou deservest to lose both thine hands for thy ingratitude to me, be thou thine own executioner, lest if thou refuesest so to be, thou undergo a worse punishment.” And when he earnestly begged of me to spare him one of his hands, it was with difficulty I granted it. So in order to prevent the loss of both his hands, he willingly took his sword, and cut off his own left hand; and this put an end to the sedition.”

• Mark 9:43

“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”

• Matthew 5:30

“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.”

• Matthew 18:8

“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire.

The Strange Exorcist, For or Against:

• Suetonius: Julius Caesar 75.

“Whereas Pompey declared that all who were not actively with him were against him and would be treated as public enemies, Caesar announced that all who were not actively against him were with him.”

• Mark 9:38-40

“John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us.”

• Matthew 12:30

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

• Luke 9:49-50

“John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”

• Luke 11:23

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Parable of the Vineyard:

• Ant. 20.9.7

“And now it was that the temple was finished. So when the people saw that the workmen were unemployed, who were above eighteen thousand, and that they, receiving no wages were in want, because they had earned their bread by their labours about the temple; and while they were unwilling to keep them by their treasures that were deposited, out of fear of their being carried away by the Romans; and while they had to make a provision for the workmen, they had a mind to expend those treasures on them; for if any one of them did but work a single hour, he received his pay immediately;”

• Matthew 20:1-15

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Temple Riot:

• War, 5.1.3

“…for those darts that were thrown by the engines came with such force, that they went over all the buildings, and the temple itself, and fell upon the priests, and those that were about the sacred offices;… [They] fell down before their own sacrifices themselves, and sprinkled the altar,… with their own blood;..”

• Ant. 20.5.3

“Now, while the Jewish affairs were under the administration of Cumanus, there happened a great tumult at the city of Jerusalem, and many of the Jews perished therein;… When that feast which is called the Passover was at hand,… and a great multitude was gathered together from all parts to that feast, Cumanus was afraid lest some attempt of innovation should be made by them; so he ordered one regiment of the army should take their arms, and stand in the temple cloisters, to repress any attempts at innovation,… but when he could not induce them to be quiet, for they still went on in their reproaches to him, he gave the order that the whole army should take their entire armour, and come to Antonia, which was a fortress, as we have said already, which overlooked the temple; but when the multitude saw the soldiers there, they were affrighted at them, and ran away hastily; but as the passages out were but narrow, and as they thought their enemies were following them, they were crowded together in their flight, and a great number were pressed to death in those narrow passages; nor indeed was the number fewer than twenty thousand that perished in this tumult. So instead of a festival they had at last a mournful day of it; and they all of them forgot their prayers and sacrifices, and betook themselves to lamentation and weeping;”

• Luke 13:1-2

“At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?”

Cleansing of the Den of Robbers:

• Jeremiah 7:11:

“Do you take this temple that bears my name for a robber’s den?”

• War, 4.4.3,

“Accordingly, Jesus, the eldest of the high priests next to Ananus, stood upon the tower that was against them, and said thus;… “They are robbers, who by their prodigious wickedness have profaned this most sacred floor, and who are to be now seen drinking themselves drunk in the sanctuary.”

• Mark 11:17

“He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

• Matt. 21:10-17

“It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.”

• Luke 19:45-46

“Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.”

I Too Am Under Authority:

• War 2.10.4

“Petronius replied, “And am not I also bound to keep the laws of my own lord?… for I am under command as well as you.”

• Luke 7:6-9

And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Pilate’s Character:

• Philo Judaeus, Embassy to Gaius, 299-305

“One of his [Tiberias’] lieutenants was Pilate, who was appointed to govern Judea. He, not so much to honour Tiberias as to annoy the multitude,… When he, naturally inflexible, a blend of self-will and relentlessness, stubbornly refused… he feared that if they actually sent an embassy they would also expose the rest of his conduct as governor by stating in full the briberies, the insults, the robberies, the outrages and wanton injuries, the executions without trial constantly repeated, the ceaseless and supremely grievous cruelty. So with all his vindictiveness and furious temper, he was in a difficult position.”

• War 2.9.4.

“At this the multitude had great indignation; and when Pilate was come to Jerusalem, they came about his tribunal, and made a clamour at it. Now when he was apprised beforehand of this disturbance; he mixed his own soldiers in their armour with the multitude, and ordered them to conceal themselves under the habits of private men, and not indeed to use their swords, but with staves to beat those who made the clamour. He then gave them the signal from his tribunal (to do as he had bidden them). Now the Jews were sadly beaten, that many of them perished by the stripes they received, and many of them perished as trodden to death, by which means the multitude was astonished at the calamity of those who were slain, and held their peace.”

