Jesus’ Subversive Use of Roman “Euangelion” Term

In the Roman Empire, the term "euangelion" functioned as a political announcement celebrating the emperor’s achievements, particularly his military victories, divine status, and the peace and prosperity he purportedly brought to the empire. Emperors such as Caesar Augustus employed evangelists—proclaimers of this good news—to disseminate messages that affirmed the emperor as the Son of God, Savior, and Prince of Peace. These proclamations reinforced the emperor’s divine authority and legitimized his rule across the vast Roman territories ([12:46]).

When Jesus began proclaiming "the gospel of God", also referred to as "euangelion", he deliberately adopted a term steeped in imperial and political significance. However, Jesus’ use of "euangelion" diverged sharply from the Roman imperial narrative. Instead of heralding the triumphs of a human emperor, Jesus announced the arrival of a new kingdom—one characterized by justice, peace, and love—with himself as the true King. This proclamation directly challenged Caesar’s authority and the prevailing imperial ideology ([07:30]).

This message was profoundly subversive because it contested the Roman Empire’s claim to divine rule. While the Roman "euangelion" celebrated Caesar’s divine status and military conquests, Jesus’ "euangelion" proclaimed the coming of God’s reign—a kingdom founded not on power and violence but on suffering love and justice. Jesus asserted that his kingship was rooted in sacrificial love rather than conquest, thereby undermining the foundation of Roman imperial power, which depended on military might, propaganda, and divine claims for the emperor ([09:22]).

By reappropriating the term "euangelion" and infusing it with new meaning centered on the kingdom of God, Jesus made a bold declaration: there exists another king, and his name is Jesus. This declaration directly challenged Caesar’s divine status and authority, redefining what constitutes true "good news." Instead of imperial propaganda, Jesus offered a gospel of a new kingdom destined to overthrow corrupt, violent, and oppressive systems through love, justice, and humility.

Jesus’ use of "euangelion" was intentionally political and subversive. It transformed a term once used to celebrate the Roman emperor into a proclamation of God’s reign through Jesus—a kingdom that disrupts worldly power structures and invites all people to participate in God’s restorative plan for creation ([12:46]). This historical context reveals the radical nature of Jesus’ message and explains why it posed a significant threat to the established order.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Midtownkc.church, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO