Revision #15109
Tiberius
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Biblical Record
- The name Tiberius appears only once in the Bible, in Luke 3:1. Luke places the moment when the word of God came to John the Baptist "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar." In the same verse he also names Pontius Pilate as governor of Judaea, Herod as tetrarch of Galilee, Herod's brother Philip, and Lysanias as tetrarch of Abilene. A tetrarch was a ruler who, with Roman approval, governed part of a larger territory. "Caesar" was originally a family name but came to be used as a title for the Roman emperor. Scripture records nothing about Tiberius's deeds or character.
+ The name Tiberius appears only once in the Bible, in Luke 3:1. Luke dates the coming of the word of God to John the Baptist "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar." The same verse also names Pontius Pilate as governor of Judaea, Herod as tetrarch of Galilee, Herod's brother Philip, and Lysanias as tetrarch of Abilene. A tetrarch was a ruler who governed part of a territory with Roman approval. "Caesar" was originally a family name, but it came to be used as a title for the Roman emperor. Scripture records nothing about the deeds or character of Tiberius.
=
= ## Significance Within Scripture
- Tiberius does not appear directly as a character in the narrative. Instead, his name serves as a chronological marker, fixing the timing of the gospel events by linking them to the rulers of the world at that time. According to historical sources outside the Bible, Tiberius succeeded Augustus and reigned from AD 14 to 37. For this reason, the emperor referred to in the Gospels simply as "Caesar," without a personal name, is generally understood to be Tiberius. Examples include the Caesar mentioned in the dispute over paying taxes during Jesus' public ministry (Mark 12:13–17) and in the trial before Pilate. These passages, however, do not name Tiberius directly.
+ Tiberius does not appear directly as a character in the narrative. His name serves instead as a chronological marker that fixes the timing of the gospel events by linking them to the rulers of the world at that time. According to historical sources outside the Bible, Tiberius succeeded Augustus and reigned from AD 14 to 37. For this reason, the emperor referred to in the Gospels simply as "Caesar," without a personal name, is generally understood to be Tiberius. Examples from Jesus' public ministry include the Caesar mentioned in the dispute over paying taxes (Mark 12:13–17) and in the trial before Pilate. These passages, however, do not name Tiberius directly.
=
= ## Interpretation and Points of Debate
- Scholars differ on when to begin counting the "fifteenth year." Counting from AD 14, when Tiberius began his sole rule, yields roughly AD 28–29. Counting from the point at which he began ruling jointly with Augustus places the date a few years earlier. This difference affects estimates of when John the Baptist and Jesus began their public ministries. The Gospel of John's name for the Sea of Galilee, the "Sea of Tiberias," is understood to derive from the city of Tiberias, which Herod Antipas founded and named after the emperor. This connection, however, is not stated directly in the biblical text.
+ Scholars differ on the starting point for counting the "fifteenth year." Counting from AD 14, when Tiberius began his sole rule, yields roughly AD 28–29. Counting from the point at which he began ruling jointly with Augustus places the date a few years earlier. This difference affects estimates of when John the Baptist and Jesus began their public ministries. The name "Sea of Tiberias," which the Gospel of John uses for the Sea of Galilee, is understood to derive from the city of Tiberias, which Herod Antipas founded and named after the emperor. This connection, however, is not stated directly in the biblical text.
=
- ## In the Korean Church
- In the Korean church, Tiberius is mentioned mainly when Luke 3:1 is discussed in sermons or Bible study. In such contexts he is often cited as an example showing that Luke anchored the gospel events in actual historical figures and dates. Sermons or Sunday school lessons focused on Tiberius himself are relatively rare.
+ ## In Korean Churches
+ In Korean Protestant churches, Tiberius is mentioned mainly when Luke 3:1 is treated in sermons or in Bible study. In such settings he is often cited as an example showing that Luke anchored the gospel events in actual historical figures and dates. Sermons or Sunday school lessons devoted to Tiberius himself are relatively rare.
Tiberius, rendered "Diberyo" in the Korean Revised Version of the Bible, was the second emperor of the Roman Empire. His name appears once in Scripture, in Luke 3:1, where it serves as the reference point for dating the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry.
Tiberius was the second emperor of the Roman Empire. His name appears once in Scripture, in Luke 3:1, where it serves as the reference point for dating the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry.
Full revision
Tiberius was the second emperor of the Roman Empire. His name appears once in Scripture, in Luke 3:1, where it serves as the reference point for dating the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry.
Biblical Record
The name Tiberius appears only once in the Bible, in Luke 3:1. Luke dates the coming of the word of God to John the Baptist "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar." The same verse also names Pontius Pilate as governor of Judaea, Herod as tetrarch of Galilee, Herod's brother Philip, and Lysanias as tetrarch of Abilene. A tetrarch was a ruler who governed part of a territory with Roman approval. "Caesar" was originally a family name, but it came to be used as a title for the Roman emperor. Scripture records nothing about the deeds or character of Tiberius.
Significance Within Scripture
Tiberius does not appear directly as a character in the narrative. His name serves instead as a chronological marker that fixes the timing of the gospel events by linking them to the rulers of the world at that time. According to historical sources outside the Bible, Tiberius succeeded Augustus and reigned from AD 14 to 37. For this reason, the emperor referred to in the Gospels simply as "Caesar," without a personal name, is generally understood to be Tiberius. Examples from Jesus' public ministry include the Caesar mentioned in the dispute over paying taxes (Mark 12:13–17) and in the trial before Pilate. These passages, however, do not name Tiberius directly.
Interpretation and Points of Debate
Scholars differ on the starting point for counting the "fifteenth year." Counting from AD 14, when Tiberius began his sole rule, yields roughly AD 28–29. Counting from the point at which he began ruling jointly with Augustus places the date a few years earlier. This difference affects estimates of when John the Baptist and Jesus began their public ministries. The name "Sea of Tiberias," which the Gospel of John uses for the Sea of Galilee, is understood to derive from the city of Tiberias, which Herod Antipas founded and named after the emperor. This connection, however, is not stated directly in the biblical text.
In Korean Churches
In Korean Protestant churches, Tiberius is mentioned mainly when Luke 3:1 is treated in sermons or in Bible study. In such settings he is often cited as an example showing that Luke anchored the gospel events in actual historical figures and dates. Sermons or Sunday school lessons devoted to Tiberius himself are relatively rare.