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DATE |
ROME |
JUDEA |
NEW TESTAMENT |
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A.D.
9-12
15-25
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Augustus begins the ongoing practice of
having Procurators" over Judea. Strictly speaking, they are not governors
but procurers. Their primary function is to raise taxes, tribute and
keep the peace, acting as direct representatives of the emperor. As time
passes, their powers are expanded.
Tlberlua becomes co-regent with Augustus in 1 1 A.D. He is the son of the third wife of Augustus; Tiberius' father, an officer under Julius Caesar, had sided with Antony against Augustus. In 11 B.C., Augustus orders Tiberius to divorce his wife, whom he loves dearly, to marry Julia, the daughter of Augustus. He is adopted by Augustus in 4 A.D., setting the stage for succession, though Tiberius is not the first choice. He simply outlives the others. Augustus dies in 14 A.D. having established the Empire in relative peace and prosperity with "conservative" policies that will be continued by Tiberius, now 55 years old. The "Caesar" mentioned during the personal ministry of Jesus is Tiberius (Matthew 22:17-21; Mark 12:14-17; Luke 20:22 -25; 23:2; John 19:11-15). Tiberius has a sour and melancholy disposition. At 67 years of age, in 26, the year Pilate is sent to Judea and John and Jesus begin their public work, Tiberius retires to his palace on Capri, simply issuing orders to the "rubber-stamp" Senate. When his mother, Livia, the widow of Augustus, dies in 27, Tiberius ignores her funeral and stays on Capri. |
Coponius is appointed by Augustus as the first Imperial
Procurator of Judea, replacing the inept and wicked Archelaus who is
banished to Gaul where he dies some ten years later. An elderly
man, Coponius had supported Pompey in the civil war, but escaped
execution and regained favor Marcus Ambibulus replaces Coponius as Procurator. His Latin name meant "doubtful as to the way."
Annius Ruhrs becomes procurator of Judea. Undistinguished.
Gratus, a very energetic and ambitious man, replaces Rufus as procurator of Judea. Gratus is the first to be appointed by Tiberius. He is most noted for making frequent changes in the High Priesthood. He puts down two bands of robbers, killing the leader of one with his own hands; that leader had been a slave of Herod the Great.
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Jesus grows to his
teen years in Nazareth during this time. Luke 2:40-52. The story of the
twelve year-old Jesus confounding the scholars in Jerusalem occurs in 8
A.D.
Seeing that Tiberius reigns until 37 AD., he will be the Caesar throughout the ministry of Jesus, the establishment of the church, the persecutions by Saul and Saul's conversion, along with all other events of the period.
These are unknown years in the life of Jesus. We know nothing about him from 8 to 26 A.D., from the time he was twelve years old, in the Temple story, to his thirtieth year, except for the all inclusive statement of Luke 2:52.
The same year, John the Baptist begins his work, and a few months later, Jesus does the same. Luke 3:1, 23. |