• Ant., 18.3.1

“But Pilate undertook to bring a current of water to Jerusalem, and did it with the sacred money,… However the Jews were not pleased with what had been done about this water; and many ten thousands of the people got together and made a clamour against him, and insisted that he should leave off that design. Some of them also used reproaches, and abused the man, as crowds of such people usually do. So he habited a great number of his soldiers in their (civilian clothes), who carried clubs hidden under their garments, and he sent them to a place where they might surround them. So he bade the Jews himself to go away; but they boldly casting reproaches upon him, he gave the soldiers that signal which had been before agreed on; who laid upon them much greater blows than Pilate had commanded them, and equally punished those that were tumultuous, and those who were not, nor did they spare them in the least; and since the people were unarmed, and were caught by men prepared for what they were about, and there were a great number slain by this means, and others who ran away wounded; and thus an end was put to this sedition.”

• Luke 23:1-25

“Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”

“When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate.

“That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”

“Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.”

But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.”

• Matthew 27:11-26

“Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

The Ear Cut Off:

• Tacitus, Histories, 3. 84.

“He (Vitellius) was hauled out by a tribune named Julius Placidus. His hands were tied behind his back. Presenting a revolting spectacle with his clothes in ribbons, he was led away amid curses from many and tears from none. The squalor of his end had robbed it of pity. On the way, one of the men from the army of Germany met him. It was not clear at the time whether he was aiming was aiming a blow at Vitellius – either in fury or else in order to spare him further humiliation – or attacking the tribune. In any rate he cut off the tribune’s ear, and was immediately run through.”

• Mark 14:47

“But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.”

• Matthew 26:51

“Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.”

• Luke 22:50

“Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.”

• John 18:1

“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.

Barabbas

• Ant. 20.9.3.

“But now the Sicarii went into the city by night, just before the festival, which was now at hand, and took the scribe belonging to the governor of the temple, whose name was Eleazar, who was the son of Ananias the high priest, and bound him, and carried him away with them; after which they sent to Ananias, and said that they would send the scribe to him, if he would persuade Albinus [the Roman Governor] to release ten of those prisoners which he had caught of their party; so Ananias was plainly forced to persuade Albinus, and gained his request of him.”

• Mark 15:6-11 & 15

“Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead…. So Pilate, wishing to sastify the crowd released for them Barabbas.”

• Matthew 27:15-23 & 26

“Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas… Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”… And he released for them Barabbas.”

• Luke 23:18, 19 & 25

“Release Barabbas for us!” This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder…. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder,”

Crucifixion of Three Men and the Survival of One:

• Josephus, Life, 75,

… as I [Joseph Bar Mathias] came back, I saw many captives crucified; and remembered three of them as my former acquaintance. I was very sorry at this in my mind, and went with tears in my eyes to Titus, and told him of them; so he immediately commanded them to be taken down, and to have the greatest care taken of them, in order to their recovery; yet two of them died under the physician’s hands, while the third recovered.

• Luke 23:39-43

“One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Josephus of Arimathea:

• Josephus, Life, 75,

“… as I [Joseph Bar Mathias] came back, I saw many captives crucified; and remembered three of them as my former acquaintance. I was very sorry at this in my mind, and went with tears in my eyes to Titus, and told him of them; so he immediately commanded them to be taken down.”

• Mark 15:42-45

“When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus… he granted the body to Joseph.”

• Matthew 27:57-58

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

• Luke 23:50-52

“Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”

The Resurrection:

• War 3. 8. 1.

“But, finding every spot guarded on his account and no means of eluding detection, he descended again into the cave. So, for two days he continued in hiding. On the third, his secret was betrayed by a woman who had been with them.”

• War 3. 9. 6.

“But when time revealed the truth and all that had really happened at Jotapata, when the death of Josephus was found to be a fiction, it became known that he was alive and in Roman hands… the demonstrations of wrath at his still being alive were as loud as the former expressions of affection when he was believed to be dead.”

• Philo Judaeus, The Confusion of Tongues, 62-63

“I have heard also an oracle from the lips of one of the disciples of Moses, which runs thus: “Behold a man whose name is the Rising,” (Zech. VI 12), strangest of titles, surely if you suppose that a being composed of soul and body is here described. But if you suppose that it is that Incorporeal one, who differs not a whit from the divine image, you will agree that the name of “rising” assigned to him quite truly describes him. For that man is the eldest son, whom the Father of all raised him up, and elsewhere calls him His first-born, and indeed the Son thus begotten followed in the ways of his Father.”

