Index of biographies

André

The fisherman of Bethsaida — first called, brother of Peter

Anne (Hanan ben Seth)

high priest AD 6-15; influence continuing into the 60s

Former high priest — father-in-law of Caiaphas — patriarch of the priestly dynasty

Anna the prophetess

A widow of the Temple, prophetess of the tribe of Asher

Barabbas

active c. 30 AD

An insurgent released in place of Jesus — a figure of substitution

Barthélémy / Nathanaël

The apostle without guile — identified with the Nathanael of John

Bartimée

Caïphe (Joseph ben Caïphe)

grand prêtre 18-36 AD

High priest of the Temple — president of the Sanhedrin at the trial of Jesus

Cléopas

active c. 30 AD

Disciple of Emmaus — witness of the first paschal appearance to the disciples

Dismas (the good thief)

exécuté c. 30 AD

The “good thief” — crucified at Christ’s right hand — the first saint canonised by Christ himself

Frères de Jésus (notice consolidée)

A major exegetical and confessional question

Gestas (the bad thief)

exécuté c. 30 AD

The “bad thief” — crucified at Christ’s left hand — a figure of impenitent refusal

Hérode Antipas

20 BC – après 39 ap. J.-C.

Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea — “that fox” (Luke 13:32)

Herod I the Great

c. 73 BC – 4 BC

King of Judea, an Idumean — builder of the enlarged Temple

Herod Philip II the Tetrarch

c. 22/20 BC – 34 ap. J.-C.

Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis — Josephus’s “good Herod”

Hérodiade

c. 15 BC – après 39 ap. J.-C.

Granddaughter of Herod the Great, wife of Antipas, instigator of the murder of John the Baptist

Jacques fils d'Alphée

The Less — an obscure apostle, sometimes identified with the brother of the Lord

Jacques fils de Zébédée

The Great — the first apostle to be martyred, brother of John

Jaïre et sa fille

Jean fils de Zébédée

The evangelist — the beloved apostle, theologian of the Logos

Jean-Baptiste

The Forerunner — the last of the prophets, baptiser at the Jordan

Jeanne, femme de Chouza

Joachim et Anne

Traditional parents of the Virgin Mary (with no New Testament basis)

Joseph d'Arimathie

Joseph de Nazareth

The foster father of Jesus, a carpenter of Galilee

Joset (ou Joseph), frère du Seigneur

Second of the brothers of Jesus according to Mark 6:3

Judas Iscariote

The traitor — an enigmatic figure of apostolic betrayal

Jude, frère du Seigneur

Third of the brothers of Jesus, possible author of the Epistle of Jude

Jésus de Nazareth

The Christ, Son of God — the central figure of the New Testament

L'hémorroïsse

La Cananéenne / Syrophénicienne

La Samaritaine de Sychar

The widow with two small coins

La veuve de Naïn

Lazare de Béthanie

Luc

1st century; died in Boeotia aged 84 according to the anti-Marcionite Prologue

Evangelist, author of Luke–Acts, “the beloved physician”

Le centurion de Capharnaüm

The centurion at the cross

active c. 30 AD

A Roman officer at the foot of the cross — the first pagan confession of faith

Malchus

active c. 30 AD

A servant of the high priest — his ear cut off by Peter at Gethsemane

Marie de Béthanie

Marie, femme de Cléophas

Marie, mère de Jésus

The Virgin — the central marian figure of Christianity

Marie-Madeleine

The first witness of the Resurrection — apostle to the apostles

Marthe de Béthanie

Matthias

The thirteenth — chosen to replace Judas Iscariot

Matthieu / Lévi

The publican — a tax collector, traditional evangelist

Nicodème

Philippe

The apostle of Bethsaida — to be distinguished from Philip the evangelist (Acts 6 and 8)

Ponce Pilate

préfet 26-36 AD ; décès c. 39

Roman prefect of Judea — judge of Jesus

Salomé

c. 14 ap. J.-C. – c. 71 ap. J.-C.

