The Bible: History - The Frame Of Reference

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History - the Frame of Reference Part 1 - The Place

 

[This will be a gift to those that really love evidences, and they desire to show their loved ones, and even their enemies.]

 

History is a frame of reference in which we may begin to discuss any topic, including the Scriptures, for the Scriptures themselves are the actual History Book of the events that began in Heaven, to the events leading up to the Creation of this world, and the events from there, unto the New Creation. The Bible itself is the standard test of history, since within its pages is the eyewitness of the Eternal, who has always been, yet we can also look into other sources of history, as a lesser witness, and find marvelous treasures there, left by God, that affirm the Word, even as we could for Creation.

 

How far back do we want to dig will be up to us, but instead of random topics, let us begin with the whole focus of History - Jesus Christ, and consider the events, people and places surrounding Him.

So, most people, when having this discussion, will say that they will fully acknowledge and admit to the fact that the Bible has accurately recorded historical names, places and events in it, but they deny Jesus, His teaching, etc.  They actually suppress the truth, but perhaps with a bit of work, we can help them too be overcomers of doubt and scepticism.

The Bible [both Old and New Testaments; Genesis to Revelation] can be tested like any other historical source for its factual and historical validity, though we as Christians know full well, that it is the Bible which tests all other evidence.

This means that in each case we can go to the gathered historical records, including but not limited to the archeological; paleontological; paleobotanical; anthropological and even the geological data, and show by careful examination of the evidence left by God, that the Bible, God's Word, has been correct all along.

Let us get a quick definition of 'history':

 

"History (from Greek ἱστορία - historia, meaning "inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation"[2]) is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. ... Traditionally, historians have recorded events of the past, either in writing or by passing on an oral tradition, and have attempted to answer historical questions through the study of written documents and oral accounts. For the beginning, historians have also used such sources as monuments, inscriptions, and pictures. In general, the sources of historical knowledge can be separated into three categories: what is written, what is said, and what is physically preserved, and historians often consult all three.[17]" [Wikipedia; History] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History.

 

As can easily be shown by numerous examples, places in the scripture can be verified by such methods as so noted above.

For instance, the Bible directly speaks of the city of "Jersualem":

[1] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49

[2] And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. Acts 13:31

[3] But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. Romans 15:25

etc.

We can then go to other sources [wikipedia; encyclopedias; google maps; historians like Josephus the Jewish Historian, Tacitus the Roman Historian, etc] and verify that such a city existed, and even today still exists, though somewhat war-torn and rebuilt in certain areas, as example [3 examples in some context]:
 

[1] "... This then was the army with which Titus entered enemy territory. (3) He advanced in an orderly fashion, maintaining good reconnaissance and a state of readiness for battle, and encamped at no great distance from Jerusalem." [The Histories; by Publius Cornelius Tacitus; Book 5 - (A.D. 70); paragraph 5.1] - http://www.ourcivilisation.com/smartboard/shop/tacitusc/histries/chap18.htm

[2] "...1. IN the first year of the reign of Cyrus (1) which was the seventieth from the day that our people were removed out of their own land into Babylon, God commiserated the captivity and calamity of these poor people, according as he had foretold to them by Jeremiah the prophet, before the destruction of the city, that after they had served Nebuchadnezzar and his posterity, and after they had undergone that servitude seventy years, he would restore them again to the land of their fathers, and they should build their temple, and enjoy their ancient prosperity. And these things God did afford them; for he stirred up the mind of Cyrus, and made him write this throughout all Asia: "Thus saith Cyrus the king: Since God Almighty hath appointed me to be king of the habitable earth, I believe that he is that God which the nation of the Israelites worship; for indeed he foretold my name by the prophets, and that I should build him a house at Jerusalem, in the country of Judea."

2. This was known to Cyrus by his reading the book which Isaiah left behind him of his prophecies; for this prophet said that God had spoken thus to him in a secret vision: "My will is, that Cyrus, whom I have appointed to be king over many and great nations, send back my people to their own land, and build my temple." This was foretold by Isaiah one hundred and forty years before the temple was demolished. Accordingly, when Cyrus read this, and admired the Divine power, an earnest desire and ambition seized upon him to fulfill what was so written; so he called for the most eminent Jews that were in Babylon, and said to them, that he gave them leave to go back to their own country, and to rebuild their city Jerusalem, (2) and the temple of God, for that he would be their assistant, and that he would write to the rulers and governors that were in the neighborhood of their country of Judea, that they should contribute to them gold and silver for the building of the temple, and besides that, beasts for their sacrifices. ..." [Antiquities of the Jews - Book XI; CONTAINING THE INTERVAL OF TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS. FROM THE FIRST OF CYRUS TO THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT. CHAPTER 1. HOW CYRUS, KING OF THE PERSIANS, DELIVERED THE JEWS OUT OF BABYLON AND SUFFERED THEM TO RETURN TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND TO BUILD THEIR TEMPLE, FOR WHICH WORK HE GAVE THEM MONEY.] - http://www.ccel.org/j/josephus/works/ant-11.htm#EndNote_ANT_11.2b

[3] "The Chronicle Concerning the Early Years of Nebuchadnezzar II ("Jerusalem Chronicle"; ABC 5) is one of the historiographical texts from ancient Babylonia. It deals with several subjects, but the reference to the capture of Jerusalem in 597 BCE has received most attention. No less important is the description of Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns against the Egyptian king Necho II, who had tried to conquer Syria ('Hatti'). ... 12'. and besieged the city of Judah and on the second day of the month of Addaru he seized the city and captured the king [Jehoiachin; note 2]." [Jerusalem Chronicle; Nebuchadnezzar Tablet] - http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/abc5/jerusalem.html

 

Even a cursory trip to the middleast, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Arabia, Egypt etc reveals that many cities, even whole countries [india, Ethiopia, Arabia] still exist to this day, bearing the very same names as they had so long ago, while certain some have since those times have gone through various changes in name.

