100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
50. No Mention of the Jewish Uprising AD 66
In A.D.66 the Jews protested the procurator of Judaea, Gessius Florus, because of a pagan sacrifice that was set up in front of a synagogue in Caesarea. Florus commanded that the delegation be arrested, and shortly after, had the Roman troops raid the markets of Jerusalem. Some 3,600 Jewish men, women and children were slaughtered A. The Jews responded with a widespread military campaign against their Roman oppressors. Despite the internal struggles between the Zealots and the Sicarii, who supported a military effort, and many of the Jewish religious leaders who counselled peace, the rebel uprising was met with surprising success. By late summer, the Jews had control over all of Jerusalem. Even the highly trained 12th Legion led by Cetius Gallus, the Syrian military commander, was met with defeat. Because of their military successes, the Jews even began to mint their own coins B.
The Jewish uprising would have been of extreme importance to anyone interested in recording the history of first century Israel C. The lack of mention of this uprising probably indicates that the book was completed before A.D. 66.
50. No Mention of the Jewish Uprising AD 66 - Notes and References
A. “Josephus: The Essential Writings”, translation by Pail L. Maier, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Mi., 1988, p. 283
B. “After Jesus: The Triumph of Christianity”, Reader’s Digest Association, 1992 p. 71