Freethought & Rationalism Archive

vid · 06-27-2008, 03:55 AM

While reading Josephus autobiography, I've hit upon following passage:

Quote:

I was informed that one, whose name was Banus, lived in the desert, and used no other clothing than grew upon trees, and had no other food than what grew of its own accord, and bathed himself in cold water frequently, both by night and by day, in order to preserve his chastity,

To me, it rings too many parallels to early christian traditions:
- staying in desert (Jesus 40 days in desert, also fits John the Baptist for Isaiah 40:3 prophecy)
- focus on special clothings (camel for John Baptist, tree growth here)
- focus on bathing in cold water (baptizing?)

Is this just circumstance, or do you think these parallels may show focus on similar topics in Essenes and early Christians?

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