Daughter of Herodias — dancer at the banquet of Antipas

Salome, mother of the sons of Zebedee

Simon de Cyrène

active c. 30 AD

Bearer of the cross — father of Alexander and Rufus

Simon the Zealot / the Cananaean

The zealot — an apostle of radical political commitment

Simon Pierre

The fisherman of Bethsaida — first of the Twelve, a pillar of the primitive Church

Simon, frère du Seigneur

Fourth brother according to Mark 6:3 — possible successor of James at Jerusalem

Siméon

The righteous old man who recognises the Messiah in the Temple

Suzanne

Sœurs de Jésus

An anonymous collective mention in Mark 6:3 and Matt 13:56

Thaddée / Jude fils de Jacques / Lebbée

The apostle of three names — patron of desperate causes

Thomas

Didymus (“the Twin”) — the apostle of paschal doubt

Zacharie

A priest of the division of Abijah, father of John the Baptist

Zachée

Élisabeth

Cousin of Mary, wife of Zechariah, mother of John the Baptist

Agabus

actif années 40-58 AD

An itinerant Christian prophet — foretells the famine and Paul’s arrest

Ananias et Saphira

c. 33-34 AD

A couple struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit

Ananie de Damas

actif années 30-40 AD

A disciple at Damascus, who baptised Saul-Paul

Apollos

milieu Ier century

An eloquent Alexandrian Jew — disciple of John the Baptist — corrected by Priscilla and Aquila — party leader at Corinth

Aquila et Priscille

expelled from Rome by Claudius (49) — active until c. 60

A Jewish-Christian artisan couple — co-workers of Paul at Corinth, Ephesus and Rome — tentmakers

Aristarque

milieu Ier century

A Macedonian of Thessalonica — Paul’s faithful companion from the Ephesus riot to Rome

Barnabé (Joseph dit Barnabas)

c. 5 BC – c. AD 61; martyred, according to tradition, at Salamis in Cyprus

A Cypriot Levite, companion of Paul, an “apostle” sent from Antioch

Bérénice

28 – après 81

Sister of Agrippa II — virtual empress alongside Titus — hearer of Paul’s discourse at Caesarea

Claudius Lysias

active c. 57–58

Military tribune of the Jerusalem cohort — saves Paul from lynching and sends him to Caesarea

Corneille de Césarée

converti c. 38-40 AD

The first Gentile received into the Church — centurion of the Italian Cohort

Crispus

milieu Ier century

Leader of the synagogue at Corinth — converted and baptised by Paul

Damaris

milieu Ier century

A convert at Athens — a woman named by Paul in the Areopagus discourse

Denys l'Aréopagite

milieu Ier century (selon Ac) ; pseudépigraphes Ve–VIe

A member of the Areopagus council — converted by Paul at Athens — subject of a major pseudepigraphon

Drusilla

AD 38–79 (died with her son Agrippa in the eruption of Vesuvius, according to Josephus)

Youngest sister of Agrippa II — third wife of the procurator Felix — hearer of Paul at Caesarea

Démétrios l'orfèvre d'Éphèse

c. 57

A silversmith — instigator of the theatre riot at Ephesus against Paul

Eutyque

c. 57 (Pâques à Troas)

A young man who fell from the window at Troas — raised up by Paul

Gallion

c. 5 BC – 65 ap. J.-C. ; proconsulat 51–52

Proconsul of Achaia — brother of Seneca — a fixed point of absolute Pauline chronology

Hérode Agrippa I

10 BC – 44 ap. J.-C. ; règne 41–44

King of the Jews AD 41–44 — persecutor of the primitive Church — executioner of James son of Zebedee

Hérode Agrippa II

c. 27 – c. 100; reigned 50–93 (over restricted territories, never over Judea)

The last Herodian king — hearer of Paul’s apologetic discourse at Caesarea — loyal to Rome in the Jewish War

Iulius

active c. 60

Centurion of the Augustan Cohort — escorts Paul from Caesarea to Rome — kindly disposed towards Paul

