Roman in the Bible

Meaning: strong; powerful

Exact Match

After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, [I saw] a fourth beast (the Roman Empire), terrible and extremely strong; and it had huge iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns (ten kings).

Verse ConceptsIronFractions, One FourthTen ThingsStrength Of AnimalsHorns In AllegoryTeethStampingIron ObjectsResidueDifferent ThingsFourthFear And AnimalsFour Beasts Of Daniel

For ships of Cyprus [in Roman hands] will come against him; therefore he will be discouraged and turn back [to Israel] and carry out his rage against the holy covenant and take action; so he will return and show favoritism toward those [Jews] who abandon (break) the holy covenant [with God].

Verse ConceptsAbandonmentSeafaringShipsShips For AttackingBreaking The CovenantAngry PeopleCovenant Made At Sinaiventing

When He got back to Capernaum, a Roman military captain came up to Him and kept begging Him,

Verse ConceptsRankArmies, Roman

"Therefore, when you see that disgusting thing which causes total destruction [i.e., the Roman armies. See Luke 21:20], which Daniel the prophet spoke about [Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11], standing in the sacred place [i.e., Jerusalem and especially the Temple area], (let the reader understand [what is meant by this]),

Verse ConceptsAbominationsReadingHoliness, As Set Apart For GodUnderstandingAbomination Of DesolationSacrilegeNamed Prophets Of The LordThis GenerationImage Of The BeastOlivet Discourseend times prophecymath

So, they chained Him, led Him away and turned Him over to Pilate, the [Roman] governor.

Verse ConceptsGovernorsHanding Over ChristTying Up

Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Roman Governor. "Are you the King of the Jews?" asked the Governor. "It is true," answered Jesus.

Verse ConceptsClaimsJews, TheKingship, DivineStandingTreasonInterrogatingAssentingChrist Is King Of Israel

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.

Verse ConceptsSoldiersMustering TroopsRoyal HousesSoldiers Treatment Of Christ

The Roman Captain, and the men with him who were watching Jesus, on seeing the earthquake and all that was happening, became greatly frightened and exclaimed: "This must indeed have been God's Son!"

Verse ConceptsearthquakesCenturionCrucifixion, Of ChristGuardsMan Keeping WatchWitnessing, Importance OfFear, Of UnknownArmies, RomanMessianic Titles, Son Of GodSaid To Be The ChristWitnessingJesus Deathcrucifixion

"But when you see that disgusting thing that causes total destruction [i.e., the Roman army. See Luke 21:20] standing where it ought not to be [i.e., surrounding the besieged city of Jerusalem], (let the reader understand [what is meant by this]), then those of you in Judea are to run away into the [nearby] mountains.

Verse ConceptsAbominationsReadingSafetyUnderstandingThe Prophecy Towards JerusalemEscaping To Mountains

As soon as it was morning the leading priests, along with the [Jewish] elders and experts in the law of Moses and the entire Council, held a conference. Then they tied Jesus up, led Him away and turned Him over to Pilate [the Roman governor].

Verse Conceptsenemies, of Jesus Christelders, as community leadersBad Decision Making ExamplesRopesTeachers Of The LawCommitteesHanding Over ChristOpposition To Christ From ScribesThe Chief Priests ConvenedTying Up

The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they *called together the whole Roman cohort.

Verse ConceptsMustering TroopsRoyal HousesSoldiers Treatment Of Christ

The Roman Officer, who was standing facing Jesus, on seeing the way in which he expired, exclaimed: "This man must indeed have been 'God's Son'!"

Verse ConceptsCenturionWitnessing, Importance OfMessianic Titles, Son Of GodThe CrossJesus Death

Joseph, from Arimathea, a highly respected member of the [Jewish] Council, who was expecting the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate [i.e., the Roman appointed governor] and asked [him] for the body of Jesus.

Verse ConceptsBoldness, To PeopleKingdom Of God, Coming OfSanhedrinWaitingWaiting On GodBoldness Examples OfMessianic HopeJesus CorpseNot DiscouragedThose Who Wait For Godrisk

There was a Roman captain who had a slave that was very dear to him, and he was sick and at the point of death,

Verse ConceptsdiseasesMastersEmployers, Good ExamplesNearness Of DeathDeath Looms NearPrecious

Now there were some there at that very time who told Jesus about some people from Galilee whose blood Pilate [the Roman governor] had mixed with their sacrifices [i.e., he had them murdered while they were offering their sacrifices].

