Encountered Characters

From Wiki Maria Valtorta
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 NewWater 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[edit | edit source]

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: "Do not NHomelez the Leaven of the Pharisees."[1]

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 healed, master. I felt a Fire in my limbs and heard a command: "Get up!" It seemed it was your voice. I stood up... I was standing..."[2]

Calipio, a camel driver from Ischilo met at Gerasa. He shows Margziam the joys of a dromedary race.[3]

Constance a Roman bystander from Gadara who listens to Jesus during the discourse on divorce.[4]

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.[5]

Elijah, servant of Sarah of Aphek, falls while whitewashing the walls with lime. Jesus heals him of his gangrene.
- "Rise, man. Truly I tell you, few people have such faith. From whom does it come to you?"
- "From your Disciples who have passed here to preach to you."[6]
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.[7]

Joan and Mary, two servants of Sara of Aphek[8]

Joseph of Aphek. Servant of Sarah of Aphek.
"Joseph, that scatterbrain, broke the rose bush you loved so much. I gave him a good correction. Punish me, for I was foolish enough to let him approach it."
- "Never mind..." But tears come to Sara's eyes who explains by saying: "It was my husband who brought it to me in the last spring he was healthy..."[9]
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[10] Marius the believing Roman from Ippo. 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 dear to me, an old slave who has followed me since my childhood."[11]
Marius Severus, the Roman officer of Gadara. He comes to question Jesus, denounced as seditious.[12]

Nereus and Quintus. Slaves of Marius. They witness at Ippo the miraculous healing of Aquila.[13]

Saul son of Zacharias. Inhabitant of EnGev, the village before Ippo. He lends a boat to Jesus and John, fleeing from Chouza after the coronation plot.[14]

Saltla of Ippo. Sterile and elderly Woman 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.[15]

Suzanne of Ippo. A Woman who is outraged by the abandonment of Alphaeus of Meroba. "A child whose mother no longer loves him!?! Who is this hyena?"[16]

Tobit, drives Jesus to Chouza's country house in an ox cart beyond the Jordan.[17]

7 Characters from the Diaspora and other places[edit | edit source]

Eunice (Happy victory), Greek from Ephesus, married to a Jew. Cultured, she knows the words of the wise men of her Homeland.
"She found correspondences between your words and those of a great Greek philosopher, and even the words you said reached 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.[18]
Baldassar, Nabor, Felix and Sidmia, some of the 12 sons of Alexander Misace, descendant of Jews exiled to Babylon.[19]

Ismene, the sister of Sintica[20]

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 in Antioch of Cilicia, and he died before I was born. But the seed is Hebrew."[21]

92 Characters encountered in Galilee[edit | edit source]

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.[22]          

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.[23]    

Alphaeus of Nazareth, grandfather of Alphaeus of Sarah the childhood friend of the Virgin Mary.[24]        

Anne, daughter of Alphaeus of Sarah. One of the three children of this neighbor of the holy Family at Nazareth[25]  

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.[26]

Antonius, the Roman innkeeper of Tiberias[27]      

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 are right to fear death, you have killed yourself."[28]          

Aristobulus. Greek of the idle society of Tiberias, disdainful of Jesus:
"Don't mind him, Theodatus. He preaches only wind. He would have suited the tragedian for a satire," he says to a neighbor.[29]
Barbara, Thusnilde, the freed slave of Valeria.[30]  

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.[31]    

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 EMV 264.[32]        

Old Benjamin of Capernaum. An old inhabitant, disciple of Jesus[33]        

Cornelius, a Roman of the idle and debauched society of Tiberias[34]          

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:
"Pray to your God for old Crispus, your only listener from Tiberias."[35]      
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.[36]      

Eliachim, a Nazarene who reproaches Joseph, the cousin of Jesus[37]  

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.[38]  

Elisha of Bethsaida, the "grumpy" teacher of the young Peter and Philip, future Apostles[39]    

Isaac of Nazareth: a newlywed of April of the first year.[40]        

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.[41]

Jahel of Capernaum. A little boy or girl (Yael) from Capernaum[42]

John and Mary, stewards of the mother of Shalem[43]  

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.[44]        

Joachim, a rich and disdainful boy from Megiddo on his way to become a son of the Law in Jerusalem.[45]

Joanna, gardener for Johanna of Chuza in her property of Tiberias[46]      

Joseph, son of Alphaeus of Sarah. One of the three children of this neighbor of the holy Family at Nazareth.[47]

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.[48]        

Josias, the pimp of Capernaum. This party companion of Matthew participates in the feast he gives to celebrate his regeneration. Scandal for the Pharisees.[49]  

Jude and Mary, grandchildren of Anne and Jude of Merom. Their parents betrayed Jesus and this wounds their grandparents[50]

