Logically, historians have concluded the Josephus could not have made this prophecy, since Vespasian as not Jewish: “Josephus could hardly have viewed Vespasian as a messianic figure, inasmuch as the Messiah must be Jewish”. However, the application of the messianic tradition must have been utilized freely amongst many differing Jewish groups, which may have illustrated the dangerous nature of sectarian conflict during this time. In this case, Josephus’ betrayal signifies the chaotic religious and political environment of Jewish community, which fostered the growth of the Christian community as a viable alternative to Orthodox Jewry during the First Jewish-Roman War. After convincing Vespasian that he was a loyal minion of Emperor Vespasian, Josephus expresses the rogue application of the Jewish messianic tradition, which was abused for the personal salvation of his own
Logically, historians have concluded the Josephus could not have made this prophecy, since Vespasian as not Jewish: “Josephus could hardly have viewed Vespasian as a messianic figure, inasmuch as the Messiah must be Jewish”. However, the application of the messianic tradition must have been utilized freely amongst many differing Jewish groups, which may have illustrated the dangerous nature of sectarian conflict during this time. In this case, Josephus’ betrayal signifies the chaotic religious and political environment of Jewish community, which fostered the growth of the Christian community as a viable alternative to Orthodox Jewry during the First Jewish-Roman War. After convincing Vespasian that he was a loyal minion of Emperor Vespasian, Josephus expresses the rogue application of the Jewish messianic tradition, which was abused for the personal salvation of his own