John of Gischala (Ancient Greek: Ἰωάννης, Ioánnes; Hebrew: יוחנן בן לוי, fl.
During the Jewish war with Rome, John of Gischala (Ancient Greek: Ἰωάννης ἀπὸ Γισχάλων), son of Levi (υἱὸς Ληΐου), vied with Josephus over the control of Galilee and amassed a large band of supporters from Gischala (Gush Halav) and Gabara,[1] including the support of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.
These harangues of John's corrupted a great part of the young men, and puffed them up for the war.
He attempted to set himself up as ruler of Jerusalem but was challenged in April 69 by Simon Bar Giora.
John and the Zealots fought in the civil war with these two factions [4] until he was finally captured by Titus during the Siege of Jerusalem.