So, now that we have a place that is historically valid [Jerusalem], we can begin to look at names and events surrounding this historical and literal place. We can also further affirm the Scriptures in these other areas, by considering the other sources. There is at no point that we have to automatically assume all, but rather we may gather more at each point tested, placing one stone upon another, built upon the foundation of the evidences.

So, does Jerusalem [under scrutiny] currently exist as a city? Did it exist in the past? Did it exist in the time of the Roman Caesars, in the likes of Julius, Octavius [Augustus], Tiberias, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, ... Diocletian ... and so on, etc? Did it exist in the days of Alexander III the Great of Macedon [Greece], in the days of Darius I Hystaspes the Persian and Cyrus II The Great [of the Medes/Persians], in the days of Nebuchadnezzar II [of Babylon] and so on?

Each of the above is easily shown to be so from historical sources. Thus, through the frame of reference of History the "place" [Jerusalem] is made known.

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History - the Frame of Reference Part 2 - The Peoples

 

Now that we have a "place" - Jerusalem, we can begin to look at the history surrounding and those involved with it.

 

Let us then consider the "peoples" of it, who were/are they?

We can then consider what the Bible calls "Israelites" or also known as "Hebrews", and also as "Jews" [though there is a certain distinction between these terms, this will not be gone into here at this point].

 

[1] "Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter [was] read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power." Ezra 4:23

 

[2] "And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest [it]." Mark 15:2

 

[3] "And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me." Exodus 10:3

 

We can ask, Did they exist, as the Scriptures give?

We only have to briefly look at the monumental collected and gathered evidences to see that the Israelites/Hebrews did indeed exist, again from - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_archaeology

One such item to possibly consider is the "Merneptah Stele":

"The Merneptah Stele—also known as the Israel Stele or Victory Stele of Merneptah—is an inscription by the Ancient Egyptian king Merneptah (reign:1213 to 1203 BC), which appears on the reverse side of a granite stele erected by the king Amenhotep III. It was discovered by Flinders Petrie in 1896 at Thebes.

The stele is notable for being the only Ancient Egyptian document generally accepted as mentioning "Isrir" or "Israel". It is the earliest known attestation of the demonym Israelite. It is therefore refereed to it as the "Israel stele"." [Wikipedia - Merneptah Stele] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merneptah_Stele

 

Or another artifact, like the "Mesha Stele":

"The Mesha Stele (popularized in the 19th century as the "Moabite Stone") is a black basalt stone bearing an inscription by the 9th century BC ruler Mesha of Moab in Jordan.

The inscription was set up about 840 BC as a memorial of Mesha's victories over "Omri king of Israel" and his son, who had been oppressing Moab. It is the most extensive inscription ever recovered that refers to ancient Israel (the "House of Omri"). It bears what is generally thought to be the earliest extra-biblical Semitic reference to the name Yahweh (YHWH), whose temple goods were plundered by Mesha and brought before his own god Kemosh. French scholar André Lemaire has reconstructed a portion of line 31 of the stele as mentioning the "House of David".[1]

The stone is 124 cm high and 71 cm wide and deep, and rounded at the top. It was discovered at the site of ancient Dibon (now Dhiban, Jordan), in August 1868, by Rev. Frederick Augustus Klein (1827–1903), a German CMS missionary." [Wikipedia - Mesha Stele; aka Moabite Stone] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesha_Stele

 

Or also the "Tel Dan Stele":

 

"The Tel Dan Stele is a stele (inscribed stone) discovered in 1993/94 during excavations at Tel Dan in northern Israel. Its author was a king of Damascus, Hazael or one of his sons, and it contains an Aramaic inscription commemorating victories over local ancient peoples including "Israel"..." [Wikipedia - Tel Dan Stele] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Dan_Stele

 

We may also consider language of the people as being evidenced in history:

"The earliest known inscription in the Paleo-Hebrew alphabet was discovered on the stone on a wall at Tel Zayit, in the Beth Guvrin Valley in the lowlands of ancient Judea. The 22 letters were carved on one side of the 38 lb stone (17 kg) - which resembles a bowl on the other. Next would be the Gezer calendar dated to the late 10th century BCE. The script of the Gezer calendar bears strong resemblance to the akin contemporaneous Phoenician inscriptions from Byblos. Clear Hebrew features are visible in the scripts of the Moabite inscriptions of the Mesha Stele. The 8th-century Hebrew inscriptions exhibit many specific and exclusive traits, leading modern scholars to conclude that already in the 10th century BCE the Paleo-Hebrew alphabet was used by wide scribal circles." [Wikipedia - Paleo-Hebrew Alphabet] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleo-Hebrew_alphabet

 

Thus we now have a "place" [Jerusalem] and now we have a "peoples" [Jews] in Historical record, and from here we can consider further sources from scripture and test them in the light of that same History as well.

 

Here are also two great videos, by a Baptist, brother Don Patton [i love this guy]:

 

 

[DaveW]

I'm more interested in your history.

Have you ever been on this forum under a different name, and if yes, what was that name?

Your refusal to answer this question leads me to believe that you have been here before and been banned for your false teaching.

What other conclusion can be found from a refusal to answer?

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History - the Frame of Reference Part 3a - The Individuals

 

Ok, now that we have a "place" [Jerusalem] and a "people" [israel], scripture also speaks of a Roman man by the name of Pilate.

