Latin III:
Evangelium Secundum Marcum
Instructor: James
Ransom
September 11, 2013
Flavius Josephus.
Born in 37 AD to a
priestly family, and raised in Jerusalem, Josephus first visited Rome in his
early 20's as a political intermediary for the Jews; and when the Jewish revolt
began he initially fought against the Romans. But, when captured by Vespasian,
Josephus declared that Vespasian was destined to fulfil an ancient Jewish
prophecy by becoming Emperor of Rome. When this actually happened, Vespasian
gave Josephus his freedom and later adopted him, adding to him the family name
of Flavius.
Rejected as a traitor by
his own people, he sought unsuccesfully to persuade the defenders of Jerusalem
to surrender; and personally witnessed its fall. These experiences, together
with his access to both Jewish and Roman sources were the basis for his two
great works. 'The Jewish War', published about 78 AD, was a history of the
revolt, and the 'Jewish Antiquities', a 20 volume history of the Jewish people,
was published about 93 AD. Two other works by him also survive: 'Against
Apion', a defence of Judaism against a Roman critic, and 'The Life', his
autobiography, published in the early second century. It is not known exactly
when he died.
Josephus' work contains
a number of references that provide corroboration for the historicity of the
gospel records.
In Antiquities, 18.5.2,
Josephus discusses the ministry of John the Baptist.
"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 to come to baptism; for that
the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it,
not in order to the putting away [or 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 in crowds
about him, for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] 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 any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to
prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties,
by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late.
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. Now the
Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment
upon Herod, and a mark of God's displeasure to him."
Prophecy of Malachi
4:5-6
5 Behold, I will send you Elias the prophet, before the coming
of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children to their fathers: lest I come, and strike the
earth with anathema.
New Testament References
to the Connection between John and Elias
Matthew 17:10-13
10 And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes
say that Elias must come first?11 But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and
restore all things. 12 But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew
him not, But have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of
man shall suffer from them. 13 Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of
John the Baptist.
John 1:19-21
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the
Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou? 20 And he confessed and did
not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him: What
then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he
answered: No.
Beheading of John the
Baptist
Mark 6:14-29
14 And king Herod heard, (for his name was made manifest,) and he
said: John the Baptist is risen again from dead, and therefore mighty works
shew forth themselves in him. 15 And
others said: It is Elias. But others said: It is a prophet, as one of the
prophets. 16 Which
Herod hearing, said: John whom I beheaded, he is risen again from the dead. 17 For Herod himself had sent and apprehended John, and bound him
prison for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, because he had
married her. 18 For John
said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. 19 Now Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to
death and could not. 20 For
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man: and kept him, and
when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him willingly. 21 And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his
birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee. 22 And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had
danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the king said
to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23 And he swore to her: Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee,
though it be the half of my kingdom. 24 Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask?
But her mother said: The head of John the Baptist. 25 And when she was come in immediately with haste to the king, she
asked, saying: I will that forthwith thou give me in a dish, the head of John the
Baptist. 26 And the
king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of them that were
with him at table, he would not displease her: 27 But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be
brought in a dish. 28 And he
beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave to the
damsel, and the damsel gave it her mother. 29 Which his disciples hearing came, and took his body, and laid it
in a tomb.
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