The Rabbit Trail to Tiberius

 

I love Biblical rabbit trails, don’t you? The other day, I was translating names in Luke 3 and came across the name Tiberius. Since I don’t know much about the individual Roman Caesars, I decided to look him up. This led to an in-depth investigation of the origins of the name, and ultimately to the land of Israel and the region of Galilee, where we surprisingly find a version of this name.

The Sea of Tiberias is also called the Sea of Galilee, and the Sea of Gennesaret (GK) or Chinnereth (Hebrew). Both Galilee and the Chinnereth are ancient names used in the Old Testament from the time of Joshua on, as well as in the New Testament. John identifies the Sea of Tiberias in John 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is [the sea] of Tiberias. Tiberias means “from the river god”. The River Tiber is the river that flows through Rome. It is named after Tiberinus, the god of Rome. The name Tiber means “water”.

Galilee means circuit district or an area in which a traveling judge held court. At the time of Jesus, it was predominantly populated by Jews but also had a sizable Gentile population.

Gennesaret (GK) or Chinnereth (Hebrew) means a harp. Harps have long been the preferred instrument in royal courts. The harp symbolizes a wide range of concepts, including heaven, worship, hope, and love, often associated with peace, serenity, and divine connection.

At the beginning of the reign of Herod Antipas, he made the city of Sepphoris(GK), known as Zippori (Bird) in Hebrew, his capital. This city is about an hour’s walk from Nazareth. It was an ancient city, established in Joshua’s time, and is reportedly the birthplace of Jesus’ mother, Mary. During Herod Antipas’ father’s reign, it was pretty much destroyed due to riots. Antipas rebuilt it and embedded a multitude of pagan symbolism throughout the city. Even the synagogue had a floor mosaic picturing the chariot of Helios, the Greek god of the sun, surrounded by the twelve astrological signs of the zodiac.

Antipas established the city of Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in 20 AD. He wanted to replace Sepphoris as his capital. It was a symbolic gesture. As an entirely new city, Tiberias projected Rome’s new and absolute dominance over an ancient territory. Out with the old, in with the new! The site Antipas chose for this city was on an ancient trade route, and it was near 17 hot springs, known for their healing properties, making it a popular spot for those seeking healing. However, it was built over ancient burial grounds, which made the ground unclean for Jews.  Herod Antipas had to offer incentives like property and freedom from slavery to encourage people to move in. Despite initial resistance, Tiberias eventually became an important Jewish center. After the destruction of Jerusalem, it became a spiritual hub and the seat of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish High Court. The Jerusalem Talmud was also compiled there. Interestingly, those who rejected Christ turned a blind eye to the defilement of the land in favor of riches.

There are also spiritual implications to Jesus' ministry in this area. This was an area composed of both Gentiles and Jews with heavy pagan influences. Jesus didn’t only come to save the Jews, but the Gentiles too. What better place for the first seeds of the gospel to be planted! This region is where Jesus spent a significant portion of his life and ministry. The Hebrew names of this sea and of the region speak of jurisdiction and authority. Some scholars associate the depths of the Sea of Galilee with Sheol, the place where the dead await judgment. Jesus travels the circuit in this area, proclaiming not judgment, but mercy for those who worship the true God.

It seems the name Tiberias was superimposed on the Sea of Galilee to proclaim Roman dominance over the region. By ministering here, Jesus undercuts the supremacy of Rome and its god, Tiberinus, on a spiritual level.

In an era of emperor worship, Jesus demonstrates who holds the true power. It is here that Jesus turned water into wine, healed multitudes, cast out demons, raised the dead daughter of Jairus, fed the 5,000 and the 4,000, and preached the gospel. He even walked on the water of the Sea of Galilee and calmed the storm, proving His lordship over the creation that the river god of Rome was trying to usurp. It was in Galilee that Jesus proclaimed that [Isa 61:1-2 KJV] 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, had been fulfilled and it is here that He called His first disciples. It was the beginning of God’s reclamation of the nations to Himself.

 After the resurrection, Jesus once again appears on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias.

 [Jhn 21:1-2, 4-14 KJV] 1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he [himself]. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the [sons] of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. ... 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt [his] fisher's coat [unto him], (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus called His disciples to follow Him from the shores of the Sea of Galilee, calling them to be fishers of men in [Mat 4:18-21 KJV] 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. Now, after the resurrection, He instructs them as to where to fish, resulting in a catch of 153 fish. In a place where the disciples have toiled in vain all night, Jesus points them to a great harvest. In Hebrew, where every number has a meaning, one meaning of the number 153 is, “I AM God”. It is in the place where people fear judgment and false gods that God will direct us to a great harvest, for God is with us. We can work all night long, but without God’s direction, it will come to nothing. Father, please direct all of us to the harvest You want us to catch!