Encountered Characters

Jesus teaching the people by the sea - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum

This group of characters, encountered or mentioned only once in the work, gathers 332 protagonists, all unknown from the New Testament or other sources.

Who are they?

The healed, the indifferent, the hateful, the believers, … The crowd that listens or boos. Here a face, there a cry from the heart, elsewhere a name, … all this life that surrounded Jesus, this humanity for which God became man! Included are several hundred named or anonymous characters who thus come to life before our eyes.

22 Characters encountered in the Decapolis

Abraham and Samuel. Inhabitants of a village in the Decapolis where Jesus drives out Beelzebub from a possessed man. They go in delegation in search of Jesus, because of the disturbance caused among the inhabitants by the Pharisees:

"Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees."

Aquila, the old slave of Marius (see below) who has followed him since childhood. Now paralysis slowly kills him, causing him much suffering. He is healed at his master's supplication.

"I am well, master. I felt something like a fire in my limbs and I lit heard an order: “Get up!”. I thought it was your voice. I got up… I could stand… I tried to walk… and I was able…"

Calipio, a camel driver from Ischilo met at Gerasa. He shows Marjiam (Martial, Jabez) the joys of a dromedary race.

Constance a Roman bystander from Gadara who listens to Jesus during the discourse on divorce.

Daniel and Tobias from the Jordan. They forcibly took a possessed man, tied him, and brought him home. The possessed man waited for them, half buried in the reeds and mud of the river, and when they boarded the boat to fish or cross, with his demonic strength he lifted the boat and overturned it.

Elijah, servant of Sarah of Aphek, falls while whitewashing the walls with lime. Jesus heals him of his gangrene.

"«Stand up, man. I solemnly tell you that few people have faith like this man. From whom did it come to you?» «From Your disciples who came here preaching You.»"

Publius Corfinius and Titus. Prison guards of Gamala. Without doubt Roman veterans who oversee a group of slaves charged with constructing the fortified ditches of Gamala for its notables.

Joan and Mary, two servants of Sara of Aphek

Joseph of Aphek. Servant of Sarah of Aphek.

"«Joseph, that light-headed man, broke the rose-bush of which you were so fond. I gave him a good thrashing. You should thrash me for allowing him to go near the plant.» «It is of no value…» but tears well up in the eyes of Sarah who justifies them saying: «My husband brought me it the last spring that he was healthy…»"

Mistress of Jaia. A generous woman who took Jaia and his mother as servants at the request of Jesus. Possibly the mother of Mark of Josiah Marius the believing Roman from Hippo. He comes to ask Jesus for the healing of his old slave Aquila (see above).

"I am a pagan. But I believe that You are a god. I have a slave, who is dear to me. An old slave who has followed me since I was a little boy."

Marius Severus, the Roman officer of Gadara. He comes to question Jesus, denounced as seditious.

Nereus and Quintus. Slaves of Marius. They witness at Ippo the miraculous healing of Aquila.

Philip of Aphek is one of the servants in the household of Sarah of Aphek, mentioned alongside Elijah of Aphek. He is likely the young servant who welcomes Sarah and the apostolic group upon their arrival in Aphek, taking care of the donkeys used for the journey. However, this identification is not explicitly stated in the text.

Saul son of Zacharias. Inhabitant of EnGev, the village before Ippo. He lends a boat to Jesus and John, fleeing from Chuza after the coronation plot.

Saltla of Ippo. Sterile and elderly wife of Elisha, she tried all miracle recipes and holy places to have a child and escape contempt. In her prayer, she is healed by Jesus.

Suzanne of Ippo. A woman who is outraged by the abandonment of Alphaeus of Meroba.

"«A little boy no longer loved by his mother!?!» [...] «Who is the hyena?»"

Tobit, drives Jesus to Chuza's country house in an ox cart beyond the Jordan.

7 Characters from the Diaspora and other places

Eunice (Happy victory), Greek from Ephesus, married to a Jew. Cultured, she knows the words of the wise men of her homeland.

"She found a resemblance between Your words and those of a great Greek philosopher. And Your words have reached also Ephesus."

Perhaps she is Eunice, mother of Timothy the disciple of Paul. She was a believing Jew who married a Greek. She was converted by the apostle during one of his stays in Lystra.

Baldassar, Nabor, Felix and Sidmia, some of the 12 sons of Alexander Misace, descendant of Jews exiled to Babylon.