Verse ConceptsBlood Of SacrificesAnti semitismDesecration

It will be too bad for pregnant women and those who are nursing [babies] in those days! For there will be great distress in this land [i.e., Judea, and especially Jerusalem], and raging anger [will be shown] against these people [i.e., by the Roman armies].

Verse ConceptsBreasts, Nursing MothersWombWoeHarming Pregnant WomenSigns Of The TimesMothersEnd Of DaysMotherhoodStaying Strong During Hard TimesHaving A BabyThe Rapturebabychildbearing

Then He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So, they went and saw where He was staying and they stayed with Him that day. It was about ten o'clock in the morning. [Note: Hour designations in this book are being calculated by Roman time, but this would have been

Verse ConceptsHourAdventureCalling, Of IndividualsComing To ChristChrist With People On EarthStaying Temporarily

After these things happened Jesus went across to the east side of Lake Galilee, also called Lake Tiberias. [Note: This lake also bore a name honoring the Roman Emperor Tiberias].

Verse ConceptsSeaCrossing To The Other SideRelationships And Datinglakes

So Judas got together the Roman garrison and some attendants from the high priests and Pharisees, and went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Verse ConceptsChief priestsSoldiersWeaponsSoldiers Treatment Of ChristThe Chief Priests Condemning Christ

So, the detachment of [Roman] soldiers, their commanding officer and the Jewish [Temple] guards arrested Jesus and tied Him up.

Verse ConceptsArrestingRopesArresting ChristSoldiers Treatment Of ChristTying Up

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor's residence. (Now it was very early morning.) They did not go into the governor's residence so they would not be ceremonially defiled, but could eat the Passover meal.

Verse ConceptsPassover lambExclusivenessGovernorsHigh Priest, In NtPalacesReligionArmies, RomanRoyal Houses

[They said this] so that the words Jesus had spoken would be fulfilled, regarding the kind of death He would die. [Note: Jesus had predicted he would be "lifted up," indicating a Roman crucifixion. See 12:32-33].

Verse ConceptsForetelling Christ's DeathMan's Words Fulfilled

Now it was about six o'clock in the morning [Note: This was according to Roman time, but if Jewish time were meant, it would have been

Verse ConceptsPreparing Food

this title, therefore, read many of the Jews, because the place was nigh to the city where Jesus was crucified, and it was having been written in Hebrew, in Greek, in Roman.

Verse ConceptsLanguagesLiteracyAramaic LanguageReading Other Mattercrucifixion

So, when the [Roman] soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His clothing and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took His seamless coat [i.e., which was left over], woven from top [to bottom] in one piece,

Verse ConceptsClothBody Of Christ, Physical DeathCrucifixion, Of ChristDressInner GarmentsDividing PlunderGarmentscrucifixion

Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.

Verse ConceptsDuring One NightWeights Of Other Thingsweight

Some of us are Parthians, some Medes, some Elamites; and some of us live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Roman Asia,

Verse ConceptsProvinces

and Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya along Cyrene, and those Roman aliens, including Jews and proselytes,

Verse ConceptsLanguages Mentioned In ScriptureProselytes

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob --- the God of our forefathers --- has highly honored His servant Jesus, whom you people turned over [to the Roman authorities] and denied [Him freedom] in the presence of [governor] Pilate, who had already decided to release Him.

Verse Conceptsenemies, of Jesus ChristJacob, The PatriarchMoses, Significance OfPeter, Preacher And TeacherRenunciationHanding Over ChristPeople Set Free By People

[Then, at the hands of the Roman authorities] you killed the Prince of [never ending] life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we [apostles] were [reliable] witnesses of it.

Verse ConceptsApostles, Function In Early Churchevangelism, nature ofLife, HumanPeter, Preacher And TeacherApostles, Duties OfChrist The BeginningContemporary Witness To ChristGod Raising ChristChrist Was KilledChrist's Life

After him, at the time of the enrollment for the Roman tax, Judas the Galilean appeared and influenced people to desert and follow him, but he too perished and all his followers were scattered.

Verse ConceptsCensusHistoryPeople Following PeopleScattering Followers

But some members of the Synagogue known as that of Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;

Verse ConceptsAlexandria The CityConfrontationMissionaries, Support ForSynagogueGod, Impartiality OfFalse Teachers, Examples OfDisputes

About three o'clock one afternoon [Note: This is based on Jewish time calculations; if Roman time were employed, it would have been

Verse ConceptsAngel of the LordCommunicationecstasyVisions And Dreams In Scripture3 PmThose Who Saw Visions

AM if calculating by Roman time], to the top of the house to pray [Note: The roofs of houses were flat areas, often used for resting, meals, prayer, etc.].

