The Jews had, for a great while, had three sects of philosophy peculiar to themselves. Concerning which I will discourse a little: and this the rather because the infection which spread thence among the younger sort, who were zealous for it, brought the publick to destruction.Ģ. For Judas and Sadducus, who excited a fourth philosophick sect among us, and had a great many followers therein, filled our civil government with tumults at present, and laid the foundations of our future miseries, by this system of philosophy, which we before were unacquainted withal. Which these men occasioned by their thus conspiring together. Such were the consequences of this, that the customs of our fathers were altered, and such a change was made, as added a mighty weight toward bringing all to destruction. Nay the sedition at last increased so high, that the very temple of God was burnt down by the enemies fire. A famine also coming upon us reduced us to the last degree of despair: as did also the taking and demolishing of cities. Whence arose seditions: and from them murders of men: which sometimes fell on those of their own people: (by the madness of these men towards one another while their desire was, that none of the adverse party might be left:) and sometimes on their enemies. This was done in pretence indeed, for the publick welfare but in reality, from the hopes of gain to themselves. One violent war came upon us after another: and we lost our friends, which used to alleviate our pains: there were also very great robberies, and murders of our principal men. All sorts of misfortunes also sprang from these men and the nation was infected with this doctrine to an incredible degree. So men received what they said with pleasure: and this bold attempt proceeded to a great height. They also said that God would not otherwise be assisting to them, than upon their joining with one another in such counsels as might be successful, and for their own advantage: and this especially if they would set about great exploits and not grow weary in executing the same. As if they could procure them happiness, and security for what they possessed and an assured enjoyment of a still greater good which was that of the honour and glory they would thereby acquire for magnanimity. Yet was there one Judas, a Gaulonite (1) of a city whose name was Gamala who, taking with him Saddouk, a Pharisee, (2) became zealous to draw them to a revolt: who both said that this taxation was no better than an introduction to slavery: and exhorted the nation to assert their liberty. So they being over persuaded by Joazar’s words, gave an account of their estates, without any dispute about it. But the Jews, although at the beginning they took the report of a taxation heinously yet did they leave off any farther opposition to it, by the persuasion of Joazar, who was the son of Boethus, and High Priest. Moreover Cyrenius came himself into Judea, which was now added to the province of Syria, to take an account of their substance, and to dispose of Archelaus’s money. Coponius also, a man of the equestrian order, was sent together with him: to have the supreme power over the Jews. Now Cyrenius, a Roman senator, and one who had gone through other magistracies, and had passed through them till he had been consul and one who, on other accounts, was of great dignity, came at this time into Syria, with a few others being sent by Cesar to he a judge of that nation and to take an account of their substance. Concerning Judas of Galilee and concerning the sects that were among the Jews.ġ. How Cyrenius was sent by Cesar to make a taxation of Syria and Judea and how Coponius was sent to be procurator of Judea. Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews, Book XVIIIįrom the banishment of Archelaus to the departure of the Jews from Babylon.
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