THOSE IN POSITIONS OF POWER IN ROME
DURING THE TIME OF JESUS
LUKE 3: 1, 2
It may be helpful to acquaint ourselves to those in positions of power in Rome during the time of Jesus. It is good to be able to know a little about the main characters and what motivated them.
1) Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Tachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
2) Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
COMMENTARY
TIBERIUS CAESAR
First of all, let me say that Rome was an empire at this time, not just a city. Tiberius was head of the entire empire; he was the emperor.
Tiberius Caesar's parents, Tiberius Claudius Nero (Father) and Livia Drusilla (Mother) divorced when he was four years old. His mother later married Rome's first emperor, Augustus Caesar. Augustus adopted Tiberius. Augustus Caesar didn't want Tiberius to become emperor. You can read more about him at https://rome.us/roman-emperors/tiberuis.html
PONTIUS PILATE
photo courtesy of Evidence for the Bible
Pontius Pilate was the governor of the Roman Province of Judaea under the rule of the Emperor Tiberius.
The Roman Empire was a country, if you will and Judaea was a Province, much like a state.
HEROD, TETRIARCH OF GALILEE
The Province of Judaea was then divided into four areas, maybe comparable to counties in the United States. Herod was the head of the area of Galilee. This is Herod the Great. His official title was "Client King". Client kings were considered allies of Rome and were expected to provide troops and resources to the Roman Empire in times of war. In return, they were allowed to retain their own rule and govern their people. They were expected to show loyalty and obedience to the Roman Empire.
ANNAS
Annas was perhaps the most powerful Sadducee in the first century. He was a descendent of Aaron. And, like other Sadducees, only recognized the five books of Moses to be authoritative. The Sadducees believed only in the present and worked to promote themselves and a life of luxury. They did not believe in the resurrection. He was appointed by Rome to the position of Chief Priest (head of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious governing body). Nonetheless, the Jewish people considered him to be priest by divine law.
Caiaphas
Caiaphas was the son in law of Annas and became the Chief Priest when Annas stepped down. He was head of the Sanhedrin by name only because Annas retained the power. Like Annas, he was also a Sadducee.
Understand this: there is a resurrection and there will be a rapture. Do you believe? Click here to learn more about how you can join us in the rapture if Jesus doesn't tarry: https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.
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