(1) The Boy among the Doctors. His Education
A.D. 51-2
A.D. 53-4
I was brought up with Matthias, my own brother by
both parents, and made great progress in my education,
gaining a reputation for an excellent memory and understanding.
While still a mere boy, about fourteen years
old, I won universal applause for my love of letters;
insomuch that the chief priests and the leading men of
the city used constantly to meet in order to obtain from
me more accurate information on some particular in our
legal institutions. At about the age of sixteen I determined
to gain personal experience of the several sects
into which our nation is divided. These, as I[1] have
frequently mentioned, are three in number—the first that
of the Pharisees, the second that of the Sadducees, and
the third that of the Essenes. I thought that, after a
thorough investigation, I should be in a position to select
the best. So I submitted myself to hard training and
laborious exercises and passed through the three courses.
Not content, however, with the experience thus gained,
on hearing of one named Bannus, who dwelt in the
wilderness, wearing only such raiment as trees provided,
feeding on such things as grew of themselves, and using
frequent ablutions of cold water, by day and night, for
purity's sake, I became his ardent disciple. With him
I lived for three years and, having accomplished my
- ↑ Lit. "we." For the various descriptions of the Jewish sects see §§ (53)-(55).
