XVI. CAESAR, THE KING

John 19:15.—“The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar.”

Although the Roman emperors never took the title of kings [For this remark I am indebted to Whiston.] , yet it appears from Josephus that they were so called by the Jews; and in further accordance with the writers of the New Testament, that historian commonly employs the term Cæsar, as sufficient to designate the reigning prince. Thus, when speaking of Titus, he says, “many did not so much as know that the king was in any danger.” And again, shortly after, “the enemy indeed made a great shout at the boldness of Cæsar, and exhorted one another to rush upon him.”—Bell. Jud. v. 2. § 2.

This is a curious coincidence in popular phraseology, and such as bespeaks the writers of the New Testament to have been familiar with the scenes they describe, and the parties they introduce.