Augustus
Summary
The first Roman emperor, during whose reign Jesus Christ was born, who issued the decree that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.
☩Rise to Power
Augustus was born Gaius Octavius in 63 BC, the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar through his mother Atia, who was the daughter of Caesar's younger sister Julia. He was only 19 years old when Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, but with remarkable political skill he navigated the intrigues and dangers of the dying republic. After the battle of Actium in 31 BC against Mark Antony and Cleopatra, he was left without a rival. In 27 BC, the Senate conferred upon him the title 'Augustus,' a term with sacred overtones that had previously been applied only to gods and consecrated objects, going as near to deification as Roman common sense would allow.
☩The Census and Christ's Birth
Augustus is mentioned by name only once in the Gospels: 'And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.' This enrollment—part of the imperial administration for taxation purposes—required persons to register in their ancestral cities. Thus Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David, traveled with Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be born there. The unknowing emperor's administrative decree became the instrument of divine providence.
☩Relation to Herod and His Successors
After Actium, Herod the Great, who had supported Antony, wisely submitted to the new ruler and was pardoned, confirmed in his kingdom, and even increased in power. Upon Herod's death in 4 BC, Augustus divided the kingdom among Herod's surviving sons—Archelaus receiving Judea (until his banishment), Herod Antipas receiving Galilee and Perea, and Philip receiving territories northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The Greek equivalent of Augustus (Sebastos) is used in Acts when referring to Nero as 'his Majesty the Emperor.'
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Augustus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Augustus," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Augustus," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Augustus," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).