What historical writings influenced the writers of the New Testament?

Answer 1

A:There can be no doubt that the works of the first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, influenced the author of Luke's Gospel and Acts of the Apostles. There are many parallels, and as many attempts to explain them as coincidences or that Josephus was influenced by Luke/Acts, but in at least one instance an error of chronology proves that the influence is from Josephus to Luke/Acts.

Of course there are many other writings that influenced the evangelists, including the Old Testament, Paul's epistles (evident in the gospels), Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Euripedes' play known as the Bacchae and others.

Answer 2

There can be no doubt that the works of the first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, influenced the author of Luke's Gospel and Acts of the Apostles. There are many parallels, and as many attempts to explain them as coincidences or that Josephus was influenced by Luke/Acts, but in at least one instance an error of chronology proves that the influence is from Josephus to Luke/Acts. The story of Paul's conversion and the story of Paul being freed from prison by an earthquake were inspired by Euripedes' ancient play, The Bacchae.

Of course there are many other writings that influenced the evangelists, including the Old Testament, Paul's epistles (evident in the gospels), Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and others.