Lexical Summary Klaudios: Claudius Original Word: Κλαύδιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Claudius. Of Latin origin; Claudius, the name of two Romans -- Claudius. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Latin origin Definition Claudius, the name of an Emperor, also an army officer NASB Translation Claudius (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2804: ΚλαύδιοςΚλαύδιος, Κλαυδίου, ὁ, Claudius. 1. Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, the Roman emperor, who came into power 2. Claudius Lysias, a Roman military tribune: Acts 23:26 (see B. D. American edition, under the word Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus reigned as the fourth emperor of Rome from A.D. 41 to 54. Rising to power after the assassination of Caligula, Claudius combined personal scholarly interests with a pragmatic administrative style. His policies affected Judea and the wider Mediterranean world in tangible ways, including economic relief measures, large‐scale public works, and notable edicts that shaped the environment of the first-century Church. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Acts 11:28 — A Spirit-inspired prophecy by Agabus foretold “a great famine” that occurred “during the reign of Claudius.” Claudius Caesar and the Early Church The famine mentioned in Acts 11:28 is corroborated by Josephus (Antiquities 20.2.5) and Roman historians who trace severe food shortages in Egypt, Judea, and elsewhere between A.D. 44 and 48. The Church at Antioch responded by sending relief to believers in Judea (Acts 11:29–30), demonstrating that prophetic insight led to concrete ministry marked by generosity and unity across ethnic lines. The imperial expulsion of Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2) likely dates to A.D. 49 and is echoed by Suetonius, who wrote that Claudius “expelled the Jews from Rome because they were constantly rioting at the instigation of Chrestus.” Though Suetonius misunderstood “Christus,” his testimony shows that proclaiming Jesus was already causing social upheaval in the empire’s capital. God used the decree to bring Aquila and Priscilla into Paul’s path, knitting together a vital ministry team that later strengthened churches from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18, 1 Corinthians 16:19). Claudius Lysias and the Protection of Paul In Acts 23:26 the tribune dispatches Paul to Caesarea under heavy guard. Claudius Lysias embodies Rome’s legal apparatus, which—despite its imperfections—served God’s larger purpose of preserving the apostle for future witness before governors, kings, and finally the emperor himself (Acts 23:11, 25:12, 27:24). The name “Claudius” signified imperial patronage granted at manumission; thus the commander’s social ascent mirrors the social mobility of many first-generation believers and illustrates the gospel’s penetration of diverse strata. Providence and the Expansive Reach of the Gospel The famine relief offering born in the reign of Claudius foreshadowed Paul’s later collection for Jerusalem, an ongoing expression of Gentile gratitude to Jewish believers (Romans 15:25–27, 2 Corinthians 9:12–15). The emperor’s expulsion order uprooted Jewish Christians, inadvertently scattering gospel witnesses across the empire, fulfilling the divine pattern of Acts 1:8. Meanwhile, Roman law shielded Paul repeatedly, turning potential persecution into platforms for proclamation (Acts 22:25–29, Philippians 1:12–13). Practical Ministry Implications • Economic crises and political edicts, while disruptive, can advance Christ’s mission by opening doors for mercy ministry and new relationships. Summary Strong’s Greek 2804 highlights how one imperial name intersects prophecy, persecution, and providence. The reign of Claudius framed pivotal developments: famine relief that knit churches together, an edict that forged strategic ministry partnerships, and legal proceedings that carried the apostolic witness from Jerusalem to Rome. In every instance, God overruled human authority to advance His unshakable kingdom. Englishman's Concordance Acts 11:28 N-GMSGRK: ἐγένετο ἐπὶ Κλαυδίου NAS: took place in the [reign] of Claudius. KJV: in the days of Claudius Caesar. INT: came to pass under Claudius Acts 18:2 N-AMS Acts 23:26 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2804 |
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