Portents of the Destruction of the Temple:

• War 7.1.1

“Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and temple… There was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited. This was the end which Jerusalem came to by the madness of those that were for innovations; a city of otherwise magnificence, and mighty fame among all mankind.”

• Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3. 7.

“These thing happened in this way in the second year of the reign of Vespasian in accord with the prophetic utterances of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who foreseeing them by divine power as though already present…

“And when ye see Jerusalem surrounded by armies then know that her desolation is at hand.” [Luke 21:20]

If anyone compare the words of our Saviour with the other narratives of the historian [Josephus] concerning the whole war, how can one avoid surprise and a confession of the truly divine and supernaturally wonderful character both of the foreknowledge and of the foretelling of our Saviour?”

• Mark 13:1-2

“As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

• Matthew 23:37-38

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate.”

• Matthew 24:1-4

“As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, ”You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

• Luke 21:5-6.

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ”As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

• Luke 19:41-44

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

• Luke 13:34-35

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

The Destruction of Judea:

• War 5. 12. 2

…When Titus had therefore encompassed the city with this wall, and put garrisons into proper places…

• War 6. 3. 4

“Mary then attemped a most unnatural thing; and snatching up her son, who was a child suckling at her breast, she said, ‘O thou miserable infant! For whom shall I preserve thee in this war, this famine, and this sedition? As to the war with the Romans, if they preserve our lives, we must be slaves…’ As soon as she had said this, she slew her son…”

• Mark 13:14-20

“But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter. For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days.”

• Also Matthew 24:15-22

• Luke 21:20-24

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. {21} Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; {22} for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written. {23} Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; {24} they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Jesus’ Woe to Jerusalem:

• War, 6.5.3

“But, what is still more terrible, there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian, and a husbandman, who, four years before the war began and at a time when the city was in very great peace and prosperity, came to that feast wherein it is our custom to make tabernacles to God in the temple, began on a sudden to cry aloud, “A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the holy house, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, and a voice against the whole people!” This was his cry as he went about by day and night in all the lanes of the city. However, certain of the most eminent among the populace had great indignation at this dire cry of his, and took up the man, and gave a great number of severe stripes; yet did not he either say anything for himself, or anything peculiar to those that chastised him, but still went on with the same words he cried before. Hereupon our rulers supposing, as the case proved to be, that this was a sort of divine fury in the man, brought him to the Roman procurator, where he was whipped till his bones were laid bare; yet did he not make any supplication for himself, nor shed any tears, but turning his voice to the most lamentable tone possible, at every stroke of the whip his answer was, “Woe to Jerusalem!” And when Albinus asked him, Who he was? and whence he came? and why he uttered such words? he made no manner of reply to what he said, but still did not leave off his melancholy ditty, til Albinus took him to be a madman and dismissed him… but he every day uttered these lamentable words, as if that were his premeditated vow, “Woe, woe to Jerusalem!”… This cry of his was the loudest at the festivals; and he continued this ditty for seven years and five months, without growing hoarse, or being tired therewith, until the very time he saw his presage in earnest fulfilled in our siege, when it ceased; for as he was going round upon the wall, he cried out with the utmost force, “Woe, woe to the city again, and to the people, and to the holy house!” And just as he added the last, “Woe, woe to myself also!” There came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him and killed him immediately; and as he was uttering the very same passages, he gave up the ghost.”

Acts

Preface:

• Contra Apion 2.1

“In my former book, most honoured Epaphroditus, I have demonstrated our antiquity, and confirmed the truth of what I have said…”

• Acts 1.1

“In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning.”

Shekhinah & Spirit of Pentecost:

• War, 5.9.4

“Wherefore I cannot but suppose that God has fled out of his sanctuary and stands on the side of those against whom you fight.”

• Tacitus, Histories, 5. 13

“The doors of the Temple were opened on a sudden, and a voice greater than human was heard, that the gods were retiring, and at the same time there was a great motion perceived, as if they were going out of it, which some esteemed to be caused of horror.”

• War, 6, 5, 3

“Moreover, at that feast we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner court of the Temple, as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard the sound of a great multitude, saying, “Let us remove hence.”

• Acts 2:1-4

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”

Herod’s Death:

• Ant. 14, 8, 2.