Jude of Merom, his cousin and namesake.[51]    

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 joyful."[52]          
Lia, deceased Woman of Jacob of Merom[53]      

Lia of Nazareth, daughter of Isaac. A friend of the Virgin Mary, died at the end of the first year of the Public Life.[54]

Lucius of Tiberias. A Roman of the idle and debauched society of Tiberias[55]

Mark, the day laborer resurrected by Jesus on the faith of his Woman Rachel.[56]    

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.
"The man who fled and who, after having sinned and caused misfortune, now also rejects the innocent, does he believe that by fleeing he will escape the Eternal Avenger?"[57]          
Mary, a seven-year-old girl healed of a spinal disease during the Sermon on the Mount.[58]          

Mary, daughter of Alphaeus of Sarah. One of the three children of this neighbor of the holy Family at Nazareth.[59]

Mary, Woman of Benjamin. A poor but courageous mother of Capernaum whom Bartholomew holds up as an example.[60]  

Mary. A young child from Capernaum who loves Jesus truly according to the young David.[61]        

Mary of Nazareth: A little sister who was just born during the passage of Jesus in April of the first year.[62]      

Mary, one of the old servants of Anne and Jude the Disciples, vine growers of Merom[63]        

Matthias of Nazareth. A resident close to the house of Mary, at whose place Joseph is going to draw water from a spring.[64]

Matathias of Esdraelon Plain and his Family hospitable.[65]      

Melchias of Bethsaida. A miracle recipient who did not convert.[66]

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: Sintica.

Michael, Isaac, Esther, and Judith, affectionate servants for the young Shalem[67]        

Old Micah. Owner of an olive grove in Capernaum where Jesus likes to retreat for prayer.[68]          

Micah, a young child from Capernaum who loves Jesus[69]      

Naomi of Merom. One of the old servants of Anne and Jude the Disciples, vine growers.[70]

Royal officer. Officer of the Tetrarch, evangelized by Chouza. He comes to Cana To ask for the healing of his sick son in Capernaum[71][72]

Hosea of Corozaïn. A miracle recipient who did not convert.[73]          

Philip of Capernaum. A resident favorable to Jesus. His young son comes to comfort Jesus troubled by defections after the Bread of Life discourse.[74]          

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.[75]

Rachel, an old Woman from the Lake Tiberias region to whom Jesus gives an offering.[76]

Rebecca, Woman of Micah. A poor but courageous mother of Capernaum whom Bartholomew holds up as an example.[77]

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" (EMV 57 - EMV 60).      

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.[78]    

Simon. Cited as one of the seventy-two Disciples. Not identified elsewhere.[79]

Tobias of Cana. The young orphan raised by his grandmother Joan.[80]  

Theodatus. A Greek from Tiberias[81]      

Titus. A Roman of the idle and debauched society of Tiberias[82]      

Zacharias son of Isaac, a young orphan shepherd from the shores of Tiberias[83]  

Zacchaeus of Magdala. A harsh fisherman with his Woman and his five children, including Benjamin. He will benefit from a conversion of the Heart.[84]

52 Characters encountered in Jerusalem[edit | edit source]

At the Temple[edit | edit source]

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[85]. The character designated by the name "Ania" could correspond to the scribe Anne, son of Nahum. Maria Valtorta indeed transcribes the names Salton 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 Margziam[86]      

Jude, a gentile (goi) who takes Jesus for a spirit.[87]

Sara and Suzanne (Shoshana). Young companions of Mary at the Temple and who attend her wedding.[88]    

Sara, daughter of Elisha. The last virgin of the Temple, descendant of David, to have left for marriage before the arrival of Mary[89]

Members of the Sanhedrin[edit | edit source]

Elijah, different from the one of Capernaum, but also from Galilee.[90]

GioCana: Maria Valtorta tells us little about this Sadducee: he is one of the contacts of Judas[91]. A predator who "offers sacrifices with the Good of the poor"[92]. He is found with his namesake at the funerals of Lazarus[93]. 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.[94]

Isaac. He belongs to the college of priests. He is present at the funerals of Lazarus. Nothing is known about him.[95]      

Jacob. He is a scribe. He is in charge of administering the coming-of-age exam to Margziam, the adopted son of Peter[96]. Later, he is found accompanying Joel of Abijah called Alamoth in examining the prophetess Sabea. Jacob is a late sympathizer of Jesus[97]

Jonas of Gabaon. He belongs to the priestly college. He is present at the funerals of Lazarus, but nothing is known about him.[98]  

Levi, familiar enough to challenge Gamaliel[99]

The old Matthias[100]    

Sadoc, without further details, different from Sadoc the Scribe[101]

Zacharias, a Sadducee who comes to the funerals of Lazarus accompanied by GioCana.[102]

Zacharias, a namesake mentioned with the scribes.[103]

Zacchaeus. One of the scribes of the Temple present during the healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda.[104]

The Roman garrison[edit | edit source]

Bassus and Licinus, Roman soldiers of the Jerusalem garrison[105]

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.[106]

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.[107]

From the valleys of lepers[edit | edit source]

Gioab, a leper from Hinnom healed by Jesus[108]

Uria, a leper from Hinnom healed by Jesus[109]

From other neighborhoods of Jerusalem[edit | edit source]

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 (EMV 534).

