Tiberius Caesar

Tiberius Caesar’s Background

Tiberius Caesar was a Roman emperor  from 14-37 A.D. when Jesus Christ lived, ministered in Galilee, Judah, and the surrounding area, and then was crucified (A.D. 29-33). He eventually believed that Jesus was God. He had read the official reports from Pontius Pilate about Jesus Christ. Eusebius of Caesaria and Tertullian report that he asked the Roman Senate to declare Him to be God.

Tiberius Caesar’s Beliefs About Jesus Christ

Eusebius of Caesaria wrote, “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.” – Eusebius of Caesaria, “The Church History of Eusebius”

Tertuallian states that Tiberius, “. . . 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.” – Tertullian, “The Apology.”

Conclusion

This reference reveals several key things:

  1. Tiberius read Pontius Pilate’s reports about Jesus Christ.
  2. He believed that Jesus Christ was God.
  3. He asked the Roman Senate to recognize Christ as God.
  4. The Roman Senate refused because they “had not given the approval itself.”

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.