Yahya’nın Öyküsü (1).

 

Yahya’nın Öyküsü

 

 

Yahyâ Nebi’nin hayatı hakkındaki kaynaklar Josephus, İncîl, Sâbiîlerin kaynakları ve Qur’an’ı Kerîm’dir.

Josephus, Yahudilerin Eski Eserleri'nde Yahyâ'dan bahseder ve Hirodes Antipas (MÖ 4 - MS 39)'ın emriyle μάχαιρα/Machaerus (מכוור /قلعة مكاور)'taki kalede idam edildiğini belirtir. Mukâvir kalesi günümüzde Ürdün’de bulunan Ölü Deniz’e yakın eski Haşmon kalesidir. Josephus “Yahudi Savaşları”nda bu kale hakkında ayrıntılı bilgi verir.

Josephus’un kitâbında;

Vaftizci Yahyâ’nın Hirodes Antipa (Antipatros-MÖ 4-MS 39) tarafından öldürüldüğünü söyler, Yahyâ’dan övgüyle söz eder. Yine onun Vaftiz yaptığına vurgu yapar.

 

 

“Herod the tetrarch makes war with Aretas, the King of Arabia; and is beaten by him. As also concerning the death of John the Baptist. How Vitellius went up to Jerusalem: together with some account of Agrippa, and of the posterity of Herod the Great…

2. 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 [only], 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 any thing 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.” (Antiquities of the Jews - Book XVIII, CHAPTER 5.2).

Josephus’a göre Yahyâ’nın Öldürüldüğü Mukâvir Kalesi kalıntıları