THE "ONE WHO IS TO BE DESPISED"

Less than a month after Augustus' death, the Roman Senate named 54-year-old Tiberius emperor. Tiberius lived and ruled until March 37 C.E. Hence, he was the emperor of Rome for the duration of Jesus' public ministry. 

As an emperor, Tiberius had both virtues and vices. Among his virtues was a reluctance to spend money on luxuries. As a  result, the empire prospered and he had funds to assist in recovery from disasters and bad times.  To his credit, Tiberius  viewed himself as but a man, declined many honorary titles, and generally directed emperor worship to Augustus rather than to himself.  He did not name  a calendar month after himself as Augustus and Julius Caesar had done for themselves, nor did he allow others to honor him in that way.

Tiberius' vices, however, exceeded his virtues.  He was extremely suspicious and hypocritical in his dealings with others, and his reign abounded with ordered killings-man y of his former friends being counted among the victims. He extended the law of lese-majeste (injured majesty) to include, in addition to seditious acts, merely libelous words against his own person.  Presumably on the strength of this law, the Jews pressured Roman Governor Pontius Pilate to have Jesus killed. -John 19:12-16. 

Tiberius concentrated the Praetorial Guard in the proximity of Rome by constructing fortified barracks north of the walls of the city.  The Guard's presence intimidated the Roman Senate, which was a threat to his power, and kept any unruliness of the people in check. Tiberius also encouraged the informer system, and terror marked the latter part of his rule.

At the time of his death, Tiberius was considered to be a tyrant. When he died, the Romans rejoiced and the Senate refused to deify him. For these reasons and others, we see in Tiberius a fulfillment of the prophecy saying that "one who is to be despised" would arise as "the king of the north." -Daniel 11:15, 21.

Next time: ZENOBIA-THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF PALMYRA

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999