Boy New Testament Known
Claudius
Claudius
Κλαύδιος Klaudios
Claudius (Greek: Κλαύδιος, Klaudios) is a biblical name; its Greek etymology is not securely established. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Apostolic period. In 2025 it was given to 6 children in the United States. Appears with Agabus in Acts 11.
Which Claudius?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Claudius
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Claudius
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 14 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Apostolic
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 6 | Steady |
| All-time total | 928 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 23 in 1916 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Acts 11:28 |
| Last appears | Acts 28:19 |
| Cross-references | 275 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Lysias co-occurrence Appears with Lysias in Acts 24.
- Agabus co-occurrence Appears with Agabus in Acts 11.
- Felix co-occurrence Appears with Felix in Acts 24.
- Augustus co-occurrence Appears with Augustus in Acts 25.
- Festus co-occurrence Appears with Festus in Acts 26.
- Jason co-occurrence Appears with Jason in Acts 17.
- Aquila co-occurrence Appears with Aquila in Acts 18.
- Priscilla co-occurrence Appears with Priscilla in Acts 18.
Origin & meaning
Κλαύδιος, -ου, ὁ
Claudius;
__1. the Emperor: Act.11:28 18:2.
__2. A military tribune, C. Lysias: Act.23:26.†
(AS)
Claudius was the Roman emperor during part of Paul's ministry.
The biblical story
Claudius, also referred to as Caesar, was the Roman emperor during a significant portion of Paul's ministry. He is mentioned in several contexts throughout the book of Acts.
In Act.11.28, the prophet Agabus foretold a great famine that would occur during the reign of Claudius, which prompted the disciples to send relief to the believers in Judea.
Act.18.2 mentions that Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome, which led Aquila and Priscilla to move to Corinth, where they met Paul.
In Act.17.7, the accusers of Paul and Silas in Thessalonica claimed that they were acting against the decrees of Caesar, likely referring to Claudius.
During Paul's trial in Acts 25-26, Claudius is mentioned as the emperor to whom Paul appealed for justice (Act.25.8,10,11,12,21; 26.32).
In Act.27.24, an angel told Paul that he must stand before Caesar, referring to Claudius or his successor.
Finally, in Act.28.19, Paul stated that he was compelled to appeal to Caesar because of the Jews' opposition.
These references to Claudius provide historical context for the events in Acts and demonstrate the Roman Empire's significant influence on the early Christian church.
Key verses
Claudius appears in 11 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cesar.
Acts 11:28 -
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Acts 17:7 -
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
Acts 18:2 -
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.
Acts 25:8 -
Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
Acts 25:10
Show all 11 references
Acts (11)
- Acts 11:28
- Acts 17:7
- Acts 18:2
- Acts 25:8
- Acts 25:10
- Acts 25:11
- Acts 25:12
- Acts 25:21
- Acts 26:32
- Acts 27:24
- Acts 28:19