Group

Romans

The rulers of Judea and the Mediterranean world in the time of Jesus and the early church.

DatesRome rules Judea from 63 BC (Judea became a Roman province in AD 6)
Primary regionMediterranean World
TimelineJesus the Messiah, Early Church
Key textsLuke 2:1–3; Luke 3:1; John 19:1–16; Acts 25–28; Romans 13:1–7; Revelation 13
Covered in classSession 4, Session 8, Session 11

What the sources say, and how sure we are

The text says
Luke places Jesus’ birth and ministry under Augustus and Tiberius. Pilate sentences Jesus to crucifixion, and Paul appeals to Caesar and is taken to Rome. Paul writes that rulers are God’s servants, while Revelation pictures the beast of empire demanding worship.Luke 2:1; Luke 3:1; John 19:12–16; Acts 25:11; Rom 13:1–7; Rev 13
Outside evidence
Pompey captured Jerusalem in 63 BC. Herod the Great ruled as Rome’s king from 37 to 4 BC, and prefects such as Pontius Pilate governed Judea after AD 6. Rome destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in AD 70, as shown on the Arch of Titus.Josephus, Antiquities 14–20; Pilate Stone; Arch of Titus
Debated
Persecution of Christians was local and uneven, and the first empire-wide edict came under Decius in AD 250. Scholars also debate how far the Gospels and Revelation reflect hostility to Rome, and how to read Romans 13 and Revelation 13 together.Pliny, Letters 10.96; Rom 13; Rev 13