Who Were the Four “Caesars” in the New Testament?

The name-title “Caesar” is more common than many realize. Not only was it the surname of the Roman statesman, Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE), but it was adopted by Octavius Agustus (and his successors), making it a common title for Roman emperors and rulers of other empires as well. For example, the titles “Tsar” of Russia, “Kaiser” of Germany, and “Kayser-i Rûm” of the Ottoman Empire are each designations which mean “Caesar” (or, in the case of the Turkish Sultan, “Caesar of Rome”). Thus, “Caesar” (as a name-title) has become synonymous with authority and power.

While the name Caesar (Latin: Caesar) originally came from ancient Rome, its literal meaning is a matter of debate. Some claim it comes from the Latin caesaries, meaning “head of hair.” Others theorize that it comes from the Latin caedere, meaning “to cut.” Some have said that it is Latin for one who has “blue-gray” eyes.

Thus, the title could have meant that the original Caesar had ample hair, a haircut, been born by Caesarian Section, or had bluish-gray eyes. It is simply unclear what the earliest meaning of the name was. And yet, four different rulers mentioned in the New Testament bore the name-title “Caesar,” and had impact on first century Rome and the early Christian movement. What follows is a brief breakdown of who they were and their main “contributions”—if they can be called that.

Augustus Caesar

The first of the biblical Caesars was Augustus Caesar (reigned 27 BCE–14 CE). Mentioned in Luke chapter 2 as the man who called the census that would require Joseph and Mary to go “up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem” (Luke 2:4), Augustus Caesar was the Roman emperor in the year that Jesus was born.

Given the name Gaius Octavius at birth, and adopted by Julius Caesar (his great-uncle), he succeeded his assassinated uncle—becoming the first Emperor of Rome. He was given the title “Augustus,” meaning “the revered one.” Augustus is famous for initiating an era of peace—one that lasted for more than 200 years. Having rebuilt much of his kingdom, he famously said, “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.”

Though he was emperor, he avoided referring to himself as such. He called himself the “princeps” or “first citizen” of Rome. A clever and calculated politician, he truly wanted the people to believe that they lived in a republic rather than a dictatorship—and he very much sought to establish a “cult of personality.” The fact that he was worshiped as a god (after his passing) indicates that the people really did love and admire Augustus Caesar. His rule not only set up Rome for its successive dictators, but it also set the stage for much of the New Testament.

Tiberius Caesar

Tiberius Caesar (reigned 14–37 CE) was the second of the biblical Caesars. He reigned during Jesus’ adult life, and was the emperor when Jesus was tried and crucified. Prior to becoming emperor, Tiberius was a successful general, expanding Roman influence during his military career. However, as an emperor, he seemed somewhat uncomfortable with the scope of his power. He often delegated responsibilities belonging to himself to others.

Indeed, after the sudden death of one of his sons (in 23 CE), Tiberius became a recluse, withdrew to Capri, and left the government in the hands of an advisor who was so corrupt that Tiberius ultimately had to have the man executed.

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to death, was an appointee of Tiberius Caesar. In the end, this second of the biblical Caesars was a somewhat paranoid, reclusive, and disengaged leader who will probably best be remembered for being emperor during the “generation of vipers” whom John the Baptizer condemned during “the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar” (Luke 3:1, 7).

Claudius Caesar

The third Caesar mentioned in the Bible is Claudius Caesar (reigned 41–54 CE), the uncle of Caligula (12–41 CE). Because he had a speech impediment (a stutter or stammer) and was physically awkward, most dismissed Claudius as inconsequential. Indeed, after his nephew’s execution, the Praetorian Guard proclaimed Claudius the new emperor—presumably because the guards believed he would be their puppet. However, that turned out to not be the case.

Claudius blossomed in his new role and was anything but a “pushover.” He cracked down on government corruption, created a sort of “civil service,” and brought Britain into the Roman empire. In addition, he is famous for his building of aqueducts, roads, and canals, and for revamping Rome’s harbor so that it was protected from the frequent storms that had a history of sinking ships.

Educated, intelligent, and bilingual, he struggled in relationships, having married four times—with each marriage being more of a trial than a blessing. Claudius Caesar is mentioned twice in the New Testament. First, when Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine “throughout all the world…in the days of Claudius Caesar.” (Acts 11:28). The second time his name appears is when Luke records that “Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome.” (Acts 18:2) Though not one of the better known of the biblical Caesars, he is seen as having had a positive impact on Rome, though not on Jewry.

Nero Caesar

The final of the four biblical Caesars was Nero Caesar (reigned 54–68 CE). While he is never mentioned by the name Nero (in the New Testament), reference is made to him in the Book of Acts under the generic title of “Caesar.” It was Nero who was emperor when the Apostle Paul was forced to stand trial, at which he made an “appeal to Caesar” (Acts 25:11). And Nero Caesar is also believed to have been the Roman emperor when Paul and Peter were each martyred. He was ruthless to Christians, being one of their worst tormentors, and the sponsor of the first imperial or government sponsored persecution of Christianity.

When Rome burned (in 64 CE), and Nero supposedly “fiddled” through it, it was the Christians he blamed for the fire—though no support exists to suggest they were involved. Nero not only tortured and killed many believers in Jesus, but he also took the lives of his mother, his wife, and his advisor (Seneca the Younger). In the end, his reign concluded in chaos, with provincial revolts erupting and the Roman Senate declaring him a “public enemy.” Nero Caesar committed suicide (in 68 CE), his last words lamenting Rome’s loss because of his passing.

The four biblical Caesars were men of note and accomplishment. However, as the name-title “Caesar” may imply, they were also “leaders” who “cut off” Jews and Christians from societal support and personal rights. Each successive biblical Caesar became worse than his predecessor in his view and treatment of the believers in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob; and, in the end, outside of the history books, the New Testament always records their names in the context of some opposition to, confrontation with, or inconvenience of the Church, its leaders, or the lives of the Christian people.