The Nazareth Inscription Stone is a 24" x 15" tablet, made of marble, that contains a Roman imperial edict regarding those who break into tombs. Inscribed either during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14 to 37 A.D.) or Claudius (41 A.D. to 54 A.D.) the edict declares that it is a crime punishable by death to disturb a gravesite. The stone was allegedly acquired by the Frohner Collection in 1878 from Nazareth. The following translation from the Greek-based Nazareth inscription is by Clyde E. Billington: EDICT OF CAESAR
It is my decision [concerning] graves and tombs -- whoever has made them for the religious observances of parents, or children, or household members -- that these remain undisturbed forever.
But if anyone legally charges that another person has destroyed, or has in any manner extracted those who have been buried, or has moved with wicked intent those who have been buried to other places, committing a crime against them, or has moved sepulcher-sealing stones, against such a person, I order that a judicial tribunal be created, just as [is done] concerning the gods in human religious observances, even more so will it be obligatory to treat with honor those who have been entombed.
You are absolutely not to allow anyone to move [those who have been entombed]. But if [someone does], I wish that [violator] to suffer capital punishment under the title of tomb-breaker. Since its original publication in 1930 by M. Franz Cumont, no scholar has published evidence to disprove its authenticity. Clyde Billington of Northwestern College has dated it to 41 A.D. and interpreted it as evidence of Christians preaching the resurrection of Jesus within a decade of His crucifixion. |