Jason de Thessalonique

milieu Ier century

Host of Paul at Thessalonica — posts bail before the politarchs

Jean-Marc (Marc l'évangéliste)

c. AD 5/10 – c. 68; martyred at Alexandria under Nero, according to tradition

Cousin of Barnabas, an evangelist, traditional founder of the Church of Alexandria

Joseph Barsabbas dit Justus

active c. 30–60

The unsuccessful candidate at the election of Matthias — possible brother of Judas Barsabbas

The Philippian jailer

c. 49–50

Anonymous — converted after the earthquake — baptised by night with his whole household

Lydie de Thyatire

milieu Ier century

The first convert in Europe — a dealer in purple cloth — patron of dyers and merchants

Marcus Antonius Felix

c. 5/10 – après 60 ; procurateur 52–58 (chronologie débattue)

Procurator of Judea c. 52–58 — husband of Drusilla — detains Paul two years at Caesarea

Philippe l'évangéliste

actif années 30-60 AD ; tradition byzantine : died c. 80 à Tralles

Second of the Seven, an “evangelist”, father of the prophesying daughters

Porcius Festus

?– 62 ; procureur 59–62 (date d'entrée en charge débattue : 58/59/60)

Procurator of Judea AD 59–62 — successor of Felix — occasions Paul’s appeal to Caesar

Prochore, Nicanor, Timon, Parménas, Nicolas

c. 33-34 AD (institution)

The other five of the Seven (Acts 6:5)

Publius

active c. 60

The leading man of Malta (πρῶτος τῆς νήσου) — hosts Paul after the shipwreck — his father healed by Paul

Sergius Paulus

proconsulat de Chypre c. 46–48 ap. J.-C.

Roman proconsul of Cyprus, the first imperial official converted by Paul (Acts 13)

Silas / Silvanus

actif années 48-62 AD

A prophet of Jerusalem, companion of Paul, co-author of the epistles to the Thessalonians

Simon the Magician (Simon Magus)

active c. 35-50 AD ; mort traditionnelle à Rome sous Néron

A Samaritan magician — the eponymous figure of simony

Sosthène

milieu Ier century

Successor of Crispus at the Corinthian synagogue — possible co-author of 1 Corinthians

Syméon Niger, Lucius de Cyrène, Manaën

actifs c. 45-47 AD

Prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1)

Tabitha (Dorcas)

morte et ressuscitée c. 35-40 AD

A disciple at Joppa — the first named mathētria in the NT, raised by Peter

Tertullus

active c. 57

An advocate (rhētōr) employed by the Sanhedrin to accuse Paul before Felix

Timothée

c. 25 – c. 97; martyred at Ephesus under Domitian or Nerva, according to tradition

A disciple of Paul, “a son in the faith”, recipient of 1–2 Timothy

Tite

active AD 48–100; bishop of Gortyna (Crete), according to tradition

A Greek companion of Paul, organiser of the collection, recipient of the epistle to Titus

Tyrannus

milieu Ier century

An Ephesian teacher who hosted the Pauline school — historically anonymous

Élymas / Bar-Jésus

c. 46-47 AD (premier voyage missionnaire)

A Jewish magician in the service of the proconsul of Cyprus, struck blind by Paul

Énée (Aineas)

actif années 30-40 AD

A paralytic of Lydda healed by Peter

Étienne (Stephanos)

martyrisé c. 34-36 AD

First of the Seven, protomartyr of the Church

Alexander the coppersmith

active c. 50–67 ap. J.-C.

“The coppersmith” who “did me great harm” (2 Tim 4:14)

Ampliatus

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

“My beloved in the Lord” — Rom 16:8

Andronic

active c. 30–60 ap. J.-C.

A notable apostle with Junia — kinsman and fellow prisoner of Paul — a Christian before Paul

Apellès

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

“Approved in Christ” — Rom 16:10a

Apphia

active c. 50–65 ap. J.-C.

