The Prisoner from Jotapata

Galilee, AD 67: a prisoner in chains, Joseph son of Matthias, tells the Roman general Vespasian that he will become emperor.

Transcript

A prisoner in chains tells a Roman general: you will be emperor. The general does not believe him.

July, AD sixty-seven. Galilee.

The fortress of Jotapata holds out for forty-seven days, until the Romans scale the walls.

The defenders’ commander vanishes. On the third day he comes out of hiding and gives himself up to the enemy.

This is Joseph, son of Matthias, a priest from Jerusalem, about thirty years old.

The Roman general Vespasian wants to send him to Nero. Joseph asks to speak with him alone.

Only the general’s son, Titus, and two friends remain.

You, Vespasian, are Caesar and emperor. You and this son of yours. Why send me to Nero?

The general doubts him. But he does not send him to Nero.

He keeps him at his side. In chains.