Why consider historical accounts such as Josephus, etc.

Several early historians recorded events that happened in the same historical context as many events recorded in the New Testament. There could be reasons to consider their accounts.

Not everything is indicated to be recorded in the Bible

Some events that happened in the 1st century, including things that Jesus did, were not recorded in the Bible. For example it is written at the end of John: "Jesus also did many other signs in-the-presence-of His disciples, which have not been-written in this book" (John 20:30) and "there-are also many other (things) which Jesus did, which if they-should-be-written individually, I-suppose (that) not-even the world itself (would) have-room-for the books being-written" (John 21:25).

Paul quoted non-Christian authors, indicating that they said true things

Paul the apostle quoted non-Christian authors, as for example: "For in Him we-live and move and exist, as also some (of) your poets have-said — ‘For we-are indeed the (One’s) offspring’." He also indicated that they said true things: "One of them, their own prophet, said “Cretans (are) always liars, evil beasts, non-working gluttons”. This testimony is true." (Titus 1:12-13).

Some historians were born in the 1st century when eye-witnesses of events reported could have still been alive

Several early historians were born in the 1st century (Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius). Eye-witnesses of many of the events that were reported by them could still have been alive when they wrote their accounts. These eye-witnesses could deny the veracity of their accounts if they did not match what actually happened.

Their perspectives may be unbiased especially when their reports would correlate with Christian narratives

Josephus was believed to be a Jew. Tacitus and Suetonius were believed to be Roman historians. Their perspectives would not seek to confirm Christian narratives. If some of their reports correlate with Christian narratives, that could be additional reason to believe that their accounts were unbiased (toward trying to confirm Christian narratives, as they themselves were not Christians and would not have sought to do so).

Early Christians authors wrote about considering them

Early Christian authors wrote that the accounts of an early historian (outside the Bible) should be considered, even when trying to further consider some passages within the Bible.

Around the 4th century, the Christian historian Eusebius also wrote in "Ecclesiastical History":

(3.5.4): "many great sieges which were carried on against the cities of Judea, [...] and how at last the abomination of desolation [Matthew 24:15], proclaimed by the prophets, stood in the very temple of God, so celebrated of old, the temple which was now awaiting its total and final destruction by fire,— all these things any one that wishes may find accurately described in the history written by Josephus."

 

In the 4th century, a Christian author named Chrysostom wrote in "Homilies on Matthew":

Homily 76: "[...] to flee on the Sabbath day, because of the law, neither in winter was such a thing easy; therefore, Pray ye [Matthew 24:20], says He; And let not any man suppose this to have been spoken hyperbolically; but let him study the writings of Josephus, and learn the truth of the sayings. For neither can any one say, that the man being a believer, in order to establish Christ's words, has exaggerated the tragical history. For indeed He was both a Jew, and a determined Jew, and very zealous, and among them that lived after Christ's coming."

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