Flavius Josephus, a 1st-century Jewish historian, made two key references to Jesus in his work Antiquities of the Jews:

1. Testimonium Flavianum (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 3, Section 3)

This is the most well-known passage where Josephus references Jesus. However, many scholars believe parts of it were later modified by Christian scribes. Here is the standard version:
“About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Christ. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.” (Antiquities 18.3.3 [63-64])

🔎 Key Takeaways:

• Affirms Jesus’ existence.
• Acknowledges Jesus as a teacher and miracle worker.
• Confirms Pilate’s role in Jesus’ crucifixion.
• States that Jesus’ followers persisted after His death.

🔎 Scholarly Consideration:
Many historians believe Christian scribes inserted phrases like “He was the Christ” and “He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life”. A likely reconstructed version removes these elements but still affirms Jesus’ execution under Pilate.

2. Reference to Jesus in Connection with James (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20, Chapter 9, Section 1)

This passage is widely accepted as authentic:
“So he (Ananus, the high priest) assembled the Sanhedrin of judges and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others. And when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned.”
(Antiquities 20.9.1 [200])
🔎 Key Takeaways:

• References James, the brother of Jesus.
• Calls Jesus “who was called Christ”, indicating He was a well-known figure.
• Describes James’ execution under the high priest Ananus around 62 AD.