"Pontius Pilate":

And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Matthew 27:2

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Luke 3:1

[This witness of Luke gives us a very specific timeframe to work with.] see a chart -

 

 

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For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, Acts 4:27

I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 1 Timothy 3:16

 

"Pilate" as found in all four [Matthew, Mark, Luke and John] Gospel accounts, in the Book of Acts [again by Luke, additional witness of Paul in it] and 1 Timothy 6 [Paul]:

Matthew 27:2,13,17,22,24,58,62,65;
Mark 15:1,2,4,5,9,12,14,15,43,44;
Luke 3:1; 13:1; 23:1,3,4,6,11,12,13,20,24,52;
John 18:29,31,33,35,37,38; 19:1,4,5,6,8,10,12,13,15,19,21,22,31,38;
Acts 3:13; 4:27; 13:28;
1 Timothy 6:13

 

A quick source verification says,

"Pontius Pilatus (Greek: Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, Pontios Pīlātos), known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate (play /ˈpɒntʃəs ˈpaɪlət/), was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36.[1][2] He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus. As prefect, he served under Emperor Tiberius.

The sources for Pilate's life are the four canonical gospels, a brief mention by Tacitus, and an inscription known as the Pilate Stone, which confirms his historicity..." [Wikipedia; Pontius Pilate] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontius_Pilate

 

So, is this Roman man "Pilate" mentioned elsewhere in historical record?  Yes:

 

Philo of Alexandria [aka "(20 BC – 50 AD) ... Philo Judaeus, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria, Yedidia, "Philon", and Philo the Jew" [Wikipedia; Philo] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo ], speaks of Pilate [Pilatos, Pilaton]:

""299. ἔχω δέ τι καὶ φιλοτίμημα αὐτοῦ προσδιηγήσασθαι, καίτοι μυρίων ἀπολελαυκὼς ὅτε ἔζη κακῶν· ἀλλὰ τἀληθὲς φίλον καὶ σοὶ τίμιον. Πιλᾶτος ἦν τῶν ὑπάρχων ἐπίτροπος ἀποδεδειγμένος τῆς Ἰουδαίας· οὗτος οὐκ ἐπὶ τιμῇ Τιβερίου μᾶλλον ἢ ἕνεκα τοῦ λυπῆσαι τὸ πλῆθος ἀνατίθησιν ἐν τοῖς κατὰ τὴν ἱερόπολιν Ἡρῴδου βασιλείοις ἐπιχρύσους ἀσπίδας μήτε ¦ ...

... 304. ὁ δὲ διαναγνοὺς οἷα μὲν εἶπε Πιλᾶτον, οἷα δὲ ἠπείλησεν· ὡς δὲ ὠργίσθη, καίτοι οὐκ εὔληπτος ὢν ὀργῇ, περιττόν ἐστι διηγεῖσθαι, τοῦ πράγματος ἐξ αὑτοῦ φωνὴν ἀφιέντος. 305..."" [Philo; Legatio ad Gaium [Embassy to Gaius [Caligula]]; Greek Sections 299-305 - http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/-020_0050,_Philo_Judaeus,_Legatio_ad_Gaium,_GR.pdf ; for English see also - http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Z3RfAAAAMAAJ&q=pilate#search_anchor ]

"Our earliest surviving literary reference to Pontius Pilate is found within the writings of the diaspora Jew, Philo of Alexandria. His Embassy to Gaius (or Legatio ad Gaium) describes how Pilate offended against the Jewish Law by setting up aniconic shields in Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders appealed to Tiberius who ordered Pilate to remove them (§§ 299–305). The incident is found within a letter supposedly from Agrippa I to Gaius Caligula, attempting to dissuade the Emperor from setting up his statue in the Jerusalem Temple (§§ 276–329). ..." [Chapter Extract] - http://ebooks.cambridge.org/chapter.jsf?bid=CBO9780511585166&cid=CBO9780511585166A010

See also the Book: "Philonis Alexandrini Legatio ad Gaium" [E. Mary Smallwood; Page 302 onward] - http://books.google.com/books?id=udcUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA302&lpg=PA302&vq=pilate#v=onepage&q=pilate&f=false

 

Tacitus [Roman Historian, aka "Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (AD 56 – AD 117)" [Wikipedia; Tacitus] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacitus ]:

"...Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular...." [Tacitus; "Annals (written ca. 116 AD), book 15, chapter 44."] - http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/txt/ah/tacitus/TacitusAnnals15.html

 

Josephus [aka "Titus Flavius Josephus (37 – c. 100),[2] also called Joseph ben Matityahu" [Wikipedia; Jospehus] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus ]:

"...He also deprived him in a little time, and ordained Eleazar, the son of Ananus, who had been high priest before, to be high priest; which office, when he had held for a year, Gratus deprived him of it, and gave the high priesthood to Simon, the son of Camithus; and when he had possessed that dignity no longer than a year, Joseph Caiaphas was made his successor. When Gratus had done those things, he went back to Rome, after he had tarried in Judea eleven years, when Pontius Pilate came as his successor." [Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews; Book 18; Section 29] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0146:book=18:section=29&highlight=pilate

"[169] Now Pilate, who was sent as procurator into Judea by Tiberius, sent by night those images of Caesar that are called ensigns into Jerusalem. This excited a very among great tumult among the Jews when it was day; for those that were near them were astonished at the sight of them, as indications that their laws were trodden under foot; for those laws do not permit any sort of image to be brought into the city. Nay, besides the indignation which the citizens had themselves at this procedure, a vast number of people came running out of the country. These came zealously to Pilate to Cesarea, and besought him to carry those ensigns out of Jerusalem, and to preserve them their ancient laws inviolable; but upon Pilate's denial of their request, they fell 1 down prostrate upon the ground, and continued immovable in that posture for five days and as many nights." [Josephus; Jewish Wars; Book 2; Section 169] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148%3Abook%3D2%3Asection%3D169

 

Coins [Roman Procurator Coinage]:

"The bronze coins (or 'prutah') issued by Pontius Pilate between 26 - 36 AD..." [Wikipedia; Pontius Pilate] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Procurator_coinage#Pontius_Pilate

 

Picture of the coinage issued by Pontius Pilate -

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coin-of-Pilate.jpg

Stone Inscription:

"The Pilate Stone is the name given to a block (82 cm x 65 cm) of limestone with a carved inscription attributed to Pontius Pilate, a prefect of the Roman-controlled province of Judaea from 26-36. The stone is significant because it is the only universally accepted archaeological find with an inscription mentioning the name "Pontius Pilatus" to date.

