Tiberius (Hastings' Dictionary)
The second Roman em peror, A.u. 14-37. The former is the date ol Tiberius' accession on the death of Augustus. But there is good reason to suppose that St. Luke (3') in his reference to the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Ccesar, as the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry, is reckoning from the date of Tiberius' association with Augustus in the empire some two years before the death of the latter. For the argument see art. Chronologv of NT in vol. i. p. 405 f.
The exact year of Tiberius' adoption by his stepfather in the government is not known. Mommsen puts it A.D. 11, other authorities A.D. 13. Perhaps the use of the word rjyefjios'ta ( A V and KV ' reign ') iniidies that Tiberius was only acting as regent before the death of Augustus. From the evidence of coins struck at this date it is shown that it was customary to regard Tiberius' reign as beginning A.D. 12 or A.u.C. 7(3.5.
This reign spread over the most momentous period in Christian chronology. In it occurred our Lord's ministry and death (A.D. 29) ; the Resurrection ; the pouring out of the Holy Ghost; the martj-rdoni of St. Stephen, and tlie general persecution that immediately followed. All allusions to Casar during our Lord's life, e.g. in the case of the tribute money and the taunt levelled against Pilate, ' Thou art not Caesar's friend,' refer to Tiberius.
The last years of his reign witnessed the conversion of St. Paul and the beginning of his preaching. Tiberius at his accession retained Valerius Gratus as procurator of Judica, in order to lessen the fre- quent changes, and thus diminish the extortion in tne provinces. Each new governor, expecting only a short lease of power, exacted as much as possible in the shortest time. Gratus deposed Annas and made his son Eleazar, and afterwards Caiaphas, hia son-in-law, high priest.
Pontius Pilate, the suc- cessor of Gratus, was also appointed by Tiberius, and was the nominee of Sejanus, the emperor's un- principled favourite. The name Tiberias, given to the city and lake, was intended by Herod Antipas as a compliment to the reigning emperor. See art. TlBElti.\s. C. H. PUICHARD.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Tiberius
Tiberius ti-be'-ri-us (Tiberios): ⇒See a list of verses on TIBERIAS in the Bible. 1. Name and Parentage: The 2nd Roman emperor; full name Tiberius Claudius Nero, and official name as emperor Tiberius Caesar Augustus; born November 16, 42 BC. His father--of the same name--had been an officer under Julius Caesar and had later joined Antony against Octavian (Augustus). His mother was Livia, who became the 3rd wife of Augustus; thus Tiberius was a stepson of Augustus. ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia. 2. Early Life and Relation to Augustus: Much of his early life was spent in successful campaigning. Although the ablest of the possible heirs of Augustus, Tiberius was subjected to many an indignity, Augustus accepting him as his successor only when every other hope failed. When Julia, daughter of Augustus, became a widow for the second time (12 BC), Tiberius was obliged to marry her (11 BC) in order to become protector of the future emperors. For this purpose he was compelled to divorce his wife, Vipsania Agrippina, who had borne him a son, Drusus. Julia brought Tibe…
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Tiberius
(in full, Tiberius Claudius Nero), the second Roman emperor, successor of Augustus, who began to reign A.D. 14 and reigned until A.D. 37. He was the son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia, and hence a stepson of Augustus. He was born at Rome on the 18th of November, B.C. 45. He became emperor in his fifty-fifth year, after having distinguished himself as a commander in various wars, and having evinced talents of a high order as an orator and an administrator of civil affairs. He even gained the reputation of possessing the sterner virtues of the Roman character, and was regarded as entirely worthy of the imperial honors to which his birth and supposed personal merits at length opened the way. Yet, on being raised to the supreme power, he suddenly became, or showed himself to be a very different man. His subsequent life was one of inactivity, sloth and self-indulgence. He was despotic in his government, cruel and vindictive in his disposition. He died A.D. 37, at the age of 78, after a reign of twenty-three years. Our Saviour was put to death in the reign of Tiberius.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Tiberius
Tiberias Claudius Nero, Augustus' step-son and successor as emperor. Reigned A.D. 14 to 37. Son of Tiberias Claudius Nero and Livia. Born at Rome, Nov. 16, 45 B.C. Fifty-five years old at his accession, having already shown ability as a commander, an orator, and an administrator. Horace celebrates his and his brother Drasus' exploits (Odes, 4:4,14). Henceforth slothful, self-indulgent, cruel, and despotic. Died at 78 after a 23 years' reign. Tacitus (Annals 1 to 6) describes vividly his dissimulation and vindictiveness. In speaking of Nero he says: "in order to remove the rumour of his having set fire to Rome, Nero shifted the charge on others, and inflicted the most refined punishments on those whom the populace called Christians, and who were hated for their scandalous doings. The author of the name, Christ, in the reign of Tiberias was visited with capital punishment by the governor Pontius Pilate." In Luk 3:1 John the Baptist's (six months senior to our Lord) ministry is set down in the 15th year of Tiberias' "principate" (hegemonia). Augustus admitted Tiberias to share the empir…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia