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emperor


A title for the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire. The synoptic Gospels record Jesus’s response to a question regarding payment of taxes to the emperor (Mark 12:13-17; Matt 22:15-22; Luke 20:20-26). In the book of Acts, Paul claims his right as a Roman citizen to present his case before the emperor (Acts 25:9-12). In 1Pet 2:17 Christians are urged to honor the emperor (Gk. basileus, “king”), but the book of Revelation appears to present the imperial power of Rome as a monster opposed to God and God’s people (Rev 13).

  • Powell, Mark Allan, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Abridged Edition. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.