The Pilate Stone is currently located at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.[1][2]

...

On the partially damaged block is a dedication to the deified Augustus and Livia ("the Divine Augusti") of a Tiberieum (a building in honour of Tiberius Caesar Augustus). It has been deemed authentic because it was discovered in the coastal town of Caesarea, which was the capital of Iudaea Province[4] during the time Pontius Pilate was Roman governor.

The partial inscription reads (conjectural letters in brackets):

[DIS AUGUSTI]S TIBERIÉUM
[...PO]NTIUS PILATUS
[...PRAEF]ECTUS IUDA[EA]E
[...FECIT D]E[DICAVIT]

The translation from Latin to English for the inscription reads:

To the Divine Augusti [this] Tiberieum
...Pontius Pilate
...prefect of Judea
...has dedicated [this]

...

The limestone block was discovered in June 1961 by Italian archaeologists led by Dr. Antonio Frova while excavating an ancient theater (built by decree of Herod the Great c. 30 BC), called Caesarea Maritima in the present-day city of Caesarea-on-the-Sea (also called Maritima).[5]" [Wikipedia; Pilate Stone] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilate_Stone

 

A picture of the Stone and its inscription here -

 

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Pilate_Inscription.JPG

 

Thus, we now have the Roman Pontius Pilate in existence of the time of Tiberius in the very era that the scriptures so clearly give.

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History - the Frame of Reference Part 3b - The Individuals

 

The “Herod's” of Bible History, there were 7 of them:

Matthew 2:1,3,7,12,13,16,19,22; 14:1,3,6;

Mark 6:14,16,17,18,20,21,22; 8:15;

Luke 1:5; 3:1,19; 8:3; 9:7,9; 13:31; 23:7,8,11,12,15;

Acts 4:27; 12:1,6,11,19,20,21; 13:1; 23:35;

 

 

See Herod The Great:

 

Matthew 2:1,3,7,12,13,16,19,22;

Luke 1:5;

 

 

Also see Herod “Archelaus”:

Matthew 2:22;

 

 

Also see Herod “Philip” I [aka “Herod II”]:

Matthew 14:3;

Mark 6:17;

Luke 3:19;

 

 

Also see “Philip the Tetrarch” II [aka Herod “Philip” II]:

Luke 3:1;

 

 

Also see Herod “Antipas” the Tetrarch:

 

Matthew 14:1,3,6;

Mark 6:14,16,17,18,20,21,22; 8:15;

Luke 3:1,19; 8:3; 9:7,9; 13:31; 23:7,8,11,12,15;

Acts 4:27; 13:1;

 

 

Also see Herod "Agrippa" I:

 

Acts 12:1,6,11,19,20,21;

 

 

Also see Herod “Agrippa” II:

Acts 25:13,22,23,24,26; 26:1,2,7,19,27,28,32;

 

 

[1] King Herod “the Great” [son of Antipater of Idumea and wife Cypros]

[Wives: [1] “Doris”, [2] “Mariamne I”, [3] “Mariamne II”, [4] “Malthace”, [5] “Cleopatra of Jerusalem”; Children: [1] “Antipater II”, [2] “Prince Alexander”, [3] “Prince Aristobulus IV”, [4] “Princess Salampsio”, [5] “Herod Philip I”, [6] Herod Antipas”; [7] “Herod Archelaus”; [8] “Olympias the Herodian”; [9] “Prince Herod”, [10] “Herod Philip II” [Wikipedia; Herod the Great] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_the_Great ]:

Matthew 2:1,3,7,12,13,16,19,22;

Luke 1:5;

“[19] [For example, I shall relate] how Antiochus, who was named Epiphanes, took Jerusalem by force, and held it three years and three months, and was then ejected out of the country by the sons of Asamoneus: after that, how their posterity quarreled about the government, and brought upon their settlement the Romans and Pompey; how Herod also, the son of Antipater, dissolved their government, and brought Sosins upon them; as also how our people made a sedition upon Herod's death, while Augustus was the Roman emperor, and Quintilius Varus was in that country; and how the war broke out in the twelfth year of Nero, with what happened to Cestius; and what places the Jews assaulted in a hostile manner in the first sallies of the war.” [Flavius Josephus; The Wars of the Jews; Book 1; Section 19] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+BJ+1.19&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148

“(282) ... then resolved to get him made king of the Jews … (284) … told them that it was for their advantage in the Parthian war that Herod should be king; so they all gave their votes for it. (285) And when the senate was separated, Antony and Caesar went out, with Herod between them; while the consul and the rest of the magistrates went before them, in order to offer sacrifices, and to lay the decree in the Capitol. Antony also made a feast for Herod on the first day of his reign. ...” [Flavius Josephus; The New Complete Works of Flavius Josephus, William Whiston, Paul L. Maier; Book 1; Chapter 14; sections 282-285; Page 692] - http://books.google.com/books?id=pTY4kBRIVQYC&pg=PA692&lpg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false

“[164] But the people, on account of Herod's barbarous temper, and for fear he should be so cruel and to inflict punishment on them, said what was done was done without their approbation, and that it seemed to them that the actors might well be punished for what they had done. But as for Herod, he dealt more mildly with others [of the assembly] but he deprived Matthias of the high priesthood, as in part an occasion of this action, and made Joazar, who was Matthias's wife's brother, high priest in his stead. Now it happened, that during the time of the high priesthood of this Matthias, there was another person made high priest for a single day, that very day which the Jews observed as a fast. The occasion was this: This Matthias the high priest, on the night before that day when the fast was to be celebrated, seemed, in a dream, 1 to have conversation with his wife; and because he could not officiate himself on that account, Joseph, the son of Ellemus, his kinsman, assisted him in that sacred office. But Herod deprived this Matthias of the high priesthood, and burnt the other Matthias, who had raised the sedition, with his companions, alive. And that very night there was an eclipse of the moon. 2

