[antiRepublicrat]

It's also very difficult to believe that his disciples - to a man - would accept a gruesome death (or banishment to an isle prison in the case of John) in support of known hoax.

You need to read up on cult psychology. Even in modern times we have people committing mass suicide because they believed everything their leader said. And even when prophesies flat-out fail, their belief tends to get stronger.

[jonno]

Even in modern times we have people committing mass suicide because they believed everything their leader said. And even when prophesies flat-out fail, their belief tends to get stronger.

Agreed.

However, the cult comparison fails for the simple fact that the disciples don't fit the standard model. They went on espousing their story for decades, often isolated from each other - their group.