“Our sister” — probable wife of Philemon — co-recipient of Philemon

Archippe

active c. 50–65 ap. J.-C.

Paul’s “fellow soldier” — possible son of Philemon and Apphia — minister at Colossae

Aristobule (maison d')

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C. ; ou personnage cité posthume

Patron of a Roman Christian “household” — possible brother of King Herod Agrippa I

Asyncrite, Phlégon, Hermès, Patrobas, Hermas

actifs c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

Five brothers greeted collectively with “the brothers who are with them” — a Roman house community — Rom 16:14

Carpos

active c. 60–67 ap. J.-C.

Paul’s host at Troas — keeper of the cloak and the parchments (2 Tim 4:13)

Clément

active c. AD 55–96 (if identified with Clement of Rome)

A Philippian fellow worker — Phil 4:3 — disputed identification with Clement of Rome

Crescens

active c. 60–67 ap. J.-C.

A disciple sent to Galatia (or Gaul?) — 2 Tim 4:10

Démas

active c. 55–65 ap. J.-C.

A companion who deserted — “he deserted me, in love with this present world” (2 Tim 4:10)

Eubule, Pudens, Linus, Claudia

actifs c. 65–80 ap. J.-C.

Roman companions of Paul’s second imprisonment — 2 Tim 4:21 — Linus = future bishop of Rome

Eunice et Loïs

actives c. 30–60 ap. J.-C.

Mother and grandmother of Timothy — the first line of Christian family transmission in the NT (2 Tim 1:5)

Gamaliel l'Ancien

c. 5/10 BC – c. 52 ap. J.-C.

Paul’s Pharisaic teacher — a sage of the Sanhedrin — defender of the apostles (Acts 5:34-39)

Gaïus, Tertius, Erastus, Quartus

actifs c. 50–60 ap. J.-C.

Paul’s Corinthian hosts and scribe in 57 — the network of Rom 16:22-23

Hyménée et Philète

actifs c. 60–67 ap. J.-C.

Gnosticising opponents — “the resurrection has already happened” (2 Tim 2:17-18)

Hérodion

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

“My kinsman” — possibly a freedman of the Herodian household — Rom 16:11a

Jason, Sopater, Lucius

actifs c. 50–60 ap. J.-C.

Corinthian companions — Paul’s “kinsmen” at the writing of Romans (Rom 16:21)

Junia

active c. 30–60 ap. J.-C.

“Outstanding among the apostles” — the first named female apostle of the NT — a figure in the debate on women’s ministry

Marie (Rm 16,6)

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

A Roman woman who “worked very hard for you” — one of the seven Marys of the NT

Narcisse (maison de)

actif (ou décédé) avant 54 ap. J.-C.

Patron of a Roman Christian household — perhaps the imperial freedman and adviser of Claudius

Néron

15 décembre 37 – 9 juin 68 (règne : 13 octobre 54 – 9 juin 68)

Roman emperor — persecutor after the fire of 64 — under whom Peter and Paul were martyred

Onésime

active c. 60–110 ap. J.-C.

A fugitive slave converted by Paul at Rome — indirect recipient of Philemon — an emblematic figure of Pauline abolitionism

Onésiphore

active c. 55–67 ap. J.-C.

A faithful companion — “was not ashamed of my chains” (2 Tim 1:16) — the antithesis of Demas

Paul de Tarse

c. 5/10 ap. J.-C. – c. 64 ou 67 (martyr à Rome sous Néron)

Apostle to the Gentiles — author of the Pauline corpus — theologian of justification, the Church as body, and realised eschatology

Persis

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

“The beloved” who “worked hard in the Lord” — Rom 16:12b

Philologue, Julie, Nérée et sa sœur, Olympas

actifs c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

A fourth Roman house group — Rom 16:15 — Philologus and Julia probably a couple

Philémon

active c. 50–65 ap. J.-C.

A Colossian Christian — recipient of the shortest Pauline epistle — master of Onesimus

Phoebé

active c. 56–57 ap. J.-C.

