Atomic Bible

Roman emperor during Paul's ministry

Claudius

Named in 11 verses of Acts, first in Acts 11:28.

ΚλαύδιοςClaudius

ΚαῖσαρCaesar

Also called Caesar.

About Claudius Written by AI

Claudius, also referred to as Caesar, was the Roman emperor during a significant portion of Paul's ministry. He is mentioned in several contexts throughout the book of Acts. In Acts 11:28, the prophet Agabus foretold a great famine that would occur during the reign of Claudius, which prompted the disciples to send relief to the believers in Judea. Acts 18:2 mentions that Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome, which led Aquila and Priscilla to move to Corinth, where they met Paul. In Acts 17:7, the accusers of Paul and Silas in Thessalonica claimed that they were acting against the decrees of Caesar, likely referring to Claudius. During Paul's trial in Acts 25-26, Claudius is mentioned as the emperor to whom Paul appealed for justice (Acts 25:8). In Acts 27:24, an angel told Paul that he must stand before Caesar, referring to Claudius or his successor. Finally, in Acts 28:19, Paul stated that he was compelled to appeal to Caesar because of the Jews' opposition. These references to Claudius provide historical context for the events in Acts and demonstrate the Roman Empire's significant influence on the early Christian church.

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

Lame. (1.) The fourth Roman emperor. He succeeded Caligula (A.D. 41). Though in general he treated the Jews, especially those in Asia and Egypt, with great indulgence, yet about the middle of his reign (A.D. 49) he banished them all from Rome (Acts 18:2). In this edict the Christians were included, as being, as was supposed, a sect of Jews. The Jews, however soon again returned to Rome.

During the reign of this emperor, several persecutions of the Christians by the Jews took place in the dominions of Herod Agrippa, in one of which the apostle James was “killed” (12:2). He died A.D. 54.

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(2.) Claudius Lysias, a Greek who, having obtained by purchase the privilege of Roman citizenship, took the name of Claudius (Acts 21:31-40; 22:28; 23:26).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. Acts 11:28

    One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)

  2. Acts 17:7

    and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

  3. Acts 18:2

    There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,

  4. Acts 25:8

    Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

  5. Acts 25:10

    Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.

  6. Acts 25:11

    If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

  7. Acts 25:12

    Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

  8. 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.”

  9. Acts 26:32

    And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

  10. Acts 27:24

    and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’

  11. Acts 28:19

    But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.