Tiberius Caesar
Morrish Bible Dictionary [1]
Son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia, his name in full being the same as his father's. He was step-son of Augustus, and was the second emperor of Rome. There is only an incidental reference to him under this name in the N.T. the fifteenth year of his reign being the time when John the Baptist began his ministry. Luke 3:1 . His reign is put down as A.D. 14-37, but there is evidence that he reigned two or three years with Augustus, and the above 'fifteenth year' is reckoned from the earlier date. By comparing this with Luke 3:22,23 , it will be seen that it could not have been later than A.D. 25 or 26; for Christ was born four years before the Era A.D., and now He 'began to be about 30 years old.' Tiberius was a most profligate man, and his government was despotic and cruel.
Holman Bible Dictionary [2]
Tiberius was 54 when he ascended to the throne. He was a republican at heart, so he must have felt very uncomfortable with the system of government which Augustus left him. He had a deep respect for the Senate, and he took great pains to preserve the dignity of that body. Yet even Tiberius came to realize that it was too late to make the Senate an equal partner in government.
During the reign of Tiberius, Jesus began His ministry; and He was crucified. This event was probably not noted at the emperor's court. Tiberius died in A.D. 37. He was 79 years old. See Rome.
Gary Poulton
Easton's Bible Dictionary [3]
Luke 3:1 Matthew 22:17,21 Mark 12:14,16,17 Luke 20:22,24,25 23:2 John 19:12,15