1 This fact, that one Joseph was made high priest for a single day, on occasion of the action here specified, that befell Matthias, the real high priest, in his sleep, the night before the great day of expiation, is attested to both in the Mishna and Talmud, as Dr. Hudson here informs us. And indeed, from this fact, thus fully attested, we may confute that pretended rule in the Talmud here mentioned, and endeavored to be excused lay Reland, that the high priest was not suffered to sleep the night before that great day of expiation; which watching would surely rather unfit him for the many important duties he was to perform on that solemn day, than dispose him duly to perform them. Nor do such Talmudical rules, when unsupported by better evidence, much less when contradicted there by, seem to me of weight enough to deserve that so great a man as Reland should spend his time in endeavors at their vindication.

2 This eclipse of the moon (which is the only eclipse of either of the luminaries mentioned by our Josephus in any of his writings) is of the greatest consequence for the determination of the time for the death of Herod and Antipater, and for the birth and entire chronology of Jesus Christ. It happened March 13th, in the year of the Julian period 4710, and the 4th year before the Christian era. See its calculation by the rules of astronomy, at the end of the Astronomical Lectures, edit. Lat. p. 451, 452.” [Flavius Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews; Book 17; Chapter 6; Section 4] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+AJ+17.6.4&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0146

 

Quick Source:

“Herod (Hebrew: הוֹרְדוֹס‎, Hordos, Greek: Ἡρῴδης, Hērōidēs), also known as Herod the Great (born 73 or 74 BCE, died 4 BCE in Jericho[1]), was a Roman client king of Judea.[2][3][4]” [Wikipedia; Herod the Great] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_the_Great

 

Copper Coin of Herod's:

 

“...bearing the legend "ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΗΡΩΔΟΥ" ("Basileōs Hērōdou") on the obverse” [Wikipedia; Herod the Great] -

 

 

'>

Another Coin of Herod - '>

Bronze Coin of Herod - '>

Tomb of Herod the Great:

 

“The location of Herod's tomb is documented by Josephus, who writes, "And the body was carried two hundred furlongs, to Herodium, where he had given order to be buried."[46] Josephus provides more clues about Herod's tomb which he calls Herod's monuments:

So they threw down all the hedges and walls which the inhabitants had made about their gardens and groves of trees, and cut down all the fruit trees that lay between them and the wall of the city, and filled up all the hollow places and the chasms, and demolished the rocky precipices with iron instruments; and thereby made all the place level from Scopus to Herod's monuments, which adjoined to the pool called the Serpent's Pool.[47]

Professor Ehud Netzer, an archaeologist from Hebrew University, read the writings of Josephus and focused his search on the vicinity of the pool and its surroundings at the Winter Palace of Herod in the Judean desert. An article of the New York Times states,

Lower Herodium consists of the remains of a large palace, a race track, service quarters, and a monumental building whose function is still a mystery. Perhaps, says Ehud Netzer, who excavated the site, it is Herod's mausoleum. Next to it is a pool, almost twice as large as modern Olympic-size pools.[48]

It took 35 years for Netzer to identify the exact location, but on May 7, 2007, an Israeli team of archaeologists of the Hebrew University led by Netzer, announced they had discovered the tomb.[49][50][51][52] The site is located at the exact location given by Flavius Josephus, atop of tunnels and water pools, at a flattened desert site, halfway up the hill to Herodium, 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) south of Jerusalem.[53] The tomb contained a broken sarcophagus but no remains of a body.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Gush Etzion Regional Council intend to recreate the tomb out of a light plastic material.[54]” [Wikipedia; Herod the Great] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_the_Great

 

Herodium - '>

[AVBibleBeliever]

Dave I believe he will not answer you.

 

This person in my opinion is sowing discord and weakening the brethren.

 

I can't even read these posts of his without feeling sick.

[banner over me was love]

History - the Frame of Reference Part 3c - The Individuals

 

[2] Herod “Archelaus”:

 

son of Herod “the Great” and wife Malthace, brother of Herod “Antipas” and half-brother of Herod Philip I [aka “Herod II” originally married to Herodias; this is not Philip the Tetrarch [Herod Philip II] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Archelaus

Matthew 2:22;

 

Josephus:

“Now the king had nine wives, 1 and children by seven of them; Antipater was himself born of Doris, and Herod Philip of Mariamne, the high priest's daughter; Antipas also and Archelaus were by Malthace, the Samaritan, as was his daughter Olympias, which his brother Joseph's 2 son had married. By Cleopatra of Jerusalem he had Herod and Philip; and by Pallas, Phasaelus; he had also two daughters, Roxana and Salome, the one by Phedra, and the other by Elpis; he had also two wives that had no children, the one his first cousin, and the other his niece; and besides these he had two daughters, the sisters of Alexander and Aristobulus, by Mariamne. Since, therefore, the royal family was so numerous, Antipater prayed him to change these intended marriages.

1 Dean Aldrich takes notice here, that these nine wives of Herod were alive at the same time; and that if the celebrated Mariamne, who was now dead, be reckoned, those wives were in all ten. Yet it is remarkable that he had no more than fifteen children by them all.