Ismene, the sister of Syntyche

Quintus of Perga. A gentile who came to the Temple during the Feast of Booths specially to listen to Jesus.

"I am almost Jewish. My father was a Hellenist from Iconium. But he married a Roman from Antioch in Cilicia and he died before I was born. But the seed is Hebrew."

92 Characters encountered in Galilee

Abel, Alphaeus and his three sons, Joseph, Joshua, Levi, Naomi, Saul and Zacharias of Capernaum, ungrateful inhabitants. They have received good deeds from Jesus, but do not persevere in following him.          

Adina of Capernaum, a poor but courageous mother from Capernaum whom Bartholomew holds up as an example. She rubs some greenery on the little faded garment of her little girl to make it seem greener.    

Alphaeus of Nazareth, grandfather of Alphaeus of Sarah the childhood friend of the Virgin Mary.        

Anne, daughter of Alphaeus of Sarah. One of the three children of this neighbor of the Holy Family at Nazareth  

Anne of Giscala. A possessive mother-in-law who grumbles against her daughter-in-law Mary who has taken away her love for her son Jacob. However, she boasts the two grandchildren she gave her: Levi and Anne like herself. Jesus takes the opportunity to speak about the duties between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Antonius, the Roman innkeeper of Tiberias      

Appius Fabius, the debauched man. Met by Jesus on the way to the baths of Emmaus of Tiberias. Drunk, he orders Jesus to heal him.

"Where?" Jesus only asks. He enumerates all his pains and his fear of death.

"You must in fact fear death because you have killed yourself."          

Aristobulus. Greek of the idle society of Tiberias, disdainful of Jesus:

"Don’t interfere, Theodate. His head is in the clouds and He talks accordingly. A tragedian would like Him for a satire» replies another Greek."

Barbara, Thusnilde, the freed slave of Valeria.  

Benjamin of Capernaum. This new character is found in Jesus’ boat during the summer of the 3rd year. Probably familiar with the lake as he exchanges a reflection on navigation.    

Benjamin, Jacob, Mattathias and Simeon of Nazareth. Inhabitants who dream of Jesus as king of Israel in the human sense, like Levi, the synagogue leader. Perhaps those who participate in the first betrayal of Judas in GRM 264.        

Old Benjamin of Capernaum. An old inhabitant, disciple of Jesus        

Cornelius, a Roman of the idle and debauched society of Tiberias          

Crispus, a debauched man from Tiberias. He knew Mary of Magdala (Magdalene) at feasts. He is touched by her testimony of conversion and decides to reform:

"And… pray Your God for old Crispus. He was Your only listener in Tiberias."

David, young child of Capernaum, son of Philip of Capernaum. He consoles Jesus saddened by defections after the discourse on the Bread of Life. Affirms that he loves him truly, and also his little sister and James and Tobit, and Joan and Mary and Micah and all, all the children of Capernaum.      

Eliachim, a Nazarene who reproaches Joseph, the cousin of Jesus  

Eleazar, Jacob, Jonathas, Mark, Melchias, Philip and Tobias of Japhia. Families of woodcutters evangelized by the disciples. They benefit, like the whole village, from the miracle of the extinguished fire.  

Elisha of Bethsaida, the "grumbly" teacher of the young Peter and Philip, future apostles    

Isaac of Nazareth: a newlywed of April of the first year.        

Isaac the healed sick man. He comes to Capernaum to be cured of his diseased eyes. He proposes to the apostles a plan to thwart the investigation of the overly curious Pharisees.

Jahel of Capernaum. A little boy or girl (Yael) from Capernaum

John and Mary, stewards of the mother of Shalem  

Joan, a mother from Capernaum. Poor but courageous who Bartholomew holds up as an example. Patiently, she untangles the frAngels of her boy’s poor garment so that he seems less poor to go to synagogue.        

Joachim, a rich and disdainful boy from Megiddo on his way to become a son of the Law in Jerusalem.

Joanna, gardener for Johanna of Chuza in her property of Tiberias      

Joseph, son of Alphaeus of Sarah. One of the three children of this neighbor of the Holy Family at Nazareth.

Joseph, a merchant from Magdala. He finds himself in the house of Mary of Magdala (Magdalene). A murder has just been committed there by a scorned Roman lover.        

Josias, the pimp of Capernaum. This party companion of Matthew participates in the feast he gives to celebrate his regeneration. Scandal for the Pharisees.  

