XIII. JONATHAN, the son of Ananus, and High Priest of the Jews. He succeeded Joseph firnamed Caiaphas, in the year of the world 4038, and of J. C. 38. he was himself succeeded by his son Theophilus, who was confirmed in this Office in 4040 and deposed in 4040. VitelliusJoseph. Governor of Syria, created Jonathan High Priest, and some time after deprived him of the Pontificate, in order to invest Joseph. Antiq. lxviii. c. 7. Antiq. l. 19. c. 5.Theophilus with it. Agrippa took it from Theophilus, and gave it to Simon firnamed Cantharas, the son of Boethus. Some time Antiq. l. 19. c. 6.after he deprived Simon of it, and offered it again to Jonathan. But he excused himself from accepting it, and told the King, that he was very sensible of the honour he intended him; but did not think himself worthy of it: that he was satisfied with having once worn the sacred ornaments, that he knew a man, who for the purity of his manners, and innocency of his life, better merited this dignity; and this was his brother Matthias, on whom the king accordingly confer’d the High Priesthood, in the year of J. C. 45, of the vulgar Æra 43.
Jonathan had been principally concerned in sending Felix to be governor of Judea, and therefore thought, that he had more authority than another person to represent the great mischief, which he did the Country. Felix weary of these remonstrances from such a censor, resolved to dispatch Antiq. l. 20. c. 6.him. And as the blameless life of Jonathan did not furnish him with any pretence for doing so, he prevailed with one Dora, a native of Jerusalem, and Jonathan’s particular friend, to assassinate him. Dora therefore prepared ruffians, who coming to Jerusalem with daggers concealed under their cloaks, got among Jonathan’s people, and falling upon the old man, murdered him. I do not know in what year exactly this happened. Felix was Governor of Judea till the year 60 of the vulgar Æra.