Did Tiberius ask the Roman Senate to recognize Christ as deity?

 

Ancient records were written by Roman Emperors, historians, and officials, as well as Greek writers, Jewish historians, Mara bar-Serapion, Phlegon, and Thallus about Jesus Christ. These ancient records record that Jesus Christ did miracles, was crucified on a cross, and was resurrected from the grave. Some records were written by Christians. Others were written by non-Christians. A number of them firmly state that Jesus Christ was God.

Tiberius Caesar was a Roman emperor (AD 14-37) when Jesus Christ lived and ministered in Galilee, Judah, and the surrounding area (A.D. 29-33). Tiberius Caesar was one of those who eventually believed that Jesus was God. He had read an official report from Pontius Pilate about Jesus Christ. Pilate was the governor of Judah (A.D. 26-36). Tiberius must have heard other reports about various things Jesus had done since the Roman army occupied Galilee and Judah.

Eusebius of Caesaria wrote an important report about Tiberius in his book on Church History. He indicates that Pontius Pilate informed Tiberius of the resurrection of Jesus. Here is a quote from his document.

And when the wonderful resurrection and ascension of our Saviour were already noised abroad, in accordance with an ancient custom which prevailed among the rulers of the provinces, of reporting to the emperor the novel occurrences which took place in them, in order that nothing might escape him, Pontius Pilate informed Tiberius of the reports which were noised abroad through all Palestine concerning the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus from the dead.

They say that Tiberius referred the matter to the Senate, but that they rejected it, ostensibly because they had not first examined into the matter (for an ancient law prevailed that no one should be made a God by the Romans except by a vote and decree of the Senate), but in reality because the saving teaching of the divine Gospel did not need the confirmation and recommendation of men.

But although the Senate of the Romans rejected the proposition made in regard to our Saviour, Tiberius still retained the opinion which he had held at first, and contrived no hostile measures against Christ.¹

Tertullian also reported that Tiberius believed Christ was God in chapter 5 of book 1 of his Apology:

Tiberius accordingly, in whose days the Christian name made its entry into the world, having himself received intelligence from Palestine of events which had clearly shown the truth of Christ’s divinity, brought the matter before the senate, with his own decision in favour of Christ. The senate, because it had not given the approval itself, rejected his proposal.²

Justin Martyr in First Apology adds this about Pontius Pilate’s report to Rome. It is important to note that the Acts of Pontius Pilate is strongly endorsed as authenticated by Epiphanius (Heresies 50.1). Later in the fourth and fifth centuries, fake versions of the Acts of Pilate were created and distributed; but that does not mean the official Roman report did not exist. It is obvious that the Acts of Pontius Pilate had to exist since the Roman Senate considered declaring Jesus to be God.  Justin Martyr wrote,

And again in other words, through another prophet, He says, “They pierced My hands and My feet, and for My vesture they cast lots.” And indeed David, the king and prophet, who uttered these things, suffered none of them; but Jesus Christ stretched forth His hands, being crucified by the Jews speaking against Him, and denying that He was the Christ. And as the prophet spoke, they tormented Him, and set Him on the judgment-seat, and said, Judge us. And the expression, “They pierced my hands and my feet,” was used in reference to the nails of the cross which were fixed in His hands and feet. And after He was crucified they cast lots upon His vesture, and they that crucified Him parted it among them. And that these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate.³

And that it was predicted that our Christ should heal all diseases and raise the dead, hear what was said. There are these words: “At His coming the lame shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the stammerer shall be clear speaking: the blind shall see, and the lepers shall be cleansed; and the dead shall rise, and walk about.” And that He did those things, you can learn from the Acts of Pontius Pilate.⁴

Cornelius Tacitus wrote in his Annals 15.44 that Pontius Pilate had ordered Jesus to be put to death.⁵ Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian for the Romans, reported that Jesus did wonderful works and that He was killed on a cross by Pontius Pilate.⁶

Conclusion

In summary, we should note that Wikipedia quotes G. A. Williamson’s summary about Tiberius and the Roman Senate when he wrote:

“The early Christian Church’s view of Tiberius has been generally favorable. The 2nd-3rd century Christian apologist Tertullian said that Tiberius addressed the Senate with a request that Christ be recognized as deity, citing evidence of his miracles and his resurrection after the crucifixion. The early church historian Eusebius said that Pilate informed Tiberius of Christ’s resurrection. Tiberius is said to have taken Pilate’s report to the Senate.”⁷

This reveals that Pontius Pilate did send a report to the Roman Senate about Jesus Christ, and the result was that Tiberius believed Jesus Christ was God. It is highly likely that Tiberius had heard about Jesus during his three to four year ministry from other individuals and reports. We are told in Acts 26:24-29 that King Agrippa, king of Judah, also knew about Christ and that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian.

 

References:

1. Eusebius of Caesaria, “The Church History of Eusebius,” in Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise of Constantine, ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, trans. Arthur Cushman McGiffert, vol. 1, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1890), 105–106.
2. Tertullian, “The Apology,” in Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, trans. S. Thelwall, vol. 3, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 21–22.
3. Justin Martyr, “The First Apology of Justin,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 174–175.
4. Justin Martyr, “The First Apology of Justin,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 178–179.
5. Cornelius Tacitus. Annals 15.44.
6. Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.3.3.
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius

 

Suggested Links:

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Pontius Pilate — Wrote Jesus did miracles and was crucified.
Cornelius Tacitus — Said Christ was killed by Pontius Pilate
Flavius Josephus — Said Christ was a doer of wonderful works
Historical Quotes About Christ