[/caption]The New Complete Works of Josephus
[rating=3]Translated by William Whiston (1662-1752)
Commentary by Paul L. Maier
William Whiston "was an English mathematician and historian who succeeded Isaac Newton as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.[1]" While this is the most well known translation of Antiquities of the Jews, it is not the most preferred version in academic circles. This said, it is still a good rendering of the text into English. It has been in constant print since 1737 and is the version most have encountered.
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[/caption]Paul L. Maier "is the Russell H. Soibert Professor of Ancient History at Western michigan University.[1]" He is noted for his Josephus: the Essential Works, which appears to the source for much of the commentary. His illumination of the translated text provides interesting insights and clarifications that make reading this volume less cumbersome and more enjoyable.
Presented in the volume is the complete works of Titus Flavius Josephus, a Romano-Jewish historian. These are, The Jewish War (c. 75 CE) and Antiquities of the Jews (c. 94 CE). The Jewish War recounts the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation (66–70). Antiquities of the Jews recounts the history of the world from a Jewish perspective for an ostensibly Roman audience. These works provide valuable insight into 1st century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity.[2]
While there is some speculation that there have been a few alterations over the centruries, this is still a vital text for anyone interested in a non-Biblical view of Jewish history and an insight into the age of the dawn of Christianity.
One area is the mention of Jesus in Book 18, Chapter 3.
(63)Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. (64) And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. (Jewish Antiquities, 18.3.3 §63 & 64.)[3]
There is some speculation that this was added by a well meaning monastic copyist at some point in history. Though as recently as 1995 there seems to be evidence that this is indeed the original text. The argument may never be settled, but as far as history is concerned, this is the only non-Biblical source to say that Jesus did exist.
For the history buff, the entire volume is a good read. For the average person, it could be a good sleeping aid.
Refrences
- From the back of the book, The New Complete Works of Josephus. Revised and expanded edition. Copyright 1999 by Kregel Publications
- Josephus. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- See Josephus' Account of Jesus in the Testimonium Flavianum by G J Goldberg on the website, Radical Faith.
Related articles
- Josephus On Homosexual Practice (withalliamgod.wordpress.com)
- The Works of Flavius Josephus (sharinhislove.wordpress.com)
- THE GOSPEL: The Good News According to Josephus (prweb.com)
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