Nazareth Inscription (Decree of Caesar)
What Was Found
A white marble slab measuring approximately 60 by 37.5 centimeters, inscribed with a 22-line Greek text of an imperial decree threatening the death penalty for anyone who disturbs tombs, removes bodies, or breaks sepulchral seals. The inscription was reportedly acquired in Nazareth and sent to Paris in 1878 by Wilhelm Froehner, eventually entering the collection of the Bibliotheque nationale de France. It was first published by Franz Cumont in 1930, who titled it "Ordinance of Caesar" (Diataxis Kaisaros). The decree is attributed to either Emperor Augustus, Tiberius, or Claudius (spanning roughly 27 BCE to 54 CE). Some scholars have connected the inscription to Roman awareness of the empty tomb tradition and the accusation that Jesus's disciples stole his body (Matthew 28:13-15), suggesting the decree may have been prompted by reports of the resurrection claim. A 2020 study by Kyle Harper and colleagues published in the Journal of Archaeological Science used stable isotope analysis to determine the marble originated from the island of Kos, Greece — not from the Levant — complicating the Nazareth provenance but not disproving the connection to the region.
Why This Matters
If connected to the resurrection accounts, would be evidence that Roman authorities were aware of and responding to early Christian claims about the empty tomb within decades of the crucifixion.
Acceptance Assessment
Debated Among Scholars
The inscription itself is accepted as a genuine Roman imperial decree. Its connection to Nazareth, its dating to a specific emperor, and any relationship to the resurrection tradition are all debated.
What Scholars Debate
Major debates: (1) Exact provenance — the 2020 isotope study shows the marble is from Kos, casting doubt on a Nazareth origin; (2) Which emperor issued the decree; (3) Whether it relates to the resurrection tradition at all, or is simply a standard Roman anti-grave-robbing law; (4) The phrase "Decree of Caesar" could refer to any emperor.