2 To prevent confusion, it may not be amiss, with Dean Aldrich, to distinguish between four Josephs in the history of Herod. 1. Joseph, Herod's uncle, and the [second] husband of his sister Salome, slain by Herod, on account of Mariamne. 2. Joseph, Herod's quaestor, or treasurer, slain on the same account. 3. Joseph, Herod's brother, slain in battle against Antigonus. 4. Joseph, Herod's nephew, the husband of Olympias, mentioned in this place.” [Flavius Josephus; The Wars of the Jews; Book 1; Section 561] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+BJ+1.561&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148

 

Quick Source:

“Herod Archelaus (23 BC – c. 18 AD) was the ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea (biblical Edom) from 4 BC to 6 AD. He was the son of Herod the Great and Malthace the Samaritan, the brother of Herod Antipas, and the half-brother of Herod Philip I. … ” [Wikipedia; Herod Archelaus] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Archelaus

 

Coin of Herod Archelaus -

 

 

'>

 

 

[3] Herod “Philip” I:

 

aka “Herod II” originally married to Herodias; this is not Philip the Tetrarch [Herod Philip II]]] [son of Herod “the Great” and wife Mariamne II, who was “daughter of Simon Boethus the High Priest (Mark 6:17)” [Wikipedia; Herod II] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_II

Matthew 14:3;

Mark 6:17;

Luke 3:19;

 

See also previous mention: [Flavius Josephus; The Wars of the Jews; Book 1; Section 561] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+BJ+1.561&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148

 

Josephus:

“[130] Herod the Great had two daughters by Mariamne, the [grand] daughter of Hyrcanus; the one was Salampsio, who was married to Phasaelus, her first cousin, who was himself the son of Phasaelus, Herod's brother, her father making the match; the other was Cypros, who was herself married also to her first cousin Antipater, the son of Salome, Herod's sister. Phasaelus had five children by Salampsio; Antipater, Herod, and Alexander, and two daughters, Alexandra and Cypros; which last Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, married; and Timius of Cyprus married Alexandra; he was a man of note, but had by her no children. Agrippa had by Cypros two sons and three daughters, which daughters were named Bernice, Mariarune, and Drusius; but the names of the sons were Agrippa and Drusus, of which Drusus died before he came to the years of puberty; but their father, Agrippa, was brought up with his other brethren, Herod and Aristobulus, for these were also the sons of the son of Herod the Great by Bernice; but Bernice was the daughter of Costobarus and of Salome, who was Herod's sister. Aristobulus left these infants when he was slain by his father, together with his brother Alexander, as we have already related. But when they were arrived at years of puberty, this Herod, the brother of Agrippa, married Mariamne, the daughter of Olympias, who was the daughter of Herod the king, and of Joseph, the son of Joseph, who was brother to Herod the king, and had by her a son, Aristobulus; but Aristobulus, the third brother of Agrippa, married Jotape, the daughter of Sampsigeramus, king of Emesa; they had a daughter who was deaf, whose name also was Jotape; and these hitherto were the children of the male line. But Herodias, their sister, was married to Herod [Philip], the son of Herod the Great, who was born of Mariamne, the daughter of Simon the high priest, who had a daughter, Salome; after whose birth Herodias took upon her to confound the laws of our country, and divorced herself from her husband while he was alive, and was married to Herod [Antipas], her husband's brother by the father's side, he was tetrarch of Galilee; but her daughter Salome was married to Philip, the son of Herod, and tetrarch of Trachonitis; and as he died childless, Aristobulus, the son of Herod, the brother of Agrippa, married her; they had three sons, Herod, Agrippa, and Aristobulus; and this was the posterity of Phasaelus and Salampsio. But the daughter of Antipater by Cypros was Cypros, whom Alexas Selcias, the son of Alexas, married; they had a daughter, Cypros; but Herod and Alexander, who, as we told you, were the brothers of Antipater, died childless. As to Alexander, the son of Herod the king, who was slain by his father, he had two sons, Alexander and Tigranes, by the daughter of Archelaus, king of Cappadocia. Tigranes, who was king of Armenia, was accused at Rome, and died childless; Alexander had ason of the same name with his brother Tigranes, and was sent to take possession of the kingdom of Armenia by Nero; he had a son, Alexander, who married Jotape, the daughter of Antiochus, the king of Commagena; Vespasian made him king of an island in Cilicia. But these descendants of Alexander, soon after their birth, deserted the Jewish religion, and went over to that of the Greeks. But for the rest of the daughters of Herod the king, it happened that they died childless. And as these descendants of Herod, whom we have enumerated, were in being at the same time that Agrippa the Great took the kingdom, and I have now given an account of them, it now remains that I relate the several hard fortunes which befell Agrippa, and how he got clear of them, and was advanced to the greatest height of dignity and power.” [Flavius Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews; Book 18; Chapter 5; Section 4] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+AJ+18.5.4&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0146

 

 

[4] “Philip the Tetrarch” II:

 

aka Herod “Philip” II whose wife was originally his “niece Salome, the daughter of Herodias” [Wikipedia; Philip the Tetrarch] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_the_tetrarch

Luke 3:1;

 

See also previous mention: [Flavius Josephus; The Wars of the Jews; Book 1; Section 561] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+BJ+1.561&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148
 

 

Quick Source:

 

“Philip the Tetrarch (sometimes called Herod Philip II by modern writers) was son of Herod the Great and his fifth wife Cleopatra of Jerusalem and half-brother of Herod Antipas and Herod Archelaus (not to be confused with Herod II, whom some writers call Herod Philip I.)

