Josephus, Paul & the Egyptian false Messiah

[Stormcrow]

There are many incidents recounted in Josephus' "Wars of the Jews" that speak to the fulfillment of Christ's prophecies, yet my favorite example of this can be found in his account of the Egyptian false Messiah, and its surprising connection to Paul in the book of Acts.

But there was an Egyptian false prophet that did the Jews more mischief than the former; 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 was called the Mount of Olives, and was ready to break into Jerusalem by force from that place; and if he could but once conquer the Roman garrison and the people, he intended to domineer over them by the assistance of those guards of his that were to break into the city with him.

But Felix prevented his attempt, and met him with his Roman soldiers, while all the people assisted him in his attack upon them, insomuch that when it came to a battle, the Egyptian ran away, with a few others, while the greatest part of those that were with him were either destroyed or taken alive; but the rest of the multitude were dispersed every one to their own homes, and there concealed themselves.

The Works of Flavius Josephus.

The Egyptian rebel was never found, which explains this passage from the book of Acts:

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?  Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" Acts 21:37-38 (ESV)

The Romans were still looking for the Egyptian "false prophet" and thought Paul was the man for whom they were looking!

Now, some accuse Josephus of exaggeration, yet read these two texts carefully: the Roman tribune asks Paul if he's the Egyptian that led 4,000 assassins (Sicarii) into the wilderness, yet Josephus writes that the Egyptian leads 30,000 men against the Romans out of the wilderness.

So while the Egyptian was in the wilderness, he recruited a number followers to join him in his crusade against the Roman garrison in Jerusalem.  Most of his followers were captured or killed in the ensuing fight, while the Egyptian and a few others fled.  And this just highlights the fulfillment of yet another of Christ's prophecies:

Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it.  For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  See, I have told you beforehand.  So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. Matthew 24:23-26 (ESV)

[raggthyme13]

How completely intriguing! I had no knowledge of this man... and how it is tied with what Paul said in Acts.

I hope you'll post more about history and how it fits so well with the prophetic word. I really enjoy it!

As I said before, it is faith-building!

[Stormcrow]

Thanks, Raggthyme!  I enjoy it, too!