Verse ConceptsLeatherArts And Crafts, Types ofOccupationsSeashores

Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the time of Claudius.

Verse ConceptsFamine, Examples OfCaesarRoman EmperorsPredicting The Future

He was with a very intelligent magistrate, [a Roman official named] Sergius Paulus. This man called for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the message of God.

Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofDerision

They next went through the Phrygian district of Galatia, but were restrained by the Holy Spirit from delivering the Message in Roman Asia.

Verse Conceptsevangelists, ministry ofInspiration Of The Holy Spirit, Purpose OfProvincesThe Holy Spirit In The ChurchLed By The SpiritMissionaries

and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for a number of days.

Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofProvinces

But Paul said to them, “They beat us in public without a trial, although we are Roman citizens, and threw us in jail. And now are they going to smuggle us out secretly? Certainly not! On the contrary, let them come themselves and escort us out!”

Verse ConceptsApologizingempiresPersecution, Forms OfPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRoman CitizensBeating BelieversSpreading StoriesAvoiding SecrecyBringing People Out Of Other PlacesNo JusticeCitizenstrailsjail

Then the police reported these words to the magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

Jason has welcomed them and [now] all of them [i.e., Paul, Silas, Jason and the others] are going against the [Roman] laws of Caesar by saying that someone else is [our] king; that Jesus is [king]!"

Verse ConceptsdefianceKingship, DivineTreasonFalse Accusations, Examples OfWelcoming BelieversDifferent Personacting

There he met a certain Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, [in northern Asia Minor] who, with his wife Priscilla, had recently come from Rome, because Claudius [the Roman Emperor] had ordered all Jews out of that city. Paul met this couple

Verse Conceptsevangelism, motivation forempiresCaesarCommands, in NTPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRefugeesGood Wives ExamplesAquilaRoman EmperorsGroups Sent Away

Then, all of them [Note: This "all" could refer to the Greeks, the Jews or the Roman officers. Since the text does not specify, it seems most reasonable to suggest it was the Romans] grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the court of justice. But Gallio showed no interest in the whole affair.

Verse ConceptsFloggingBeating Believers

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland districts of Roman Asia, and went to Ephesus. There he found some disciples, of whom he asked:

Verse ConceptsFindingRoadsflexibility

This went on for two years, so that all who lived in Roman Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the Lord's Message.

Verse ConceptsLordship, Human And DivineWordsProvincesTwo YearsThe Gospel To Jew And Gentilespace

So he sent to Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, while he himself stayed for some time longer in Roman Asia.

Verse ConceptsStaying PutServing PeoplePeople Sending People

And you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but in almost the whole of Roman Asia, this Paul has convinced and won over great numbers of people, by his assertion that those Gods which are made by hands are not Gods at all.

Verse ConceptsFalse ReligionPolytheism

So that not only is this business of ours likely to fall into discredit, but there is the further danger that the Temple of the great Goddess Artemis will be thought nothing of, and that she herself will be deprived of her splendor--though all Roman Asia and the whole world worship her."

Verse ConceptsCovetousness, Example OfAll NationsWorshipping Material ThingsDeposing

If Demetrius therefore, and the artificers that are with him, have a charge against any one, the law-courts are open, and there are Roman proconsuls likewise: let them implead one another.

Verse ConceptsProconsulCourt SessionsPeople Accusing People

He was accompanied by Sopater the son of Pyrrhus, of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, as well as by Tychicus and Trophimus of Roman Asia.

For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so as to avoid spending much time in Roman Asia. He was making haste to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the Festival at the close of the Harvest.

Verse ConceptseagernessPentecostHasty ActionFeast Of Weeks [Pentecost]sailing

And, when they came, he spoke to them as follows: "You know well the life that I always led among you from the very first day that I set foot in Roman Asia,

Verse ConceptsSelf ConfidenceMannersFirst Among The GentilesPeople With General Knowledge

But, just as the seven days were drawing to a close, the Jews from Roman Asia caught sight of Paul in the Temple, and caused great excitement among all the people present, by seizing Paul and shouting:

Verse ConceptsInciting To EvilSeven DaysDisciples In The TempleSeven Days For Legal Purposes

While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

Verse ConceptsConfusion, Examples OfArmies, RomanAttempting To Kill Specific PeopleChiliarchs

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.