Jude and Mary, grandchildren of Anne and Jude of Merom. Their parents betrayed Jesus and this wounds their grandparents

Jude of Merom, his cousin and namesake.

Levi, the centenarian of Capernaum. He comes to be nourished by the words of Jesus, on a Sabbath:

"A word, Master, to make this day a happy one."          

Lia, deceased wife of Jacob of Merom      

Lia of Nazareth, daughter of Isaac. A friend of the Virgin Mary, died at the end of the first year of the Public Life.

Lucius of Tiberias. A Roman of the idle and debauched society of Tiberias

Mark, the day laborer resurrected by Jesus on the faith of his wife Rachel.    

Mark, the adulterer of Giscala. This man from the good society of Giscala flees to Kedesh (refuge city) after the murder of his mistress by the jealous husband and refuses to take with him the baby, fruit of their love.

"I say: the man who ran away and who after en­joying himself and causing ruin now disowns also the innocent child, does he think that by fleeing he will escape the eternal Avenger?" 

Mary, a seven-year-old girl healed of a spinal disease during the Sermon on the Mount.          

Mary, daughter of Alphaeus of Sarah. One of the three children of this neighbor of the Holy Family at Nazareth.

Mary, wife of Benjamin. A poor but courageous mother of Capernaum whom Bartholomew holds up as an example.  

Mary. A young child from Capernaum who loves Jesus truly according to the young David.        

Mary of Nazareth: A little sister who was just born during the passage of Jesus in April of the first year.      

Mary, one of the old servants of Anne and Judas the disciples, vine growers of Merom        

Matthias of Nazareth. A resident close to the house of Mary, at whose place Joseph is going to draw water from a spring.

Matathias of Esdraelon Plain and his hospitable family.      

Melchias of Bethsaida. A miracle recipient who did not convert.

Michael of Cana. Somewhat related to Bartholomew (Nathaniel) the Apostle, very good friend, and study companion since childhood… Comes in good faith (but not the one who sent him) to rejoice that he would have left Jesus, guilty of having harbored a galley slave (John of Endor) and a runaway slave: Syntyche.

Michael, Isaac, Esther, and Judith, affectionate servants for the young Shalem        

Old Micah. Owner of an olive grove in Capernaum where Jesus likes to retreat for prayer.          

Micah, a young child from Capernaum who loves Jesus      

Naomi of Merom. One of the old servants of Anne and Jude the disciples, vine growers.

Royal officer. Officer of the Tetrarch, evangelized by Chuza. He comes to Cana to ask for the healing of his sick son in Capernaum

Hosea of Korazim. A miracle recipient who did not convert.          

Philip of Capernaum. A resident favorable to Jesus. His young son comes to comfort Jesus troubled by defections after the Bread of Life discourse.          

Rachel, on the way to buy what is necessary for the burial of her husband Mark, she crosses paths with Jesus. On her faith, Mark is resurrected.

Rachel, an old woman from the Lake Tiberias region to whom Jesus gives an offering.

Rebecca, wife of Micah. A poor but courageous mother of Capernaum whom Bartholomew holds up as an example.

Sara, a young girl of Nazareth whose mother good is healed by Jesus but the family was ungrateful. She is punished for having spoken to the "rebel".      

Saltida. A poor but courageous mother of Capernaum whom Bartholomew holds up as an example. She stretches (for her son) the still raw fabric so that what is still a coarse cloth appears fine.    

Simon. Cited as one of the seventy-two disciples. Not identified elsewhere.

Tobias of Cana. The young orphan raised by his grandmother Joan.  

Theodatus. A Greek from Tiberias      

Titus. A Roman of the idle and debauched society of Tiberias      

Zacharias son of Isaac, a young orphan shepherd from the shores of Tiberias  

Zacchaeus of Magdala. A harsh fisherman with his wife and his five children, including Benjamin. He will benefit from a conversion of the heart.

52 Characters encountered in Jerusalem

At the Temple

Ania of the Temple, one of the scribes who noticed the presence of Jesus in the Temple (with the scribe Zacchaeus), before He healed the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda. The character designated by the name "Ania" could correspond to the scribe Anne, son of Nahum. Maria Valtorta indeed transcribes the names according to their phonetic rendering, with variants which sometimes differ from the traditional spelling, which makes this identification plausible.