Deacon of Cenchreae — bearer of the Epistle to the Romans — the first person named in Rom 16

Phygelle et Hermogène

actifs c. 60–67 ap. J.-C.

Asians who deserted Paul — “all who are in Asia have turned away from me” (2 Tim 1:15)

Pseudo-Sénèque (correspondance Sénèque-Paul)

rédaction probable IVe century ap. J.-C.

An apocryphal correspondence between Paul and Seneca the Philosopher — fourteen Latin letters

Rufus et sa mère

actifs c. 30–60 ap. J.-C.

“Chosen in the Lord” — possibly a son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21) — his mother “a mother to me also”

Stachys

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

“My beloved” — Rom 16:9 — Orthodox tradition makes him the first bishop of Byzantium

Stéphanas, Fortunatus, Achaïcus

actifs c. 50–55 ap. J.-C.

A Corinthian family — the first fruits of Achaia — delegates to Paul at Ephesus (1 Cor 16:15-18)

Trophime

active c. 50–67 ap. J.-C.

An Ephesian — cause of Paul’s arrest at the Temple — left ill at Miletus

Tryphène et Tryphose

actives c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

Sisters or cousins — “who work hard in the Lord” (Rom 16:12a) — ironically aristocratic names

Tychique

active c. 55–67 ap. J.-C.

A faithful Asian — bearer of Ephesians and Colossians — “dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord”

Urbain

active c. 50–57 ap. J.-C.

“Our fellow worker in Christ” — Rom 16:9

Zénas

active c. 65 ap. J.-C.

“The lawyer” (nomikos) — Titus 3:13 — accompanies Apollos to Crete

Épaphras

active c. 50–65 ap. J.-C.

A Colossian — evangeliser of Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis — Paul’s fellow prisoner

Épaphrodite

active c. 55–65 ap. J.-C.

A Philippian — bearer of Philippians — “apostle and minister to my need” (Phil 2:25)

Épénète

active c. 52–55 ap. J.-C.

The first fruits of Asia for Christ — Paul’s first convert in Asia Minor

Évodie et Syntyche

actives c. 50–60 ap. J.-C.

Philippian women ministers in conflict — “to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil 4:2)

Cérinthe

fin du Ier century (actif v. 90-100, Asie Mineure)

An Asian heresiarch, traditional adversary of John

Diotrèphe

active c. 80–100 ap. J.-C.

“Loves to be first” — an authoritarian church leader challenged by the Elder (3 John 9-10) — an ecclesiological crux

Démétrios (3 Jn 12)

active c. 80–100 ap. J.-C.

“Well attested by everyone, and by the truth itself” — commended by the Elder — possibly identified with Demetrius of Ephesus

Démétrius

active c. 80–100 ap. J.-C.

A witness praised by John in 3 John 12 — a figure of ecclesial unity in the Diotrephes crisis

Gaïus (3 Jn 1)

active c. 80–100 ap. J.-C.

The beloved recipient of 3 John — a model of Christian hospitality — distinct from the Gaius of Corinth

James the brother of the Lord

c. 1–62 ap. J.-C.

Brother of Jesus — leader of the Jerusalem Church — traditional author of James — “James the Just” — subject of Luther’s “epistle of straw” controversy

Jude (frère de Jacques)

active c. 30–80 ap. J.-C.

Brother of the Lord — traditional author of Jude — cites Enoch and the Assumption of Moses — subject of canonicity debate

Antipas

c. 92 ap. J.-C.