Verse ConceptsCivil LibertyExpensiveCitizensReligious Freedomserenity

Straightway, therefore, they who were about to put him to the test, withdrew from him; and, even the captain, was struck with fear, when he found out he was, a Roman, and because, him, he had bound.

Verse ConceptsChainsTying UpCitizens

This man, having been apprehended by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, I went down with the troop, and rescued; having learned that he was, a Roman.

Verse ConceptsRoman CitizensRescueIndividuals Saving Others

having been informed he was a Roman, I had him brought before their Sanhedrim, to hear what crime they laid to his charge.

For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes!

Verse ConceptsHeresiesPersecution, Forms OfSectsFalse Accusations, Examples OfDissension

There were, however, some Jews from Roman Asia who ought to have been here before you, and to have made any charge that they may have against me--

Verse ConceptsPeople Accusing People

I answered them that it was not the Roman custom to give up anyone for punishment until the accused met his accusers face to face and had an opportunity to defend himself against their accusations.

Verse ConceptsCustomContact With PeopleMan Defending

We went on board a ship from Adramyttium, which was on the point of sailing to the ports along the coast of Roman Asia, and put to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.

Verse ConceptsShipsThe NavySea Travel

There the Roman Officer found an Alexandrian ship on her way to Italy, and put us on board of her.

Verse ConceptsAlexandria The CityShipsSea Travel

The Roman Officer, however, was more influenced by the captain and the owner than by what was said by Paul.

Verse ConceptsAdvice, Rejecting Good Adviceadvisers

When Paul said to the Roman Officer and his men: "Unless the sailors remain on board, you cannot be saved."

Verse ConceptsStaying PutThose Not SavedBeing Savedsailingjumping

But the Roman Officer, anxious to save Paul, prevented their carrying out their intention, and ordered that those who could swim should be the first to jump into the sea and try to reach the shore;

Verse ConceptsRankSwimmingPeople JumpingRestraints From Killing

Or, do you not know, brothers, (I am talking to people who know how law works) that the law has authority over a person only as long as he lives? [Note: It is not clear whether this refers to Roman law or the law of Moses].

Verse ConceptsChristians, Names OfSinUnder The LawWhilst Alive

but by all the churches among the Gentiles. Salute likewise the church that meets in their home. Salute Epaenetus, my dearly beloved, the first man in Roman Asia to believe in Christ.

Verse ConceptsChristiansChurchHousesProperty, HousesChurch, Description OfConverts To ChristianityPeople ConvertedFirst Among The GentilesGoing To Church

But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia, for I am planning to go through Macedonia [Note: This was the Roman province of northern Greece].

Verse ConceptsPeople Visiting

The Churches in Roman Asia send you their greetings. Aquila and Prisca and the Church that meets at their house send you many Christian greetings.

Verse ConceptsAssemblyChurchHospitality, Examples OfHousesProperty, HousesWomenChurch, Examples Of

We want you, Brothers, to know that, in the troubles which befell us in Roman Asia, we were burdened altogether beyond our strength, so much so that we even despaired of life.

Verse ConceptsAgony, DescriptionEnjoyment, Lack OfHope, Results Of Its AbsenceDepression, CausesProvincesHeavy BurdensLife DespisedAfflictionsAnxiety And StressDespairHardshipBeing Overwhelmedignoranceexperiencepressureoverwhelmed

Three times I have been beaten with Roman rods, once I have been stoned, three times I have been shipwrecked, once for full four and twenty hours I was floating on the open sea.

Verse ConceptsPersecution, Forms OfSeafaringStoningShipwrecksOne DayBeating BelieversActing Three TimesIn The Heart Of The Sea

came to you. This Gospel is [now] also producing fruit all over the world [i.e., throughout the Roman Empire] and growing [in its influence], just as it is doing among you people also, since the day you [first] heard and understood God's unearned favor in [all its] truth.

