In the course of relating his role in the Great Revolt against Rome (66–73 C.E.), Josephus refers to Simeon ben Gamliel (I) who was the son of the Gamliel mentioned in the New Testament. Simeon (Simon) was a leading Pharisee and apparently fell during the war. This account shows the extent of Pharisaic involvement in political affairs during the revolt.

(191) This Simon was of the city of Jerusalem and of a very noble family, of the sect of the Pharisees, who are supposed to excel others in the accurate knowledge of the laws of their country. (192) He was a man of great wisdom and reason, and capable of restoring public affairs by his prudence, when they were in an unfortunate position. He was also an old friend and companion of John,38 and at that time he had a difference with me. (193) When, therefore, he received such an exhortation, he persuaded the high priests, Ananus, and Jesus the son of Gamala, and some others of the same seditious faction, to cut me down, as I was growing so great, and not to allow me to attain the height of glory. He said that it would be to the advantage of the Galileans if I were deprived of my government there. He urged them to make no delay about the matter, for fear I would get wind of their plans and make an assault upon the city (Jerusalem) with a great army.

(194) Such was Simon’s advice, but Ananus the high priest demonstrated to them that this was not an easy thing to be done, because many of the high priests and the rulers of the people bore witness that I had acted like an excellent general, and that it was the work of ill men to accuse one against whom they had nothing to say.

(195) When Simon heard Ananus say this, he desired that the messengers should conceal the thing, and not let it come among many; for that he would take care to have Josephus removed out of Galilee very quickly. So he called for John’s brother [Simon], and charged him that they should send presents to Ananus and his friends; for, as he said, they might probably, by that means, persuade them to change their minds.

(196) And indeed Simon did at length thus accomplish his goal: for Ananus, and those with him, being corrupted by bribes, agreed to expel me from Galilee without making the rest of the citizens acquainted with what they were doing. Accordingly they resolved to send men of distinction as to their learning also.

(197) Two of these, Jonathan and Ananias, were of the populace, by sect Pharisees, while the third, Jozar, was of the stock of the priests and a Pharisee also. Simon, the last of them, was descended from the high priests.

(198) Their instructions were that they were to come to the multitude of the Galileans and ask them what was the reason for their devotion to me? If they said that it was because I was born in Jerusalem, they should reply that they four were all born in the same place. If they should say that it was because I was well versed in their law, they should reply that neither were they unacquainted with the practices of their country. But if, besides these, they should say that they loved me because I was a priest, they should reply that two of them were also priests.

38. John of Gischala, one of the rebel leaders, who sought to deprive Josephus of his command of the Galilee and take the post for himself.