Azrael and Jacob of the Temple, rabbis who administer the exam for the profession of faith of Marjiam      

Jude, a gentile (goi) who takes Jesus for a spirit.

Sara and Suzanne (Shoshana). Young companions of Mary at the Temple and who attend her wedding.    

Sara, daughter of Elisha. The last virgin of the Temple, descendant of David, to have left for marriage before the arrival of Mary

Members of the Sanhedrin

Elijah, different from the one of Capernaum, but also from Galilee.

Johanan: Maria Valtorta tells us little about this Sadducee: he is one of the contacts of Judas. A predator who "offers sacrifices with the good of the poor". He is found with his namesake at the funerals of Lazarus. The Sadducees refuse the interpretation of the Scripture which leads them to deny the immortality of the soul, not explicitly mentioned in Scripture. They extended their influence over the entire priestly body and the wealthy of society as reported in the writings of Maria Valtorta.

Isaac. He belongs to the college of priests. He is present at the funerals of Lazarus. Nothing is known about him.      

Jacob. He is a scribe. He is in charge of administering the coming-of-age exam to Marjiam (Martial, Jabez), the adopted son of Peter. Later, he is found accompanying Joel of Abijah called Alamoth in examining the prophetess Sabea. Jacob is a late sympathizer of Jesus

Jonas of Gabaon. He belongs to the priestly college. He is present at the funerals of Lazarus, but nothing is known about him.  

Levi, familiar enough to challenge Gamaliel

The old Matthias    

Sadoc, without further details, different from Sadoc the Scribe

Zacharias, a Sadducee who comes to the funerals of Lazarus accompanied by Johanan.

Zacharias, a namesake mentioned with the scribes.

Zacchaeus. One of the scribes of the Temple present during the healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda.

The Roman garrison

Bassus and Licinus, Roman soldiers of the Jerusalem garrison

Procule, doctor of the Antonia garrison in Jerusalem. He comes to verify the fatal outcome of a baby whose skull was shattered by the hooves of the soldier Alexander.

Sentius Saturninus. Governor of Palestine at the time when Caesar Augustus issues the census decree which will bring Joseph and Mary pregnant to Bethlehem. Publius Sulpicius Quirinus being then imperial delegate.

From the valleys of lepers

Gioab, a leper from Hinnom healed by Jesus

Uria, a leper from Hinnom healed by Jesus

From other neighborhoods of Jerusalem

Andrew the Apostle, Argenide, Berenice, Elissa, Gail, Hermogenes, Olinto, Philip, Saltima, Sitara, Theophane, Zabdi (Zebedee), Zilla. A group of people who frequent the synagogue of freed Romans and encounter Jesus (GRM 534).

Anne, the mother of Sidonia, the blind-born. She dies of pain upon seeing the treatment inflicted on Jesus (GRM 510 - GRM 630).

Cleophas, the sandal maker of Jerusalem. His daughter, Rebecca, is not very beautiful, but she is a good match who interests Samuel, the former fiancé of Annaleah

Elise, Philip, Joseph, children of Josias the steward of Nahum

Gaia, daughter of Berenice, frequents the synagogue of freed Romans.

Joseph, son of the gardener of the Holy Sepulcher.

Mistress of the Upper Room. Caretaker of this property of Lazarus, where the Last Supper and Pentecost took place. First of the churches.

Matthias, the caretaker of one of the properties of Lazarus in Jerusalem. The one outside the walls near the Kidron where Jesus confronts Nicodemus

Matthathias Sicule, head of the synagogue of the freed Romans.

Annaleah's uncle, mortally wounded by an axe blow struck by Samuel of Annaleah, drunk. Jesus heals him before he dies, saving Samuel from condemnation for murder.

Paralytic of the pool of Bethsaida. Healed by Jesus from a 38-year paralysis. He was waiting by the pool for the miracle of the healing.

Rachel, probably a young shepherdess of Lazarus, her goat providing milk to the Virgin Mary, exhausted by the Passion.

Rebecca, daughter of Cleophas, the sandal maker of Jerusalem. Not very beautiful, past her prime, but wealthy. She is courted by Samuel, the former fiancé of Annaleah, who did not wait to break up before taking this new companion.

3 characters encountered in Idumea

Arisa, the trusted man of the merchant from Petra. He takes charge of the caravan.