Philip inherited the northeast part of his father's kingdom, which includes Iturea and Trachonitis as mentioned briefly in the Bible by Luke (3:1) or Gaulonitis, and Trachonitis, and Paneas as noted by Flavius Josephus.[1] Augustus Caesar made his own division of Herod's kingdom, giving one half to Archelaus, while dividing the other half into two, to Antipas and Philip. Batanea, with Trachonitis, as well as Auranitis, with a certain part of what was called the House of Zenodorus, paid the tribute of one hundred talents to Philip.[2]

He married his niece Salome, the daughter of Herodias[3] and was a member of the Herodian dynasty sometimes called Herod Philip I, but also known as Herod II, or sometimes Philip of Rome. This Salome appears in the Bible in connection with the execution of John the Baptist. The evangelist Mark (6:17) and Matthew (14:3) write that Philip was her father, which seems an odd mistake until one realizes that the older half-brother of Philip the Tetrarch (Herod Philip II) is also sometimes named Herod Philip - Herod Philip I. Philip the Tetrarch rebuilt the city of Caesarea Philippi, calling it by his own name to distinguish it from the Caesarea on the sea-coast which was the seat of the Roman government.” [Wikipedia; Philip the Tetrarch] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_the_tetrarch
 

Josephus:

“[188] AND now Herod altered his testament upon the alteration of his mind; for he appointed Antipas, to whom he had before left the kingdom, to be tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and granted the kingdom to Archclaus. He also gave Gaulonitis, and Trachonitis, and Paneas to Philip, who was his son, but own brother to Archclaus 2 by the name of a tetrarchy; and bequeathed Jarnnia, and Ashdod, and Phasaelis to Salome his sister, with five hundred thousand [drachmae] of silver that was coined. ...” [Flavius Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews; Book 17; Chapter 8; Section 1] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+AJ+17.8.1&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0146

[DaveW]

I'm more interested in your history.

Have you ever been on this forum under a different name, and if yes, what was that name?

Your refusal to answer this question leads me to believe that you have been here before and been banned for your false teaching.

What other conclusion can be found from a refusal to answer?

[banner over me was love]

History - the Frame of Reference Part 3d - The Individuals

 

[5] Herod “Antipas” the Tetrarch:

 

son of Herod “the Great” and wife Malthace] [original wife – daughter of Aretas, King of Arabia; second wife – Herodias [Philip's [Herod's brother's] wife]] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_antipas

Matthew 14:1,3,6;

Mark 6:14,16,17,18,20,21,22; 8:15;

Luke 3:1,19; 8:3; 9:7,9; 13:31; 23:7,8,11,12,15;

Acts 4:27; 13:1;

 

See also previous mention - [Flavius Josephus; The Wars of the Jews; Book 1; Section 561] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+BJ+1.561&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148
 

Quick Source:

 

“Herod Antipater (Greek: Ἡρῴδης Ἀντίπατρος, Hērǭdēs Antipatros; born before 20 BC – died after 39 AD), known by the nickname Antipas, was a 1st-century AD ruler of Galilee and Perea, who bore the title of tetrarch ("ruler of a quarter"). He is best known today for accounts in the New Testament of his role in events that led to the executions of John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth.

After inheriting his territories when the kingdom of his father Herod the Great was divided upon his death in 4 BC, Antipas ruled them as a client state of the Roman Empire. He was responsible for building projects at Sepphoris and Betharamphtha, and more important for the construction of his capital Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Named in honor of his patron, the emperor Tiberius, the city later became a center of rabbinic learning.

Antipas divorced his first wife Phasaelis, the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea, in favour of Herodias, who had formerly been married to his brother Herod Philip I. According to the New Testament Gospels, it was John the Baptist's condemnation of this arrangement that led Antipas to have him arrested; John was subsequently put to death. Besides provoking his conflict with the Baptizer, the tetrarch's divorce added a personal grievance to previous disputes with Aretas over territory on the border of Perea and Nabatea. The result was a war that proved disastrous for Antipas; a Roman counter-offensive was ordered by Tiberius, but abandoned upon that emperor's death in 37 AD. In 39 AD Antipas was accused by his nephew Agrippa I of conspiracy against the new Roman emperor Caligula, who sent him into exile in Gaul. Accompanied there by Herodias, he died at an unknown date.

The Gospel of Luke states that when Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate for trial, Pilate handed him over to Antipas, in whose territory Jesus had been active. However, Antipas sent him back to Pilate.” [Wikipedia; Herod Antipas] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_antipas

 

Coin of Herod Antipas - '>

 

 

[6] Herod "Agrippa" I:

 

son of Aristobulus and wife Berenice; grandson of Herod “the Great” - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Agrippa_I

Acts 12:1,6,11,19,20,21;

 

See also previous mention - [Flavius Josephus; The Wars of the Jews; Book 1; Section 561] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+BJ+1.561&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148

 

Quick Source:

“Agrippa I, also known as Herod Agrippa or simply Herod (10 BCE - 44 CE), was a King of the Jews during the 1st century AD. The grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus IV and Berenice.[1], he was born Marcus Julius Agrippa, so named in honour of Roman statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. He is the king named Herod in the Acts of the Apostles, in the Bible, "Herod (Agrippa)" (Ἡρώδης Ἀγρίππας). He was, according to Josephus, known in his time as "Agrippa the Great".[2]

Agrippa's territory comprised most of Israel, including Iudaea, Galilee, Batanaea and Perea. From Galilee his territory extended east to Trachonitis.” [Wikipedia; Agrippa I] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Agrippa_I

 

 

[7] Herod "Agrippa" II:

 

son of Herod Agrippa I - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Agrippa_II

Acts 23:35; 25:13,22,23,24,26; 26:1,2,7,19,27,28,32;

 

See also previous mention - [Flavius Josephus; The Wars of the Jews; Book 1; Section 561] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=J.+BJ+1.561&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0148

 

Quick Source:

“Agrippa II (born AD 27/28),[1] son of Agrippa I, and like him originally named Marcus Julius Agrippa, was the seventh and last king of the family of Herod the Great, thus last of the Herodians. He was the brother of Berenice, Mariamne, and Drusilla (second wife of the Roman procurator Antonius Felix). He is sometimes also called Herod Agrippa II.[2]” [Wikipedia; Agrippa II] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Agrippa_II

 

Thus we have the 7 Herod's of Scripture from History.

[DaveW]

Take 3........

I'm more interested in your history.

Have you ever been on this forum under a different name, and if yes, what was that name?

Your refusal to answer this question leads me to believe that you have been here before and been banned for your false teaching.

