134 Tiberius Caesar

Museum Description: Marble Head of the Emperor Tiberius

Room: 70/Case: None/Number: 1812.6-15.2

Scripture: John 19:15

Caesar Augustus’ successor was his stepson Tiberius.  The prophecy in Daniel 11:21 records that he would be a 'despised one'.  We can see how this might have been true just looking at the expression on his face!  One quote about him reads: “Tiberius did many other wicked deeds under the pretext of reforming public morals—but in reality it was to gratify his lust for seeing people suffer”.  Tiberius is important as he was the Caesar ruling at the time Jesus was preaching.  Luke 3:1 says Jesus was baptised in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius.  This began in 14 C.E., so we can calculate that Jesus became the Messiah in 29 C.E., exactly at the time foretold in Daniel’s prophecy of the 'seventy weeks'.  He could also have played a part in Jesus’ death.  He strictly enforced the law of 'laesa majestas' (injured majesty).  In addition to seditious acts, merely libellous words against the emperor would be a death sentence.  Presumably on the strength of this law, the Jews pressured Pontius Pilate to have Jesus killed.