Phara and Tamar (from where she was born. Tamara comes from the Hebrew palm tree), the two blind children of the man from Petra. He abandons the caravan to go get them and have them healed by Jesus

51 Characters encountered in Judea

Abraham the jeweler, from Jerusalem or Joppa. He works diamonds and pearls. A friend of the family of Bartholomew of Levi, whose wedding procession was about to be robbed near Modin. Disma, the good thief the good thief seems to be involved.

Haggai of Azot. He is scandalized, in Caesarea on the Sea, that Jesus speaks to Romans

"Are you not Haggai, the man from Azotus, who came here last Tishri to negotiate business with the merchant at the foundation of the old fountain? And are you not Joseph of Ramah, who came here to consult the Roman doctor, and you know, as well as I do, why? So? Do you not feel unclean?"

It is on this occasion that Jesus pronounces his first real breaking speech with the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin whom he had so far tried to "evangelize."

Anne the wife of John of Gaash the Sanhedrist. Treated like a wife-object, she asks for divorce.

Asrael, the child-disciple of the Clear Water.

"- This four year old man, whose name is Asriel, told Me that he wants to be a disciple [...]

- And since you are a little rascal, what will you do?

- I will love Him. And I will do everything. And He will do everything, because I love Him. If you do that, you will become good, too."

Dove, old wife of Abraham, the chief of the synagogue of Engedi. Having become blind and idiotic due to the many sufferings: the death of her daughter Elise and the leprosy of her son Elisha, she is healed by Jesus

Cornelius from the Sharon plain. A Roman veteran, blacksmith. He dies leaving a destitute widow and several "bastard" children including Levi.

David from the Sharon plain, between Caesarea on the Sea and the Carmel. He is a young nephew of Gamala

Dina, a woman who has jaundice or suffers from malaria. She is healed by Jesus at The Clear Water

Diomedes, from Caesarea on the Sea (or Jerusalem). A Greek freedman, astrologer, dear to Claudia Procula. He argues to the Romans that the advent of the Christ is coming because the times are closer and the stars speak through their conjunctions... And to support his thesis, he cites the fact of the three Wise Men from the three Eastern countries, who came to adore Jesus as a child, provoking the massacre that horrified Rome.

Eliscia of Bethlehem will provide bread to the shepherds.

Elise, deceased daughter of Abraham, the chief of the synagogue of Engedi and his Wife Dove.

Elisha, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod. His head was cut off at the same time as the breast of his mother.

Emmanuel, the unborn son of the Sanhedrist John reconciled with his wife.

Florus Tullius Cornelius. Young idle and debauched Roman of Caesarea on the Sea, companion of orgies of Ennius

Isaac, Lucius Caius and Tobias. Children from Caesarea on the Sea who play together despite their origins. It is an opportunity to give, before the apostles, a lesson in tolerance.

Isaiah, the adulterous Pharisee. He is rebuked by Jesus in the valley of Mount Cherith for marrying a repudiated woman. Perhaps the former companion of Samuel the Pharisee.

Jacob of Bethany. He met Adina the leper

Joachim, a resident of Bethany who believes the rumors: Jesus is plotting a power grab.

Joel, servant of the Baptist in Hebron. He was in charge of distributing to the poor all the income from the property inherited from Zacharias. He also brought to John the Baptist, at the beginning of winter, a sheep's foot.

Jonas. Poorly identified character. He is cited as one of the seventy-two sent on mission. It cannot be Jonas of Esdraelon Plain, who died at that time. Less likely the guardian of Gethsemane who cannot be absent for long.

Jonathas of Masada. A rich Herodian that the daughter-in-law of Ananias is about to marry. She violently rejects her past:

"I am getting married again and I cannot impose a coarse peasant like him on the house of a rich man."

Joseph of Ramah (Judea). In Caesarea on the Sea, he is scandalized that Jesus speaks to Romans. Jesus replies:

"And are you not Joseph of Ramah, who came here to consult the Roman doctor, and you know, as well as I do, why? So? Do you not feel unclean?"

Joshua of Ur, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod

Judith, an old woman of Jutta who watches in amazement the healing of the crippled Isaac the shepherd

Lia from the Sharon plain, between Caesarea on the Sea and the Carmel. She is the sister-in-law of Gamala

Lia, the deceased wife of John of Nob

Levi of Abraham, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod

Mark of Bethany, a young boy who went to the fountain with a copper jug. He sees Jesus arrive and runs to warn the sisters held in mourning for their brother Lazarus

Marcus Heracleus Flavius. Idle and debauched Roman from Caesarea on the Sea. One of Ennius's companions in orgies.

