Folia Theologica 18. (2007)
László Boda: Whether John the Baptist Could Have Been Educated at Qumran? - Johs and Bannus
JOHN AND BANNUS 65 b) As for the "time": if Josephus was born in about 37 A.D., he was 17 years old in 54 A.D.20. It was at this time that he started his "higher" studies which were completed as the disciple of Bannus around 58 A.D. As he stated, he has been the disciple of Bannus for 3 years. Presumably, it was part of the Essenian school. Josephus overstates the time frame of his studies that can be calculated. About 3 to 4 years remain for the "higher education". If he completed his studies with Bannus at his age of 21 in 58, this cave-dwelling scientist hermit lived there about 25 to 30 years later than did John the Baptist. As Josephus went to Rome during the procuratorship (governorship) period of Felix (52 to 60), it shall be assumed that it was in 59 or 60. He could not be 26 years old at that time. It is shown that his dates are sometimes unreliable even in his biography. c) In respect of the “manner", the regular bathing of Bannus is in conformity with the way of life in Qumran. Considering his clothing and meal, however, they undoubtedly show that he failed to go to the fortified monastery at regular intervals either for meals or the common prayer but on exceptional occasions21. He did not drink either wine or other alcoholic drinks. The water, however, was of dominant importance, for reason of either drinking or the regular washing, the so-called "bathing". Presumably, a barrel-shaped tub formed from some recess in the cave served as water reservoir, with "drain", the gaps of which were sealed by means of asphalt taken from the Dead Sea. The Qumranian rules of sect prohibited water already polluted to be used for bathing. Thus, the water supply necessitated the contact with the Essenians of Qumran. Presumably, they disciples could assist him in this respect. Another possibility was hardly available. It would have been impossible to take water from the Jordan regularly. His clothing made from palm-leafs and his meatless dish reflect to a hermit's way of life. 20 The period of the studies of Josephus concerning the “high level” could be about 4 years. 21 The greatest problem in the life of a hermit was not so the meal but the water and the possibility of bathing with the manner of Qumran. Bannus - asJosephus mentions - have had bathing by day and night”. Autobiography, Ibid.