“At which festival [to honour Caesar], a great multitude was gotten together of the principal persons, and such as were of dignity through his province…On the second day of which shows he [Agrippa] put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a contexture truly wonderful, and came to the theatre early in the morning, at which time the silver of his garment being illuminated by the fresh reflections of the sun’s rays… and presently his flatterers cried out,… that he was a god:… Upon this the king did not rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery… A severe pain arose in his belly… therefore he looked to his friends and said, “I, whom you called a god, am commanded presently to depart this life… And when he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days he departed this life…”

• Acts 12:21-23

“On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

Stoning of James/Stephen:

• Ant. 20, 9, 1.

“Caesar sent Albinus to Judea as procurator, when he was informed of the death of Festus. But the younger Ananus, who as I said had received the high priesthood, was headstrong in character and audacious in the extreme.. Being a man of this kind, Ananus thought that he had a convenient opportunity, as Festus was dead and Albinus still on the way. So he assembled a council of judges and brought before it James, the brother of Jesus, known as Christ, and several others, on a charge of breaking the law, and handed them over to be stoned…”

• Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book 2, ch. 23.

“He (James the Righteous) alone was permitted to enter the Holy Place, for his garments were not of wool but of Linen. He used to enter the Sanctuary alone, and was often found on his knees beseeching forgiveness for the people. Because of his unsurpassable righteousness he was called the Righteous.

“So the Scribes and Pharisees made James stand on the Sanctuary parapet and shouted to him: “Righteous one, whose word we are all obliged to accept, the people are going astray after Jesus who was crucified..” He replied as loudly as he could: “Why do you question me about the Son of Man?. I tell you, He is sitting in heaven at the right hand of the Great Power,…”

“So they went up and threw down the Righteous one. Then they said to each other “Let us stone James the Righteous,” and began to stone him….

“Immediately after this Vespasian began to besiege them.”

• Acts 5-7

5;17,18 Then the High Priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol.

5;40,41 …and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them to be flogged,… And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin.

6;5 The whole of the assembly… elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,…

6;12 They took Stephen by surprise, and arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

7;56-58 “I can see heaven thrown open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this all the members of the council shouted out… then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him.”

Theudas and Judas:

• Ant. 20. 5. 1-2.

1. …Now it came to pass, that while Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a certain magician, whose name was Theudas, persuaded a great part of the people… They also took Theudas alive, and cut off his head, and carried it to Jerusalem…

2. …the sons of Judas of Galilee were now slain; I mean of that Judas who caused the people to revolt, when Cyrenius [Quirinius] came to take an account of the estates of the Jews…

• Acts 5:36-37

“For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.”

The Egyptian Bandit:

• War 2.8.5.

“But there was an Egyptian false prophet that did the Jews more mischief than the former [prophet]; for he was a cheat, and pretended to be a prophet also, and got together thirty thousand men that were deluded by him; these he led round about from the wilderness to the mount which is called the Mount of Olives, and was ready to break into Jerusalem by force from that place;… but Felix prevented this attempt, and met him with his Roman soldiers,… insomuch that when it came to a battle, the Egyptian ran away with a few others, while the greatest part of those who were with him were either destroyed or taken alive.”

• Ant. 20.8.6.

“Moreover, there came out of Egypt about this time to Jerusalem, one that said he was a prophet, and advised the multitude of the common people to go along with him to the mount of Olives, as it was called… He said further, that he would show them from hence, how at his command the walls of Jerusalem would fall down… Now when Felix [governor 52-60] was informed of these things, he ordered his soldiers to take their weapons, and came against them with a great number of horsemen and footmen, from Jerusalem, and attacked the Egyptian and the people that were with him. He also slew four hundred of them, and took two hundred alive. But the Egyptian himself escaped out of the fight, but did not appear any more.”

• Acts 21:38

“Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”

Paul’s Assassins:

• War 2.13.3.

“There sprang up another sort of robbers in Jerusalem, which were called Sicarii, who slew men in the day time, and in the midst of the city; this they did chiefly at the festivals, when they mingled themselves among the multitude, and concealed daggers under their garments, with which they stabbed those that were their enemies; and when any fell down dead, the murderers became a part of those that had indignation against them; by which means they appeared persons of such reputation, that they could by no means be discovered.”

• Acts 23:12-15

“In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who joined in this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food until we have killed Paul. Now then, you and the council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you, on the pretext that you want to make a more thorough examination of his case. And we are ready to do away with him before he arrives.”

Felix, Paul, and the Sicarii:

• Tacitus, Annals 12. 53-4

“Pallas’ brother, the knight Antonius Felix, who was governor of Judea, showed less moderation. Backed by vast influence, he believed himself free to commit any crime… Moreover, Felix stimulated outbreaks by injudicious disciplinary measures.”