Mary a woman of Nob

Matthias of Isaac, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod

Michael of Emmaus on the Plain. Child evangelized by Matthias during Jesus' siesta. He looks for wings on the back of Jesus. "Why don't you have any?" Jesus lays hands on him to proclaim to persecutors "Who is like God?", that is to say the meaning of his name.

Nathan of Bethany. He is aware of all the gossip.

Nathanael. Son of Levi, a rich goldsmith of Jerusalem with whom Thomas had professional relations. His wife, and the wedding procession, were nearly attacked between Modin and Bether

Papias, the old disciple who asks for martyrdom for his life of sins.

The prostitute bribed to tempt Jesus. At the end of a poignant dialogue, she radically rejects her past life. She is entrusted to Elise

Rachel of Bethany. She comments on a rumor about Jesus's takeover

Rachel of Bethlehem. Like Eliscia, she may provide bread to the shepherds

Reuben, a generous man from the ford of Bethabara: he escorts a child who came to ask Jesus for the healing of his mother.

Samuel of Jericho. Rich and powerful husband of Anastasica. With the complicity of Sadoc, he accuses his wife of being leprous in order to repudiate her and marry another woman he had fallen in love with.

Sara of Bethlehem. Peasant woman who retains the painful memory of the massacre of the innocents caused by the "false Messiah".

Samuel, innkeeper of Bethginnas. His moody daughter is cured of a demon by Jesus. Samuel converts.

"But the greedy dishonest Samuel is dead, Lord. Also my demon has fled. Now there is a new Samuel. And he will still be the innkeeper. But a holy one."

Saul of Masada, the grandson of Ananias, an old man abandoned by his daughter-in-law.

Saltma. Servant of Herodias at Machaerus. It is through her that all the details of the conversation between Herodias and Salome are known. She tells these to the disciples of John the Baptist (Matthias, John and Simeon) placed by Manaen as cooks or stablemen at the castle of Herod

Simon, the rope maker of Caesarea on the Sea. He hosts the apostolic group during its stay in the summer of the 3rd year. He is wary because he sees heavily dressed Women arriving. He fears they might be leprous: they are the Romans.

Simon, the notable of Emmaus on the mountain. Different from his namesake. He is invited by Cleophas the old man to a dinner during which he confronts Jesus

Timon of Jericho An innkeeper at whose place Jesus could have left a cart lent by the inhabitants of Pella, embarrassed by their home.

Tobias, one of the servants of the family of Bethany

12 Characters encountered in Perea

Dina, Osia, Anne, Seba, Melchi, David, Jude, children of Jerusa the cancer patient healed by Jesus. Giosia, their father gone far away to make a living

Esther of the Gilead mountains, her father comes to see Jesus at the Ford of Bethabara so that he may make his flock prosperous and become rich to dowry his daughter who is beginning to age. He angers Peter.

Josias of Gerasa. The father of Mark, the possessed man from whom the demon "legion" was cast out. After Mark's apostasy, he becomes sick.

Levi, a rich character of Bethabara. The parents of the young Michael put the old Ananias deceased suddenly into the tomb he had built.

Melkiah, from Adam on the bank of the Jordan. An acquaintance of the apostolic group (not the one from Syrophoenicia, nor that of Bethsaida) who should be at the ford of the Jordan with his sons in Nisan of the third year.

"Let us go down, right down to the ford. Melkiah and his sons must be there. This is his best season. He will take us across."

8 Characters encountered in Philistia

Alexander of Ashkelon. Mischievous young boy, son of a rich carpet merchant. His mother is generous and Homele Dina a poor girl. Alexander skillfully works wood and Jesus trades a puppet, an irreverent caricature of the synagogue leader, for a loop of his clothing with Jesus

Ananias of Ashkelon. Philistine market gardener about 80 years old, widower of an Egyptian. He homes Jesus in hostile land.

Anibe (Lower Nile) and Nubi (Upper Nile), Egyptian servants of Ananias of Ashkelon, daughters of his slaves.

Dina, a poor young girl from Ashkelon in Philistia. Her dying mother is healed by Jesus. She has three brothers, including Tolmé. Her sailor father is dead.

Phara, notable Philistine of Magdalgad near Ashkelon. His wife was about to die in childbirth and the village engaged in a pagan rite with a scapegoat. Jesus heals the goat, reduces the idol (Mother goddess) to ashes, and performs the miracle of childbirth.

