The Rise of False Prophets and Messiahs

One contributor to the tensions that led to the First Jewish Revolt against Rome was messianism, the belief in the imminent arrival of a salvific figure who would usher in the end of days and deliver the Jews from Roman tyranny. This belief system could at times motivate Jewish rebelliousness and Roman response. In this passage, Josephus remarks on the growing popularity of false prophets and messiahs, particularly a figure he refers to as the “Egyptian false prophet.” Although this particular charismatic figure and his followers are defeated, Josephus recounts that the “charlatans and the terrorists” join together to force other Judeans to join their rebellion against the Roman Empire, bringing Judaea ever closer to full revolt. (See also The Gospel of Matthew on False Prophets and Messiahs.)