A BOOK YOU CAN TRUST

Herod Antipas is known as the man who built the city of Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee.   He also made his residence there. Herod probably had John the Baptist beheaded in Tiberias.

Bible accounts also refer to notable  events of Roman times. Concerning the time of Jesus' birth, the Bible says:  "Now in those days a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered; (this first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria;) and all  people went traveling to be registered, each one to his own city." -Luke 2:1, 3.

Tactius and Jewish historian Josephus both refer to Quirinius. Confirmation that such registration occurred is found in the British man governor's edict preserved in the British Library.  It reads:  "Seeing that the time has come for the house to house census, it is necessary to compel all those who for any cause whatsoever are residing out of their districts to return to their own homes." 

The Bible also mentions "a great famine . . .in the time of [Roman Emperor] Claudius." (Acts 11:28) First-century historian Josephus corroborates this account.  He wrote:  "A famine did oppress them at that time, and many people died." 

Additionally, at Acts 18:2, the Bible states that "Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome."  Supporting this is a biography of Claudius, written about 121 C.E. by Roman historian Suetonius Claudius "banished from Rome all the Jews," says Suetonius, adding that because of their hostility towards the Christian, the Jews "were continually making disturbances." 

The Bible says that at about the time of the aforementioned famine, Herod Agrippa, clothed  "with royal raiment," gave a speech to an adoring public, who responded :  "A god's voice, and not a man's!' Thereafter, the Bible states, Agrippa, "became eaten up with worms and expired." (Acts 12:21-23) Josephus also recorded this event, adding a few details. He wrote that Agrippa gave his speech in "a garment made wholly of silver."  He also said that 'a severe pain arose in Agrippa's belly, and began in a most violent manner.'  He died five days later, said Josephus. 

Next time: A BOOK YOU CAN TRUST -Trustworthy Prophecy

From the AWAKE! magazine, 2011