“My faithful witness” (Rev 2:13) — martyr of Pergamum — Orthodox tradition: the brazen bull under Domitian

Balaam (Ap 2,14)

active c. 95 ap. J.-C. (référence prophétique typologique)

A typological reference for the false teachers of Pergamum — the “teaching of Balaam” — Num 22-24

Deux témoins (Ap 11)

figures eschatologiques (intervention prophétique future ou récit symbolique)

Elijah and Enoch (or Moses and Elijah) — eschatological prophets slain at Jerusalem — identification disputed

Domitien (Titus Flavius Domitianus, Δομετιανός)

Born 24 October 51 — assassinated 18 September 96; reigned 14 September 81 – 18 September 96 (15 years); damnatio memoriae voted by the Senate post-mortem

Roman emperor AD 81-96; the persecutor traditionally associated with the dating of Revelation according to Eusebius, HE III.18-20; a historiographically contested figure

Woman with the twelve stars (Rev 12)

figure apocalyptique typologique

“A woman clothed with the sun” who bears the Messiah — Mary, Israel or the Church?

Jean de Patmos

active c. 30/40–100 ap. J.-C.

The seer of Revelation — exiled on Patmos under Domitian — identification with John the apostle disputed

Jézabel (Ap 2,20)

active c. 80–95 ap. J.-C.

“That woman who calls herself a prophet” — an adversarial figure at Thyatira — modelled on Jezebel, queen of Israel

The Beast from the sea (Ἀντίχριστος / 666 / 616)

Apocalyptic composition c. 95 (Eusebius, HE III.18.3, under Domitian); the textual variant 616 attested by 𝔙115 (3rd c.) and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (5th c.)

An eschatological figure of Rev 13:1-10; the number 666 (variant 616); a Neronian identification dominant in historical-critical exegesis

La Prostituée de Babylone (Ἡ πόρνη ἡ μεγάλη)

Rédaction Ap ca 95 (Eusèbe HE III,18,3) ; identification papale Wyclif De potestate papae 1379 → Luther 1520 → Calvin 1559 ; abandon académique XIXe-XXe

An allegorical figure of Rev 17-18; imperial Rome in historical-critical exegesis, papal Rome in the classic Reformation reading

Les 144 000 marqués du sceau (ἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τέσσαρες χιλιάδες)

Vision Ap 7 et 14 ca 95 ; controverse millénariste XIX-XXIe (Témoins de Jéhovah depuis Russell 1879)

The elect sealed on the forehead in Rev 7:1-8 and 14:1-5; twelve times twelve thousand from the twelve tribes of Israel

Les Quatre Cavaliers de l'Apocalypse (οἱ τέσσαρες ἱππεῖς)

Vision Ap 6 ca 95 ; tradition exégétique constante depuis Irénée (Adv. Haer., IV, 21, 3)

Riders introduced by the first four seals of Rev 6:1-8; a symbol of judgement (conquest, war, famine, death)

Les Quatre Vivants (τέσσαρα ζῷα)

Vision Ap 4 ca 95 ; association tétramorphique-évangéliste Irénée Adv. Haer. III, 11, 8 (ca 180) ; codification iconographique IV-Ve

Heavenly beings of the divine throne in Rev 4:6-9; a tetramorph associated with the four evangelists by Irenaeus and then by Christian iconography

Michel l'Archange (Μιχαήλ, מִיכָאֵל)

Première mention canonique : Daniel 10,13.21 ; 12,1 (ca 165 BC) ; Jude 9 ; Ap 12,7-9 ; tradition liturgique chrétienne dès IVe century (basilique San Michele près de Rome 390)

Chief of the heavenly hosts; fights the Dragon in Rev 12:7-9; “who is like God”; a major angelological figure in all three traditions

Nicolaïtes

actifs c. 80–95 ap. J.-C.

A heretical sect at Ephesus and Pergamum — traced to Nicolas the deacon — Rev 2:6, 15

Polycarpe de Smyrne (Πολύκαρπος ὁ Σμυρναῖος)

Born c. 70, martyred 155 or 156 (Smyrna, under Antoninus Pius) — precisely dated by Eusebius, HE IV.15, and the Martyrium Polycarpi

Bishop of Smyrna, disciple of John the apostle according to Irenaeus; martyred c. 155-156; a bridge figure between the NT and Greek patristics

Seven angels of the seven Churches

actifs c. 80–95 ap. J.-C.

Recipients of the seven letters of Rev 2-3 — debated as heavenly angels or human bishops