Gatheo, a peasant in the service of Ananias of Ashkelon.

42 Characters encountered on Lebanon and in Syro-Phœnicia

Alba, Anne, Mary, Sira. Women of Alexandroscene dreamed of by the soldier Fabius, garrisoned in this city.

Anne, Elise, Isaac, Jacob, John, Judas, Judith, Levi, Mary, Mark. The numerous offspring of Titus, the Roman veteran and Esther, the Israelite. She raised her children in her religion, but her husband is reluctant for himself.

Aquila the triarius. Old Roman soldier of Alexandroscene who has countless scars on his face, bare arms and calves. He served in Africa, Gaul:

"Aquila has served in Africa, in Gaul, and in the wild forests where Varus and his legions were wiped out. He knows Greeks and Britons [...]"

Aquila looks with sympathy at Jesus rejected by the crowd.

Azio the legionnaire of Alexandroscene. He witnesses the miracles of Jesus

Caius and Scipio. Two Roman legionnaires of Alexandroscene, rather favorable to Jesus, discussing Rome's attitude regarding an assembly caused by Jesus

Cecilius Maximus, a Roman triarius of Alexandroscene who does not have a reputation for cleverness.

Doro of Alexandroscene. A Phoenician who slyly mocks Samuel’s conversations about Jesus

Elisha of Lebanon. Master of Daniel and Benjamin, two of the shepherds of the Nativity. Rich thanks to his cedar forests and his flocks. As demanding as he is, he is still a humane master.

Fabius, a Roman triarius ("veteran") of the garrison of Alexandroscene. He is a womanizer: Anne, Sira, Alba, Mary… but he listens attentively to Jesus.

James, Jacob, Melchias, Saul, Thomas, shepherds from Mount Hermon to whom Jesus appears. They have never seen him, but believe in him.

James and his wife, from Alexandroscene. Father of Joan, the little girl healed from a bone disease for which he and his wife went bankrupt, selling his house to pay the doctors. His wife confesses:

"It was my James who set hope in my heart by telling me what Your power works in Galilee and Judaea."

Jacob of Dora, at the foot of Mount Carmel. He is about to divorce Mary, daughter of James who will obtain the miraculous stoppage of the procedure.

Jonas of Alexandroscene. A lame man healed.

Mark of Alexandroscene. Old man healed of his poor eyesight.

Melchias. Relative of the deaf-mute healed (Ephphatha) Father of Sara and Samuel. They had been visited by the Shepherd disciples.

Palma the little girl healed of a demon at the supplication of her mother, The Canaanite woman:

"But dogs go into the room where the landlord is eating with his children, and they eat what falls from the table [...]"

Procore. Roman soldier of Alexandroscene. Probably a decurion or a centurion, as he is "the chief". He always dreams of plots against Rome and... promotion for himself.

Pudens. Roman legionnaire of the garrison of Alexandroscene. He witnesses the miracles of Jesus

Sabin of Alexandroscene. A young Roman soldier who listens to Jesus:

"I would be enthusiastic myself if I were a woman and I would like to have him in my bed…"

Samuel, a resident of Alexandroscene, serious and bearded who quarrels with the Phoenician Doro about Jesus Sira of Alexandroscene. She attends the preaching of Jesus. good and very young, she becomes widow of Zeno. She then goes to Jerusalem to her brother.

"[...] she settled here in town with her brother, and is one of Your believers. She told us that You can do everything", says one of the women of the synagogue of the freedmen.

Thomas, probably a shepherd, who talked about Jesus with shepherds from Lebanon.

21 Characters encountered in Samaria

Abel of Sychar, a resident of this city of Samaria, met following the conversion of the Samaritan woman Photina

Anna, a young child who enjoys Dina’s honey.

Anne, a hostess from Ephraim who temporarily hosts the apostles at the arrival of the Women disciples

Aquila, Roman soldier of the Italic legion, garrisoned at Caesarea on the Sea, met while Jesus escorts Jonas dying.

Elijah of Ephraim, one of the samaritans who guide Jesus by a shortcut, towards Shiloh

Ephrem, the healed leper with nine others near Ephraim. He is the only one to return and praise God in his Messiah.. It is a lesson for all: he is indeed a Samaritan. At his request Jesus gives him a new name drawn from the land where they are.

