Caesar is the title of the Roman Emperor in the New Testament times, and is a transliteration of the Greek word Καῖσαρ (Kaîsar, Latin: Caesar).[1] Originally, it was the surname of Gaius Julius Caesar, the supreme general of the Roman Republic (100–44 B.C.). There are four Caesars mentioned in the New Testament.
Origin
Julius Caesar, whose name became the origin of the term "Caesar" meaning "emperor," was a politician and general who lived at the end of the Roman Republic. He gained political influence through his military expertise he built up as a soldier, and seized power by starting a civil war. He proclaimed himself to be a lifelong dictator and played a big role in making the nobles-centered Roman Republic into the Roman Empire ruled by one person. After some time, he was assassinated by his opponents, and his adopted son, Octavian, continued his political legacy and became the first emperor of the Roman Empire.
After the death of Julius Caesar, the Roman Senate idolized and worshiped Julius Caesar.[2] His surname, Caesar, became a term referring to the Roman emperor. The term Caesar has influence even in the modern age and has become the etymology of Caesar in English, Kaiser in German, and Tsar in Russian.
Caesar in the New Testament
| Name | Reign | Bible Verses |
| Augustus | 27 B.C.–A.D. 14 | Lk 2:1 |
| Tiberius | A.D. 14– 37 | Mt 22:15–22; Mk 12:13–17; Lk 3:1; 20:19–26; Jn 19:12–16 |
| Claudius | A.D. 41– 54 | Ac 11:28; 18:2 |
| Nero | A.D. 54–68 | Ac 25:10–12; Php 4:22 |
Augustus
Caesar Augustus was the adopted son of Julius Caesar and became the first emperor of the Roman Empire. His real name was Gaius Octavius Thurinus; however, after he became emperor, he received the title of “Augustus,”[3] which means “venerable” by the Senate. Around the time of Jesus’ birth, he issued a decree that a census should be taken.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
Tiberius
Tiberius (Tiberius Caesar Augustus) was the second emperor of the Roman Empire, succeeding Augustus.[5] During his reign, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, John the Baptist gave baptisms of repentance, and Jesus preached the gospel.[6]
The Pharisees once asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar to get Him in trouble. Jesus asked them to show Him a denarius (the Roman currency) and asked them whose portrait and inscription it was.[7]
“Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
At that time, the portrait of Tiberius and the inscription “TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS [Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus]” were inscribed on the denarius. Jesus answered them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” After some time, however, the chief priests and the teachers of the law accused Jesus of opposing tax payments to Caesar and claiming to be Christ, a king. They presented these charges against Jesus to the governor, Pilate.[8][9]
Claudius
Claudius (Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) was the fourth emperor of the Roman Empire, the nephew of Tiberius, the second emperor.[10] The severe famine that the prophet Agabus prophesied in Antioch was fulfilled during the time of Claudius.[11] When Paul and Silas were preaching in Thessalonica, the Jews accused them of rebelling against Caesar by trying to make Jesus their king.[12] Claudius was the Caesar of that time. He tried to tolerate the Jews, but in the end, he expelled the Jews from Rome due to their constant disturbances.
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them.
Nero
Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) was the fifth emperor of the Roman Empire and became one of the most well-known tyrants. He is notorious for blaming Christians and slaughtering them when there was a great fire in Rome in A.D. 64.[13][14][15]
Although Nero’s name is not mentioned directly in the Bible, an event related to him is recorded in the book of Acts. When Apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and detained in Caesarea, he appealed to Caesar. It was because Paul was a Roman citizen and had the right to appeal to the Roman Emperor and be tried.[16] The Caesar he appealed to was Nero.
Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. . . I appeal to Caesar!” After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar, you will go!”
See also
References
- ↑ 2541. Kaisar, Bible Hub
- ↑ The Worship of the Roman Emperors, The Attitude of Ancient Rome toward Religion and Religious Cults, Elmer Truesdell Merrill, The Classical Journal, Vol. 15, No. 4 (Jan., 1920), pp. 80–83
- ↑ 8 Things You May Not Know About Augustus, September 7, 2023, History.com
- ↑ RIC I (second edition) Tiberius 26, Date 14–37, Online Coins of the Roman Empire
- ↑ G.P. Baker, Tiberius Caesar Emperor of Rome
- ↑ "Luke 3:1–2".
- ↑ "Mark 12:14–17".
- ↑ "Luke 23:1–2".
- ↑ "John 19:12–16".
- ↑ 8 Things You May Not Know About Emperor Claudius, September 11, 2023, History.com
- ↑ "Acts 11:28".
- ↑ "Acts 17:7".
- ↑ The Early Christian Martyrs: Persecutions in the Roman Empire, The Collector, June 10, 2023
- ↑ Account of the First Primitive Persecution, Marie Gentert King, Foxes Book of Martyrs, pg. 13
- ↑ The Great Fire of Rome, PBS, May 29, 2014
- ↑ "Acts 22:24–29".