I have always wanted to see the reference to Jesus as cited by Josephus but the work seemed much too daunting. Then I discovered Wasserstein's edited version of the writings of Flavius Josephus. The editor divides the book into four parts: life, Jewish religion and civilization, antiquities (mostly post-Biblical New Testament times, and the Jewish-Roman War (63 C.E. to the fall if Jerusalem in 70 C.E. and Masada in 73 C.E.) One quickly learns that Josephus was for himself and , even as a leader of the Jews, he switches sides when he sees the way things would end. He praises the Roman emperors and conquerors, thereby assuring himself of life and riches.

In the section of the antiquities, there is a mention of Jesus of Nazareth and the "tribe of Christians", a scant paragraph. Wasserstein, as do many other scholars, feels it is a Christian addition as the text names Jesus as the Messiah, something a Jew would not do. John the Baptist has a brief mention and there is much more about the Herods and Pontius Pilate in that chapter.

The editor explained much that was confusing and tried to help with the name similarities. I found the index necessary for going back and rereading about a name that was mentioned again. And the footnotes were invaluable.

If you want to read Josephus but can't quite manage the full text, this abridgment would by just right. ( )