除了新約聖經以外，猶太史家約瑟夫（Josephus） 在他的著作《猶太古史》（Antiquities of the Jews）也有提到施洗約翰的死。
約瑟夫的記載（《猶太古史》18.5.2）
約瑟夫說：
- 施洗約翰其人
- 他是一個「好人」，勸導猶太人行善、公義，敬拜上帝，並接受洗禮作為潔淨的象徵。
- 約瑟夫特別強調：洗禮不是為了赦罪本身，而是 在靈魂已經被悔改與行義潔淨之後，作為身體的外在標誌。
- 希律安提帕的恐懼
- 因為施洗約翰人氣極高，群眾都很聽從他，希律擔心他可能會煽動百姓反叛。
- 出於政治考量，希律決定先下手為強，把約翰逮捕並囚禁在 馬凱魯斯（Machaerus）要塞，然後處死他。
- 百姓的反應
- 約瑟夫記錄，猶太百姓普遍認為：希律軍隊後來戰敗（約在主後36年，與阿拉伯人交戰失利），就是上帝對他殺害約翰的審判。
與福音書的不同
- 福音書（馬可 6, 馬太 14, 路加 9）：強調宗教道德原因 —— 約翰指責希律娶兄弟妻希羅底的不法，希羅底懷恨在心，藉著女兒跳舞的機會要了約翰的頭。
- 約瑟夫：完全不提希羅底與舞蹈，而是認為 政治原因 —— 希律害怕約翰號召群眾引發叛亂。
詮釋上的可能
- 兩者可能互補：
- 道德衝突（婚姻不法）確實存在，也是約翰指責的焦點；
- 政治顧慮（群眾動員）則是希律採取行動的現實理由。
- 總的來說，這兩種說法不必互相排斥，可以理解為 宗教原因與政治顧慮交織在一起，導致施洗約翰遇害。
總結：
是的，約瑟夫的《猶太古史》確實記載了施洗約翰被希律安提帕殺害，不過他解釋的原因主要是 政治安全考量，而不是聖經所說的「希羅底的怨恨」。這讓我們看到，聖經與史家的視角不同，但共同見證了約翰確實被希律所殺。
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.5.2 (Whiston translation)
“Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins, but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness.
Now when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death.
Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God’s displeasure to him.”
整理重點
- 百姓觀點：猶太人認為希律軍隊後來戰敗，是上帝審判他殺害約翰的結果。
- 約翰的品格：他是一個「好人」，勸人行義、敬虔、施行洗禮，強調洗禮是外在潔淨，前提是內心已悔改。
- 希律的理由：不是因為婚姻道德，而是因為約翰「人氣太高」，可能引發叛亂，出於政治恐懼才將他囚禁並殺害。
- 地點：囚禁並處決的地方是 馬凱魯斯（Machaerus）要塞。
所以，聖經 強調的是「希羅底懷恨」的宗教/道德原因，約瑟夫 強調的是「政治安全」的考量。兩者並不矛盾，而是從不同角度解釋同一歷史事件。