What other conclusion can be found from a refusal to answer?

[John81]

Why bother? He's here with one agenda, and it's not a good one.

[DaveW]

Why bother? He's here with one agenda, and it's not a good one.

Well, it is a simple matter of integrity.

If he has been here before and been banned, then it shows him again to be a deceiver.

I know that he has lied in some of his posts, aside from the deceptive use of truth that he excels in.

A refusal to answer this simple question affirms that he has been banned from here before.

[John81]

What integrity? He originally said he was here to discuss and study together but he's long since proven he's only here to push his agenda and ignore everything else.

 

While his postings are not like others I know of who were banned, I can't say whether he's been here before or not, but his agenda is clear and it's not edifying and not good for this board at all.

[AVBibleBeliever]

I have to agree with John81 he has an agenda and in following that agenda he is being deceptive.

[banner over me was love]

History - the Frame of Reference Part 3e - The Individuals

 

Now that we have the Herods, let us see who and what else we may discover:

"John the Baptist"

The Bible:

“Baptist”:

Matthew 3:1; 11:11,12; 14:2,8; 16:14; 17:13;

Mark 6:14,24,25; 8:28;

Luke 7:20,28,33; 9:19.

“John”:

Matthew 3:1,4,13,14; 4:12; 9:14; 11:2,4,7,11,12,13,18, 14:2,3,4,8,10; 16:14; 17:13; 21:25,26,32

Mark 1:4,6,9,14; 2:18; 6:14,16,17,18,20,24,25; 8:28; 11:30,32;

Luke 1:13,60,63; 3:2,15,16,20; 5:33; 7:18,19,20,22,24,28,29,33; 9:7,9,19; 11:1; 16:16; 20:4,6;

John 1:6,15,19,26,28,29,32,35,40; 3:23,24,25,26,27, 4:1; 5:33,36; 10:40,41;

Acts 1:5,22; 10:37; 11:16; 13:24,25; 18:25; 19:3,4.

“my messenger”:

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1

“voice in the wilderness”:

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Matthew 3:3

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Mark 1:3

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Luke 3:4

He said, I [am] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. John 1:23

”Elijah” [“Elias”]:

Matthew 11:11, 17:10,11 [future tense, Herald of the Second Advent [Rev. 14:6-12; 3 Angels Messages]],12 [present/past tense, Herald of the First Advent];

Mark 9:11,12 [future tense, Herald of the Second Advent [Rev. 14:6-12; 3 Angels Messages]],13 [present/past tense Herald of the First Advent];

Luke 1:17;

John 1:21,25.

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, [with] the statutes and judgments. Malachi 4:4

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Malachi 4:5

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Malachi 4:6

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:17

“friend of the bridegroom [Christ Jesus]”:

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. John 3:29

History

 

Josephus:

“[116] 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; ... Now when [many] others came in crowds 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 a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death...” [Flavius Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews; Book 18; Chapter 5; Section 2] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0146%3Abook%3D18%20%3Awhiston+chapter%3D5%3Awhiston+section%3D2

Quick Source:

 

“There are, however, two approaches to determining when the reign of Tiberius Caesar started.[38] The traditional approach is that of assuming that the reign of Tiberius started when he became co-regent in 11AD, placing the start of the ministry of John the Baptist around 26 AD. ...” - [Wikipedia; "Baptism of Jesus"] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism_of_jesus and according to the prophecies given in the book of Daniel, a specific timeline is there revealed, with the years in which Jesus the Christ would be baptised [AD 27] [6 months after John the Baptist started in AD 26], beginning His 3 1/2 year ministry and also die [AD 31] [see Daniel 9:22-27, etc].
 

 

 

We may also see Ananias the High Priest, whom Paul was brought before in Acts 23-24:

Ananias, the Highpriest:
 

Bible:

 

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Acts 23:2

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. Acts 24:1

 

 

Quick Source:

“Ananias son of Nedebaios (Josephus, Antiquites xx. 5. 2), called "Ananias ben Nebedeus" in the Book of Acts, was a high priest who presided during the trial of Paul at Jerusalem and Caesarea. He officiated as high priest from about AD 47 to 59. Quadratus, governor of Syria, accused him of being responsible for acts of violence. He was sent to Rome for trial (AD 52), but was acquitted by the emperor Claudius. Being a friend of the Romans, he was murdered by the people at the beginning of the First Jewish-Roman War.” [Wikipedia; Ananias son of Nedebaios] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananias_son_of_Nedebaios

 

Josephus:

 

“[100] Then came Tiberius Alexander as successor to Fadus; he was the son of Alexander the alabarch of Alexandria, which Alexander was a principal person among all his contemporaries, both for his family and wealth: he was also more eminent for his piety than this his son Alexander, for he did not continue in the religion of his country. Under these procurators that great famine happened in Judea, in which queen Helena bought corn in Egypt at a great expense, and distributed it to those that were in want, as I have related already. And besides this, the sons of Judas of Galilee were now slain; I mean of that Judas who caused the people to revolt, when Cyrenius came to take an account of the estates of the Jews, as we have showed in a foregoing book. The names of those sons were James and Simon, whom Alexander commanded to be crucified. But now Herod, king of Chalcis, removed Joseph, the son of Camydus, from the high priesthood, and made Ananias, the son of Nebedeu, his successor. And now it was that Cumanus came as successor to Tiberius Alexander; as also that Herod, brother of Agrippa the great king, departed this life, in the eighth year of the reign of Claudius Caesar. He left behind him three sons; Aristobulus, whom he had by his first wife, with Bernicianus, and Hyrcanus, both whom he had by Bernice his brother's daughter. But Claudius Caesar bestowed his dominions on Agrippa, junior.” [Flavius Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews; Book 20; Section 100] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0146:book=20:section=100&highlight=Then+came+Tiberius+Alexander+as+successor+to+Fadus%2C