the truth of the matter

A Silent Witness to Prophecy Fulfilled

In the heart of Rome, Italy, a triumphal arch rises above the ancient streets and draws visitors from across the world. It honours one of Rome’s best-known emperors, Titus, and it still shapes how many people remember Rome’s victory in Judea.

Two large relief panels on the Arch of Titus portray a famous moment from the first century C.E. Yet the arch also connects with the Bible in a less discussed way. For careful readers of Scripture, it stands as a public marker of events that align with Bible prophecy.

A city condemned

By the early first century C.E., Rome controlled a vast empire, from Britain and Gaul (modern France) to Egypt. Many regions saw stability and wealth. However, Judea remained a constant problem, because resentment ran deep on both sides.

“Few territories under Rome’s control were marked by such intense dislike, on both sides, as Judaea. The Jews resented foreign masters who cared nothing for their traditions, and the Romans found Jewish stubbornness cause for severe intolerance.”

Many Jews expected a political messiah who would drive out Rome and restore Israel’s independence. In 33 C.E., though, Jesus Christ warned that Jerusalem faced disaster.

“The days will come upon you when your enemies will build around you a fortification of pointed stakes and will encircle you and besiege you from every side. They will dash you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave a stone upon a stone in you.” ,(Luke, 19:43, 44)

His disciples struggled to take in that message. Two days later, as they looked at the temple, one of them spoke with awe about the scale of the buildings.

“Teacher, see! what wonderful stones and buildings!” ,(Mark, 13:1)

The temple complex used massive stones, with some reported to measure more than 11 metres long, 5 metres wide, and 3 metres high. Even so, Jesus repeated the warning in clear terms.

“As for these things that you now see, the days will come when not a stone will be left upon a stone and not be thrown down.” ,(Luke, 21:6)

He also gave practical direction for those who would live through the crisis.

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her.” ,(Luke, 21:20, 21)

Death of a city

Over the next 33 years, Judea remained tense under Roman rule. In 66 C.E., the Roman governor of Judea seized money from the temple treasury. That act sparked fury. Rebels moved into Jerusalem, killed the local garrison, and declared freedom from Rome.

Soon after, a Roman force of more than 30,000 troops marched on Jerusalem to crush the revolt. They pushed into the city and weakened the outer defences near the temple area. Then, without a clear reason, they withdrew. The rebels celebrated and chased the retreating army.

With the fighters drawn away, Christians acted on Jesus’ warning and left Jerusalem. They fled to the mountains beyond the Jordan River.

“Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains.” ,(Matthew, 24:15, 16)

The next year, Rome returned with a renewed campaign, led by a senior general and his son. After the emperor died in 68 C.E., the general went back to Rome to take the throne, and he left the Judean war to his son. The new commander brought an army said to be about 60,000 strong.

In June 70 C.E., Roman soldiers cut down trees across the countryside. They used the timber to build a long barrier of pointed stakes around Jerusalem, about 7 kilometres in length. By September, Rome had taken the city, looted it, and burned it. The temple fell as well, and the destruction went down to the level of stonework, matching what Jesus had foretold. Conservative estimates place the dead between a quarter and a half million in Jerusalem and the surrounding region.

An imperial triumph

In 71 C.E., the victorious commander returned to Italy and received a huge welcome. Rome staged one of its most lavish victory parades. Crowds filled the streets as wealth flowed past them, including captured vessels, large floats showing scenes from the war, and items taken from Jerusalem’s temple.

He later became emperor in 79 C.E. However, he died unexpectedly only two years later. His brother took power and ordered a triumphal arch built to honour him and the Judean campaign.

The arch today

Today, the Arch of Titus is one of the most visited sights in the Roman Forum. Many admire it as art. Others see it as a statement of imperial power. For some, it serves as a memorial to Jerusalem and its temple.

For Bible readers, the arch can carry an added meaning. It stands as a quiet reminder that the events Jesus described did occur, and it supports the view that Bible prophecy is reliable.

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you are doing well to pay attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises in your hearts. For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.” ,(2 Peter, 1:19-21)