Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

John the Baptist, Jesus, and Other New Testament Figures in Josephus’ Writings

  • Rivka Nir

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter discusses three paragraphs in Josephus’ Antiquities that deal with three central figures in Christianity: Jesus Christ; John the Baptist; and James, Jesus’ brother. Their authenticity is the focus of discussion. Namely, are they testimonies from the hands of Josephus or later interpolations from the hands of Christians? This chapter explores the pros and cons in research for each testimony without taking a decisive stand. Of the three testimonies, the so-called Testimonium Flavianum relative to Jesus is most suspect of interpolation, though the remaining two may also have been subject to later Christian intervention.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Josephus
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages97-108
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9780197539101
ISBN (Print)9780197539071
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Feb 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Oxford University Press 2026.

Keywords

  • Antiquities
  • James the brother of Jesus
  • Jesus
  • John the Baptist
  • Testimonium Flavianum
  • authenticity

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'John the Baptist, Jesus, and Other New Testament Figures in Josephus’ Writings'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this