Who was Nero?

TL;DR:

Nero was the fifth emperor of Rome, notorious for persecuting Christians and blaming them for the Great Fire of Rome. Nero’s reign symbolizes opposition to Christianity and serves as a reminder for believers to remain faithful and courageous even under hostile rulers.

what does the bible say?

Nero ruled the Roman Empire from AD 54 to 68, known for his brutal persecution of Christians, including blaming them for the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64. Although his name is not mentioned in the Bible, Nero’s reign overlaps with key New Testament events, such as Paul’s imprisonment and martyrdom. Early Christian tradition holds that Nero was responsible for the deaths of apostles Peter and Paul. His rule ended in chaos, culminating in his suicide and a tumultuous period called the Year of Four Emperors. Nero is often linked with the Antichrist imagery in Christian tradition, symbolizing opposition to God and the church, reminding believers to remain faithful amid persecution.

from the old testament

Nero is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

Nero's reign involved several connections with events mentioned in the New Testament. When Nero became emperor, Christianity had already arrived in Rome. Paul's letter to the Romans, written in 55, was directed to numerous Christians living in Rome during this time. Jews from Rome were among those who heard the gospel at the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, likely soon returning to their city to form the first groups of Christians.
In Acts 25, Paul first appealed to appear before Caesar. From approximately AD 60—62, the apostle Paul lived under house arrest in Rome while awaiting a court appearance. The end of the Book of Acts notes, "He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance" (Acts 28:30-31).
The Bible does not specifically state whether the court appearance occurred, but Paul was evidently freed and continued to share the gospel. First and Second Timothy and Titus were written upon a second Roman imprisonment Paul incurred that resulted in his death sometime between 65—68 under Nero.

implications for today

Nero (AD 37 to AD 68) served as the fifth emperor of Rome from AD 54 until his death on June 9, 68. He became emperor at the age of 16 and died at the age of 30 from suicide. The massive fires of Rome in AD 64 left tremendous damage to the city. Nero was involved in blaming the city's Christians for the fire, resulting in a period of intense persecution of Christians. Early traditions cite Nero as the one who commanded (or was at least involved in) the deaths of Peter and Paul in Rome during his reign.

Though Nero took leadership of Rome at an early age, he also came to an early end under dire conditions. Declared an enemy by his own government, he fled Rome and later took his own life. Turmoil was so high by the time of his death that a time called "The Year of Four Emperors," in which Rome had four rulers in a single year, followed.

In the fifth century the church leader Augustine mentioned that many believed Nero was or would be the Antichrist mentioned in the New Testament. Some have further contended that the number of the Beast in Revelation of 666 is connected with Nero. Regardless, the idea that Nero represented an enemy of Christianity was in existence from an early time due to his persecution of believers and church leaders in Rome.

God calls us to live faithfully for Him, even under tyrannical leaders like Nero. Trust in God’s character and His sovereign plan can give us unwavering courage and trust, even amid intense persecution and injustice. Nero’s reign reminds us that earthly rulers can be hostile to Christ’s followers, seeking to silence the gospel through fear and violence. Yet, as believers, we are called to remain steadfast, knowing that our ultimate hope is not in human governments but in God’s eternal kingdom. Like the early Christians who faced Nero’s cruelty, we can take heart that God uses even the darkest times to refine faith and advance His purposes. This challenges us to live with integrity, boldly proclaiming the gospel and trusting God to sustain us no matter the opposition we face.

understand

Nero was Rome’s fifth emperor, known for persecuting Christians and blaming them for the Great Fire of Rome.
Nero’s reign overlapped with key New Testament events, including Paul’s imprisonment and martyrdom.
Nero’s chaotic rule and suicide symbolize opposition to Christianity, urging believers to stay faithful under persecution.

reflect

How do you respond when faced with opposition or hostility because of your faith?
What can you learn from the example of early Christians under Nero?
How might you boldly proclaim the gospel and live with integrity even if it puts you at odds with the culture around you?

engage

How do we balance respect for earthly authorities with the call to remain faithful to Christ, especially when leaders oppose Christianity?
What lessons can we draw from Paul’s boldness and perseverance during Nero’s persecution that apply to our lives today?
How can the church today support and encourage believers facing persecution or hostility for their faith?