Κλαύδιος (Klaudios)
Klaudios
Claudius
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The proper noun Klaudios identifies two distinct figures in the New Testament, both connected to Roman authority. The most prominent is Emperor Claudius, who ruled from 41 to 54 A.D. His name appears when the prophet Agabus predicts a severe famine during his reign (Acts 11:28), and later when Paul’s ministry in Corinth intersects with an imperial decree expelling Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2).
The second reference is to Claudius Lysias, a military tribune who plays a crucial role in Acts 23. He intervenes to rescue the Apostle Paul from an angry mob in Jerusalem, demonstrating the complex relationship between early Christian leaders and Roman civil power. The name itself is of Latin origin, meaning "lame," a detail that adds historical texture to these biblical portraits.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Claudius appears in the New Testament not as a central character, but as a marker of the historical world in which the early church grew. It reminds us that God’s work does not happen in a vacuum, separate from the empires and rulers of the day. Instead, it unfolds within real political structures, affecting real people.
When Agabus mentions Claudius, we see a famine that challenged the believers’ generosity. When Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla because of Claudius’s decree, we see how imperial orders can unexpectedly bring key ministry partners together. Even when Roman officials like Claudius Lysias intervene, they become instruments in the protection of the gospel message.
This word invites us to trust that God is sovereign over history. Whether through famine or political decrees, He guides His people. We can find comfort knowing that no ruler holds ultimate power, and that God uses even secular events to advance His purposes for good.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Claudius3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Κλαύδιος1×
- Κλαύδιον1×
- Κλαυδίου1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 11:28
One of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.
This verse anchors the prophecy of famine in a specific historical reign, showing how external crises tested the early church's unity and care.
-
Acts 18:2
He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,
Here an imperial expulsion decree unexpectedly brings Aquila and Priscilla to Corinth, positioning them as vital partners for Paul’s ministry.
-
Acts 23:26
“Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
This official letter highlights the legal protections available to believers, demonstrating how Roman authority can sometimes shield the spread of the gospel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Claudius mean in the Bible?
Who is Claudius in Acts 11:28?
How did Claudius affect Paul's ministry?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Acts 3 verses
One of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world,…
Acts 18:2He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,…
Acts 23:26“Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.