neilgodfrey

Zindler does not think that the apparent JB interpolation was done by anyone from any of the canonical schools of thought. In addition to the chronological discrepancy there is also the difference between the canonical JB baptism of repentance and the Josephan JB baptism not being for repentance.

wordy

That sounds very likely to me too. But I am not a "reader" or good thinker but it feels very true to me. They kind of ritually reinterpret history in a religious setting trying to get it right with god. By doing a submission to Jesus as a sacrifice to get saved. Rome thus get conquered by total submission to Rome but a Rome that get reinterpreted as head of the Jesus movement.

A kind of Stockholm Syndrome interpretation. Patricia Hearst reacted that way too. The only way to survive a totally overwhelming enemy could be to make them ones best friend and be one with them. Thus being saved by being allowed to survive cause your not an enemy anymore.