(May 3, 2021 at 4:50 am)WinterHold Wrote: Maybe Josephus was anti-Christian, or just denying the truth out of hatred for Jesus's religion.
TBH; God gave a hard strike to Judaism by sending Jesus -peace be upon him- as a prophet, so I would expect a Jewish "grudge".
Jews declined in numbers, and became a "minority" when most of them converted to Christianity, so if Josephus was smart enough he will know that Jesus is a threat to his religion.
So I expect him to use the same exact tactics of "character assassination" towards the new threat;i.e Jesus peace be upon him.
He does mention Jesus, though, in passing, some 20 years later, which proves that Josephus was aware of Jesus' existence.
And without delay Peter went quickly out of the synagogue (assembly) and went unto the house of Marcellus, where Simon lodged: and much people followed him...And Peter turned unto the people that followed him and said: Ye shall now see a great and marvellous wonder. And Peter seeing a great dog bound with a strong chain, went to him and loosed him, and when he was loosed the dog received a man's voice and said unto Peter: What dost thou bid me to do, thou servant of the unspeakable and living God? Peter said unto him: Go in and say unto Simon in the midst of his company: Peter saith unto thee, Come forth abroad, for thy sake am I come to Rome, thou wicked one and deceiver of simple souls. And immediately the dog ran and entered in, and rushed into the midst of them that were with Simon, and lifted up his forefeet and in a loud voice said: Thou Simon, Peter the servant of Christ who standeth at the door saith unto thee: Come forth abroad, for thy sake am I come to Rome, thou most wicked one and deceiver of simple souls. And when Simon heard it, and beheld the incredible sight, he lost the words wherewith he was deceiving them that stood by, and all of them were amazed. (The Acts of Peter, 9)