(Graecized Καῖσαρ; hence the Germ. title Kaiser, Russian Czar), a name assumed by or conferred upon all the Roman emperors after Julius Caesar (who is said to have been so named from his having been born by a surgical operation, ccEsus). In this way It became a sort of title, like Pharaoh, and, as such, is usually applied to the emperors in the New Testament, as the sovereign of Judaea (John 19:15; Acts 17:7), without theirdistinctive proper names. (See AUGUSTUS).
It was to him that the Jews paid tribute (Matthew 22:17; Luke 20:22; Luke 23:2), and to him that such Jews as were cives Romani had the right of appeal (Acts 25:11; Acts 26:32; Acts 28:19); in which cise, if their cause was a criminal one, they were sent to Rome (Acts 25:12; Acts 25:21; comp. Pliny, Epp. 10:97), where was the court of the emperor (Philippians 4:22). The Caesars mentioned in the New Testament are Augustus (Luke 2:1), Tiberius (Luke 3:1; Luke 20:22), Claudius (Acts 11:28), Nero (Acts 25:8); Caligula, who succeeded Tiberius, is not mentioned. See each name. On Philippians 4:22, (See HOUSEHOLD).