Verse ConceptsGrowthResponseMissionary WorkGrowth In ProclamationBeginning Of SalvationFruitful LabourThe Truth Of The GospelThe Gospel WorldwideThe Grace Of GodUnderstanding God's WordGod's GraceGrowingSpreading The GospelChange And Growth

You know that everyone here who belongs to the Roman province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Verse ConceptsBacksliding, Christian ExamplesForsaking God, Illustrated ByUnfaithfulness, To PeopleProvincesPeople Abandoning Peopleapostasy

At my first defense [Note: Paul here refers to his initial hearing before the Roman court] no one supported me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

Verse ConceptsFriendlessnessBeing ForsakenDesertionLonelinessForsaking All OthersSelf DefenceReckoningPeople Abandoning PeopleMan DefendingSupport

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Roman Asia, and Bithynia,

Verse ConceptsChristiansdispersion, theLettersPeter, The ApostlePeter, Preacher And TeacherPilgrimsThe Church ScatteredReckoned As ForeignersAlienspeterimpulsiveness

From John to the seven churches that are in Asia the Roman Province. Grace to you, and peace from Him that is and was and is to be, and from the Seven Spirits that are before his throne,

Verse ConceptsSevenSpiritsNames And Titles For The Holy SpiritProvincesThe Existence Of GodSeven PeopleSeven SpiritsGod In Three PersonsGrace Be To YouThe Fact Of His ComingGoing To Church

Thematic Bible



Now Jesus stood in front of the governor [i.e., Pilate], who asked Him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "You have said so."

After staying not more than eight or ten [more] days [there in Jerusalem], Festus went down to Caesarea and the following day he ordered Paul to appear before him as he sat in his court of justice.


Now it was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was ruler of Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler of the regions of Ituraea and Trachonitus [Note: These two men were sons of Herod the Great (See Matt. 2:1) and ruled over provinces east of the Jordan River] and Lysanias was ruler of Abilene [Note: This was a province just north of the two previously mentioned ones].


Then the Pharisees conspired as to how they could trap Jesus by what He said. So, they sent their disciples, [along] with the Herodians to Him [Note: These were members of a political party favoring King Herod], saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and that you teach the truth about God's way. You do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone or allow the position of any person to influence you. So, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" read more.
But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, "Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for paying taxes." And they brought to Him a coin [Note: This coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994]. He said to them, "Whose image and inscription are on this coin?" They answered Him, "Caesar's." Then He replied, "Pay to Caesar whatever belongs to Caesar and pay to God whatever belongs to God." And when they heard this, they marveled; then left Him and went away.

Then the Pharisees sent certain ones of their number [See Matt. 22:15-16] along with the Herodians [Note: This refers to members of a political party favoring King Herod] to attempt to trap Him by what He said. And when they arrived, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and [that you] do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone. For you do not allow [the position of] any person to influence you, but teach the truth about God's way. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay it, or should we not pay it?" But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, "Bring me the coin so I can see it." [Note: The amount of this coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994]. read more.
So, they brought it to Him and He said to them, "Whose image and inscription [are on this coin]?" And they answered Him, "Caesar's." Then Jesus replied to them, "Pay to Caesar whatever belongs to Caesar and pay to God whatever belongs to God." And they greatly marveled at Him.


Later on another man, named Judas of Galilee, appeared during the census [Note: The time and circumstances of this census were probably known to the original readers], and led [a group of] people away after him, but he also was killed and all of his followers were scattered.

Now there were some there at that very time who told Jesus about some people from Galilee whose blood Pilate [the Roman governor] had mixed with their sacrifices [i.e., he had them murdered while they were offering their sacrifices].


Then some tax collectors came to him to be immersed and asked him, "Teacher, what must we do [i.e., to demonstrate our repentance]?"

Then after these things happened, Jesus went out [i.e., probably walking along a street] and saw a publican [Note: This was a person with a bad reputation for dishonest tax collecting activities] named Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14] sitting at the toll booth [collecting taxes] and said, "Become my follower."


Show me the coin used for paying taxes." And they brought to Him a coin [Note: This coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994]. He said to them, "Whose image and inscription are on this coin?"


And everyone went to register in his own home town. So, Joseph also went from the Galilean town of Nazareth to David's town, which was the Judean town of Bethlehem, because he was among the descendants and family of David. [He went] to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him and who was pregnant [at the time].


They began bringing accusations against Him, saying, "We discovered this man misleading the people of our nation and telling them not to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that he himself was the Messiah, a king!"


This was the first registration made while Quirinius was governor of Syria.


Now it happened in those days that a decree was sent out from Caesar Augustus [the Emperor of the Roman Empire] requiring [people from] the whole empire to be registered [i.e., for taxation purposes].