• Tacitus, Histories, 5. 9

“One of these governors, Antonius Felix, played the tyrant with the spirit of a slave, plunging into all manner of cruelty and lust, and marrying Drusilla (Herod Agrippa II’s sister).”

• Ant. 20. 8. 5.

“Felix also bore an ill-will to Jonathan, the high priest, because he frequently gave him admonitions about governing Jewish affairs better than he did,… So Felix contrived a method whereby he might get rid of him,… Wherefore Felix persuaded one of Jonathan’s most faithful friends, a citizen of Jerusalem whose name was Dorcas, to bring robbers [Sicarii] upon Jonathan in order to kill him; and this he did by promising to give him a great deal of money for so doing. Dorcas complied with the proposal, and contrived matters so, that the robbers might murder him in the following manner: – Certain of those robbers went up to the city, as if they were going to worship God, while they had daggers under their garments; and by thus mingling themselves among the multitude, they slew Jonathan; and as this murder was never avenged, the robbers went up with the greatest security at the festivals after this time… they slew certain of their own enemies, and were subservient to other men for money; and slew others not only in the remote parts of the city, but in the temple itself also… And this seems to me to have been the reason why God, out of his hatred to these men’s wickedness, rejected our city,… but brought the Romans upon us.”

• War 2. 13. 3.

“The first man who was slain by them [Sicarii] was Jonathan the high priest, after whose death many were slain every day, while the fear men were in of being so served was more afflicting than the calamity itself; and while every body expected death every hour, as men do in war, so men were obliged to look before them, and to take notice of their enemies at a great distance; nor, if their friends were coming to them, durst they trust them any longer; but, in the midst of their suspicions and guarding of themselves, they were slain. Such was the celerity of the plotters against them, and so cunning was their contrivance.”

• Acts 24:22-27

“But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.

“Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.

“After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.”

Saul/Paul as Roman Agent:

• Ant. 20, 9, 4.

“Costobarus, also, and Saul, did themselves get together a multitude of wicked wretches, and this because they were of royal the family; and so they obtained favour among them, because of their kindred to Agrippa: but still they used violence with the people, and were very ready to plunder those who were weaker than themselves.”

• War 2, 20, 1.

“After this calamity had befallen Cestius, many of the most eminent of the Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it was going to sink; Costobarus, therefore, and Saul, who were brethren, together with Phillip, who was the commander of King Agrippa’s forces, ran away from the city, and went to Cestius [at Caesarea]… However, Cestius sent Saul and his friends, at their own desire, to Achaia, to Nero, to inform him of the great distress they were in;…”

• Acts 25;25

“For my own part I am satisfied that he has committed no capital crime, but when he himself appealed to the august emperor I decided to send him.”

• Acts 23:16-24

“Now the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush; so he went and gained entrance to the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to report to him.” So he took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.” The tribune took him by the hand, drew him aside privately, and asked, “What is it that you have to report to me?” He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more thoroughly into his case. But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they kill him. They are ready now and are waiting for your consent.” So the tribune dismissed the young man, ordering him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.”

“Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o’clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.”

Josephus’ Shipwreck:

• Life, 3.

“I reached Rome after being in great jeopardy at sea. For our ship foundered in the midst of the sea of Adria our company of some six hundred souls had to swim all that night. About daybreak, through God’s good providence, we sighted a ship of Cyrene, and I and certain others, about eighty in all, outstripped the others and were taken on board. Landing safely at Puteoli, I formed a friendship…”

• Acts 27:27-29

“When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. So they took soundings and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms. Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.”

In the Imperial household:

• Life 76

“When we were come to Rome, I had great care taken of me by Vespasian; for he gave me an apartment in his (Imperial) household, which he lived in before he came to empire. He also honoured me with the privilege of a Roman citizen, and gave me an annual pension.”

• Acts 28:16

“When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself.”

• Philippians. 4:22

“All the Saints send their greetings, especially those of the Imperial household.”

«Page 1Page 23. View All»

Page : 1 2ALL

Related posts:

1. Josephus as a primary source for the New Testament
2. Josephus as a source: difficult and dangerous
3. Private: The Royal Library of Alexandria in the first century
4. Private: The Gospels According to Hadrian (part one)
5. Pliny correspondence with Trajan: Christians or Chrestians?
6. Augustus: the Roman Messiah
7. Private: An army of divine men and the secret army of Mithras
8. Archaeology of a first-century wizard
9. Private: Acts of the Chresmologoi: the Role of Oracles and Chronicles in the Creation of Divine Men
10. Aulus Pudens in the Chichester inscription