Book 18, chapter 3
Sedition of the Jews against Pontius Pilate. Concerning Christ. And what befel Paulina, and the Jews at Rome.
18.3.1 (§§55–59)
But now Pilate, the procurator of Judea, removed the army from Cesarea to Jerusalem: to take their winter quarters there; in order to abolish the Jewish laws. So he introduced Cesar’s effigies, which were upon the ensigns, and brought them into the city: whereas our law forbids us the very making of images. On which account the former procurators were wont to make their entry into the city with such ensigns as had not those ornaments. Pilate was the first who brought1 those images to Jerusalem, and set them up there. Which was done without the knowledge of the people; because it was done in the night time. But as soon as they knew it, they came in multitudes to Cesarea, and interceded with Pilate many days, that he would remove the images. And when he would not grant their requests, because this would tend to the injury of Cesar; while yet they persevered in their request; on the sixth day he ordered his soldiers to have their weapons privately; while he came and sat upon his judgment seat. Which seat was so prepared, in the open place of the city, that it concealed the army that lay ready to oppress them. And when the Jews petitioned him again, he gave a signal to the soldiers to encompass them round; and threatened that their punishment should be no less than immediate death, unless they would leave off disturbing him, and go their ways home. But they threw themselves upon the ground, and laid their necks bare, and said they would take their death very willingly, rather than the wisdom of their laws should be transgressed. Upon which Pilate was deeply affected with their firm resolution to keep their laws inviolable: and presently commanded the images to be carried back from Jerusalem to Cesarea.
18.3.2 (§§60–62)
But Pilate undertook to bring a current of water to Jerusalem; and did it with the sacred money: and derived the origin of the stream from the distance of two hundred furlongs. However, the Jews were not pleased with what had been done about this water: and many ten thousands of the people got together, and made a clamour against him; and insisted that he should leave off that design. Some of them also used reproaches, and abused the man; as crowds of such people usually do. So he habited a great number of his soldiers in their habit; who carried daggers under their garments; and sent them to a place where they might surround them. So he bid the Jews himself go away. But they boldly casting reproaches upon him, he gave the soldiers that signal which had been beforehand agreed on. Who laid upon them much greater blows than Pilate had commanded them; and equally punished those that were tumultuous, and those that were not. Nor did they spare them in the least. And since the people were unarmed, and were caught by men prepared for what they were about, they were a great number of them slain by this means: and others of them ran away wounded. And thus an end was put to this sedition.
18.3.3 (§§63–64)
Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man2; if it be lawful to call him a man3. 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] Christ4. 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 Christians5, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.
Book 18, chapter 4
How the Samaritans made a tumult, and Pilate destroyed many of them. How Pilate was accused; and what things were done by Vitellius relating to the Jews, and the Parthians.
18.4.1 (§§85–87)
But the nation of the Samaritans did not escape without tumults. The man who excited them to it was one who thought lying a thing of little consequence: and who contrived every thing so, that the multitude might be please. So he bid them to get together upon mount Gerizzim: which is by them looked upon as the most holy of all mountains: and assured them, that when they were come thither, he would shew them those sacred vessels which were laid under that place; because Moses put them there. So they came thither armed; and thought the discourse of the man probable. And as they abode at a certain village, which was called Tirathaba, they got the rest together to them, and desired to go up the mountain in a great multitude together. But Pilate prevented their going up, by seizing upon the roads, with a great band of horsemen, and footmen: who fell upon those that were gotten together in the village: and when it came to an action, some of them they slew; and others of them they put to flight; and took a great many alive. The principal of which, and also the most potent of those that fled away, Pilate ordered to be slain.
18.4.2 (§§88–89)
But when this tumult was appeased, the Samaritan senate sent an ambassy to Vitellius; a man that had been consul, and who was now president of Syria; and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were killed. For that they did not go to Tirathaba in order to revolt from the Romans; but to escape the violence of Pilate. So Vitellius sent Marcellus, a friend of his, to take care of the affairs of Judea; and ordered Pilate to go to Rome, to answer before the Emperor to the accusations of the Jews. So Pilate, when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome: and this in obedience to the orders of Vitellius; which he durst not contradict. But before he could get to Rome, Tiberius was dead6.
