Roman emperor during the birth of Jesus
Augustus
Named in 5 verses across 2 books, first in Luke 2:1.
ΑὔγουστοςAugustus
σεβαστόςAugustan
ΚαῖσαρCaesar
Also called Augustan, Caesar.
The name means “increased, augmented.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- People
- Italy
About Augustus Written by AI
Augustus, also referred to as Caesar, was the first Roman emperor and ruled during the time of Jesus' birth and early life. He is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. In Luke 2:1, a decree is issued by Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered, leading Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. Luke 3:1 mentions that John the Baptist began his ministry in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, indicating that Augustus had died by this time. In Acts, Paul appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen, referring to the emperor's authority. Augustus' reign was marked by a period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana. His rule had a significant impact on the political and social context of the New Testament world.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
The cognomen of the first Roman emperor, C. Julius Caesar Octavianus, during whose reign Christ was born (Luke 2:1). His decree that “all the world should be taxed” was the divinely ordered occasion of Jesus’ being born, according to prophecy (Micah 5:2), in Bethlehem. This name being simply a title meaning “majesty” or “venerable,” first given to him by the senate (B.C. 27), was borne by succeeding emperors. Before his death (A.D. 14) he associated Tiberius with him in the empire (Luke 3:1), by whom he was succeeded.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Luke 2:1
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
- Luke 3:1
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
- Acts 25:21
But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
- Acts 25:25
But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
- Acts 27:1
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.