Caesar, (Graecized Καῖσαρ; hence the Germ. title Kaiser, Russian Czar), a name assumed by or conferred upon all the Roman emperors after Julius Caesar (who is said to have been so named from his having been born by a surgical operation, ccEsus). In this way It became a sort of title, like Pharaoh, and, as such, is usually applied to the emperors in the New Testament, as the sovereign of Judaea (John 19:15; Acts 17:7), without their distinctive proper names. SEE AUGUSTUS. It was to him that the Jews paid tribute (Matthew 22:17; Luke 20:22; 23:2), and to him that such Jews as were cives Romani had the right of appeal (Acts 25:11; 26:32; 28:19); in which cise, if their cause was a criminal one, they were sent to Rome (Acts 25:12,21; comp. Pliny, Epp. 10:97), where was the court of the emperor (Philippians 4:22). The Caesars mentioned in the New Testament are Augustus (Luke 2:1), Tiberius (Luke 3:1; 20:22), Claudius (Acts 11:28), Nero (Acts 25:8); Caligula, who succeeded Tiberius, is not mentioned. See each name. On Philippians 4:22, SEE HOUSEHOLD.
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Author: McClintock and Strong Cyclopedia
Keywords: Caesar
Bible reference(s): Acts 11:28, Acts 17:7, Acts 25:11, Acts 26:32, Acts 28:19, John 19:15, Luke 2:1, Luke 20:22, Luke 23:2, Luke 3:1, Matthew 22:17, Philippians 4:22
Source: John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.