18.4.3 (§§90–95)
But Vitellius came into Judea, and went up to Jerusalem. It was at the time of that festival, which is called the passover. Vitellius was there magnificently received, and released the inhabitants of Jerusalem from all the taxes upon the fruits that were bought and sold: and gave them leave to have the care of the High Priest’s vestments, with all their ornaments; and to have them under the custody of the priests in the temple. Which power they used to have formerly: although at this time they were laid up in the tower of Antonia, the citadel so called: and that on the occasion following. There was one of the [High] Priests, named Hyrcanus; and as there were many of that name, he was the first of them. This man built a tower near the temple: and when he had so done, he generally dwelt in it; and had these vestments with him: because it was lawful for him alone to put them on: and he had them there reposited when he went down into the city; and took his ordinary garments. The same things were continued to be done by his sons, and by their sons after them. But when Herod came to be King, he rebuilt this tower, which was very conveniently situated, in a magnificent manner: and because he was a friend to Antonius, he called it by the name of Antonia. And as he found these vestments lying there, he retained them in the same place: as believing that while he had them in his custody, the people would make no innovations against him. The like to what Herod did, was done by his son Archelaus, who was made King after him. After whom the Romans, when they entred on the government, took possession of these vestments of the High Priest; and had them reposited in a stone chamber, under the seal of the priests, and of the keepers of the temple: the captain of the guard lighting a lamp there every day. And seven days before a festival they were delivered to them by the captain of the guard. When the High Priest, having purified them, and made use of them, laid them up again in the same chamber where they had been laid up before, and this the very next day after the feast was over. This was the practice at the three yearly festivals, and on the fast day. But Vitellius put those garments into our own power, as in the days of our forefathers; and ordered the captain of the guard not to trouble himself to enquire where they were laid, or when they were to be used. And this he did as an act of kindness, to oblige the nation to him. Besides which he also deprived Joseph, who was also called Caiaphas, of the High Priesthood; and appointed Jonathan, the son of Ananus, the former High Priest, to succeed him. After which, he took his journey back to Antioch.
Book 18, chapter 5
Herod the tetrarch makes war with Aretas, the King of Arabia; and is beaten by him. As also concerning the death of John the Baptist. How Vitellius went up to Jerusalem: together with some account of Agrippa, and of the posterity of Herod the Great.
18.5.1 (§§109–115)
About this time Aretas, the King of Arabia Petrea, and Herod had a quarrel on the account following. Herod the tetrarch had married the daughter of Aretas; and had lived with her a great while: but when he was once at Rome, he lodged with Herod, who was his brother indeed, but not by the same mother: for this Herod was the son of the High Priest Simon’s daughter. However he fell in love with Herodias, this last Herod’s wife: who was the daughter of Aristobulus, their brother, and the sister of Agrippa the Great. This man ventured to talk to her about a marriage between them; which address when she admitted, an agreement was made for her to change her habitation, and come to him, as soon as he should return from Rome. One article of this marriage also was this, that he should divorce Aretas’s daughter. So Antipas, when he had made this agreement, sailed to Rome. But when he had done there the business he went about, and was returned again; his wife having discovered the agreement he had made with Herodias, and having learned it before he had notice of her knowledge of the whole design; she desired him to send her to Macherus: which is a place in the borders of the dominions of Aretas and Herod: without informing him of any of her intentions. Accordingly Herod sent her thither: as thinking his wife had not perceived any thing. Now she had sent a good while before to Macherus, which was subject to her father; and so all things necessary for her journey were made ready for her by the general of Aretas’s army; and by that means she soon came into Arabia, under the conduct of the several generals; who carryed her from one to another successively; and she soon came to her father, and told him of Herod’s intentions. So Aretas made this the first occasion of his enmity between him and Herod: who had also some quarrel with him about their limits, at the countrey of Gamalitis. So they raised armies on both sides; and prepared for war; and sent their generals to fight, instead of themselves. And when they had joined battel all Herod’s army was destroyed; by the treachery of some fugitives: who though they were of the tetrarchy of Philip, joined with Herod’s army. So Herod wrote about these affairs to Tiberius, who being very angry at the attempt made by Aretas, wrote to Vitellius, to make war upon him: and either to take him alive, and bring him to him in bonds; or to kill him, and send him his head. This was the charge that Tiberius gave to the president of Syria.
18.5.2 (§§116–119)
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 crouds 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 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.
