As I constantly reminded my analysts when I was doing intelligence work, consider the source.

An analysis that use the work of Flavius Josephus as its primary reference is always suspect. Josephus started out as a Zealot rebel in Judea, as the article points out. But, after his capture by the Romans he quickly became an apologist for the Romans. I would expect no less. If he had not tried to paint Vespasian and Titus as the guys wearing the white hats, he might hvery quickly have found himself suffering the fate that befell most captured rebels. As this is the Easter season, I imagine you can figure out what the preferred punishment for rebellion and other forms of lese majesty was in the Roman Empire. I would suspect that made a pretty strong inducement for Josephus to bend the truth to suit his captors and save his hide from the cross.

BTW, We might also bear this in mind WRT the earlier statements by the Brits who were just released by the Iranians.