John of Ephraim. His brother wants to sell his property. Mary of Jacob will probably buy it with the money Jesus brings him

Joachim of Shechem, brings the offerings of Shechem to Jesus who distributes them to the poor.

Jonas of Enon, a notable, witness of the redemption of young Benjamin

Jorai of Sychar. A resident of this city of Samaria.

Levi of Enon, a notable, witness of the redemption of young Benjamin

Malachi of Lebonah : his deformed boy is healed by Jesus

Naomi of Ephraim. She lives on the heights battered by the tramontane. This allows late picking of almond blossoms for the arrival of Mary

Quintus, Roman soldier of the Italic legion based at Caesarea on the Sea. Met while Jesus escorts Jonas dying. Perhaps this Quintus Felix whom Jesus later meets in Jerusalem

Rachel of Enon. In her lifetime, she protected the young shepherd Benjamin from the violence of her husband, Alexander

Rachel of Ephraim. She supplies cheeses to the apostolic troupe.

Rachel, her namesake from the same place, died in childbirth.

Reuben of Dothan, the young paralyzed after a fall, whom Jesus healed at a distance at his father’s request.

Simon, the Samaritan of Sychar. His wife is healed of a possession. On this occasion, he shows great faith in Jesus

Tamar (Palm tree in Hebrew) a little girl from Ephraim who absolutely wants to offer a bouquet of daisies to Jesus

Timothy of Sychar A resident of this city of the Samaritan woman who comes to beg Jesus to stay longer.

25 Characters encountered in Syria

Alphaeus, Lazarus, Myrtica and Hermas of Antioch. They are the children of Hermione and Dositheus, son of the steward of Lazarus at Antioch, Ptolmai.

Amiclea, and her children Cassius and Theodore. A servant of Lazarus at Antioch. Proselyte and daughter of proselytes.

Berenice. Hostess of the house of Lazarus in Antioch. She rejoices to learn of the conversion of Mary of Magdala (Magdalene) whom she must therefore have known well.

Elbonide Danita and Simeon, a couple of servants of Lazarus in Antigonea

Joseph of Antioch, eldest son of Ptolmai steward of Lazarus. He is consecrated to the Lord. Theocerie his sister, who in her name has the memory of the righteous masters (Theophilus and Eucheria of Theophilus), "wise daughter and friend of God, a true Israelite".

Lucius of Antioch. Roman proselyte torn from servitude by Eucheria of Theophilus, the mother of Lazarus. Now servant in Antigonea.

Marcel and his wife Thecla. Marcel is a proselyte Roman, freed from slavery by Eucheria of Theophilus, the mother of Lazarus. His wife, daughter of a proselyte, is sterile.

Miriam and Sylvanus. A couple of servants of Lazarus in Antigonea. Sylvanus is from the tribe of Nephtali.

Priscilla, Solon and their children Marius, Cornelia, Mary and Martilla, twins. Family of servants of Lazarus in Antigonea. Priscilla is a tall and slender woman with an aquiline face. Proselyte, she is freed by a Roman. Solon, son of Elatae, is from Thessalonica. He is also a proselyte freed from slavery by Eucheria of Theophilus.

Quirinus (Publius Sulpicius Quirinus) or Quirinius. Senator, former consul, former combatant in Africa, imperial delegate (Governor) in Syria between 4 and 1 BC at the time of the census that brought Joseph and Mary pregnant to Bethlehem. While Sentius Saturninus was governor of Palestine.

Saba of Antioch a servant of Berenice.

2 Characters encountered in the Tetrarchy of Philip

Anne and Benjamin. Old childless couple who homes the disciples at Caesarea of Paneas. Evangelized by Isaac:

"«Benjamin and Anne welcome not only us, but whoever comes looking for You. They do so in Your Name.» [...] «Oh! We have means, but have no children. At the end of our days, we are adopting the poor of the Lord»"

Second part of the Bible, from the coming of Jesus Christ until the Apocalypse.

That leads to nothing, is useless, wastes time. (Example: to ask an idle question).

Action of a person (called an "apostate") who renounces their religion and faith, who publicly abandons their religion (to adopt another or not). It thus announces their choice to religious representatives.

Person of non-Israelite origin who renounces their beliefs to join Judaism.

Persons of non-Israelite origin who renounce their beliefs to join Judaism.

Person of non-Israelite origin who renounces their beliefs to join Judaism.