Window into the Bible

Born: 15 December 37 AD

Died: 9 June 68 AD

Reign: 54 AD – 68 AD

 

 

In about 62 AD, the Apostle Paul is arrested in Jerusalem and held in Prison at Caesarea where he stands trial. During the trial, as a Roman citizen, he makes an appeal to have Caesar hear his case.

 

Acts 25:10-12

Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

 

The Caesar to whom Paul appealed was Nero. After his shipwreck plagued journey to Rome, tradition tells us that Paul did get his trial and was released from prison.

 

The emperor Nero is also infamous for his connection to a great fire that swept through Rome in 64 AD. It was believed that Nero himself started the fire in order to clear land to build himself a luxurious palace. Historians report that rather than being concerned about the fire, Nero instead “fiddled as Rome burned”

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In the aftermath of the great fire Nero allegedly deflected attention from himself by putting blame for the fire on the Christians, whose area of the city was unaffected by the fire. This led to an intense localised persecution of Christians in Rome.

 

Several early writers including the Church historian Eusebius tell us that it was toward the end of Nero’s reign, during this time of persecution, that the apostles Peter and Paul were both arrested, imprisonment and then executed for their faith. Paul seems to be quite aware of his upcoming martyrdom when he writes to his friend Timothy.

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

 

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