Reference: Caesar

Originally the surname of the Julian family at Rome. After being dignified in the person of Julias Caesar, it became the usual appellation of those of his family who ascended the throne. The last of these was Nero, but the name was still retained by his successors as a sort of title belonging to the imperial dignity. The emperors alluded to by this title in the New Testament, are Augustus, Lu 2:1; Tiberius, Lu 3:1; 20:22; Claudius, Ac 11:28; and Nero, Ac 25:8; Php 4:22. Caligula, who succeeded Tiberius, is not mentioned.

the title assumed by the Roman emperors after Julius Caesar. In the New Testament this title is given to various emperors as sovereigns of Judaea without their accompanying distinctive proper names (Joh 19:15; Ac 17:7). The Jews paid tribute to Caesar (Mt 22:17), and all Roman citizens had the right of appeal to him (Ac 25:11). The Caesars referred to in the New Testament are Augustus (Lu 2:1), Tiberius (Lu 3:1; 20:22), Claudius (Ac 11:28), and Nero (Ac 25:8; Php 4:22).

The common title of the successive Roman emperors, taken from Julius Caesar. In the New Testament Augustus in Lu 2:1, Tiberius in Lu 3:1, Claudius in Ac 11:28, Nero in Ac 25:11, etc. Roman citizens as Paul had the right of "appeal to Caesar," and in criminal cases were sent for judgment to Rome, where was the emperor's court (Php 4:22; compare Php 1:13); Nero is the emperor meant. John's exile to Patmos (Re 1:9) was probably in Domitian's reign. The current coin bore Caesar's image, the argument which Jesus used to show Caesar could claim tribute (Mt 22:17, etc.). Though Caesar did not call himself "king," the Jews did (Joh 19:15), in which respect Josephus (B. J. 5:2, section 2) confirms the gospel undesignedly.

This is the cognomen or surname of the gens Julia, which was borne, for example, by its most illustrious representative, Caius Julius C

Cae'sar

The common title given to succeeding Roman emperors, adopted from the name of Julius Caesar. Mt 22:17,21; Mr 12:14,16-17; Lu 2:1; Joh 19:12,15; Ac 25:8,21; Php 4:22; etc. The history of the New Testament fell under the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.

Cae'sar,

always in the New Testament the Roman emperor, the sovereign of Judea.

Joh 19:12,15; Ac 17:7

CAESAR, a title borne by all the Roman emperors till the destruction of the empire. It took its rise from the surname of the first emperor, Caius Julius Caesar; and this title, by a decree of the senate, all the succeeding emperors were to bear. In Scripture, the reigning emperor is generally mentioned by the name of Caesar, without expressing any other distinction: so in Mt 22:21," Render unto Caesar," &c, Tiberius is meant; and in Ac 25:10, "I appeal unto Caesar," Nero is intended.