Flavius Josephus - First Century Jewish Historian

Flavius Josephus is a historian who was born at Jerusalem in 37 AD and died at Rome in about 100 AD. A Jew and Pharisee, he is remembered for writing “The Jewish War” and “Antiquities of the Jews”, a passage from which is reproduced below. It is very well-known because it is the only official account in contemporary Jewish history about Jesus:

“At this time there lived Jesus, a wise man; for he performed amazing deeds and was a teacher of people who gladly accept the truth. He won over many Jews and many who were Greek by birth. When, upon the accusation of our leaders, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who loved him from the beginning did not cease to do so. And even to this day, the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still not disappeared”.

Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 19. 343-350