Anne, the mother of Sidonia, the Confessiongle-born. She dies of pain upon seeing the treatment inflicted on Jesus (EMV 510 - EMV 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[110]

Elise, Philip, Joseph, children of Josias the steward of Nahum[111]

Gaia, daughter of Berenice, frequents the synagogue of freed Romans.[112]

Joseph, son of the gardener of the Holy Sepulcher (EMV 631 - EMV 642).

Mistress of the Upper Room. Caretaker of this property of Lazarus, where the Last Supper and Pentecost took place. First of the Churches.[113]

Matthias, the caretaker of one of the properties of Lazarus in Jerusalem. The one outside the walls near the Kidron where Jesus confronts Nicodemus (Cf. EMV 116)[114]

Matthathias Sicule, head of the synagogue of the freed Romans.[115]

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.[116]

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.[117][118]

Rachel, probably a young shepherdess of Lazarus, her goat providing milk to the Virgin Mary, exhausted by the Passion.[119]

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.[120]

3 characters encountered in Idumea[edit | edit source]

Arisa, the trusted man of the merchant from Petra. He takes charge of the caravan.[121]

Fara and Tamar (from where she was born. Tamara comes from the Hebrew palm tree), the two Confessiongle children of the man from Petra. He abandons the caravan to go get them and have them healed by Jesus[122]

51 Characters encountered in Judea[edit | edit source]

Abraham the jeweler, from Jerusalem or Joppa. He works diamonds and pearls. A friend of the Family of Bartholomew (Nathaniel) the Apostle of Levi, whose wedding procession was about to be robbed near Modin. Disma, the good thief the good thief seems to be involved.[123]

Haggai of Azot. He is scandalized, in Caesarea on the Sea, that Jesus speaks to Romans
"Are you not Haggai? The man from Azot who came here last Tishri to try to conclude business with a merchant who lives near the foundations of the old spring? So? Do you not consider yourselves impure?"[124]
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."[125]

Anne the Woman of John of Gaash the Sanhedrist. Treated like a Woman-object, she asks for divorce.[126]

Asrael, the child-disciple of the Beautiful Water.
- "This four-year-old man named Asrael told me he wants to be a disciple. "And how to become good? You who are a kid, how will you do it?"
- "I will love him and do everything, and He will do everything because I love him. You too do, and you will become good."[127]
Dove, old wife of Abraham, the chief of the synagogue of Engedi. Having become Confessiongle 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[128]

Cornelius from the Sharon plain. A Roman veteran, blacksmith. He dies leaving a destitute widow and several "bastard" children including Levi.[129]

David from the Sharon plain, between Caesarea on the Sea and the Carmel. He is a young nephew of Gamala[130]

Dina, a Woman who has jaundice or suffers from malaria. She is healed by Jesus at The Beautiful Water[131]

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.[132]

Eliscia of Bethlehem will provide bread to the shepherds.[133]

Elise, deceased daughter of Abraham, the chief of the synagogue of Engedi and his Wife Dove.[134]

Elisha, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod. His head was cut off at the same time as the breast of his mother.[135]

Emmanuel, the unborn son of the Sanhedrist John reconciled with his Woman.[136]

Florus Tullius Cornelius. Young idle and debauched Roman of Caesarea on the Sea, companion of orgies of Ennius[137]

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.[138]

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.[139]

Jacob of Bethany. He met Adina the leper[140]

Joachim, a resident of Bethany who believes the rumors: Jesus is plotting a power grab.[141]

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.[142]

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.[143]

Jonathas of Masada. A rich Herodian that the daughter-in-law of Ananias is about to marry. She violently rejects her past:
"I will soon remarry and I cannot impose this coarse peasant (Ananias) on the house of a rich man."[144]
Joseph of Ramah (Judea). In Caesarea on the Sea, he is scandalized that Jesus speaks to Romans. Jesus replies:
"And you, are you not Joseph of Ramah (Judea), come here to consult the Roman doctor and, like Me, you know why? So? Do you not consider yourselves impure?"[145]
Joshua of Ur, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod[146]

Judith, an old Woman of Jutta who watches in amazement the healing of the crippled Isaac the shepherd[147]

Lia from the Sharon plain, between Caesarea on the Sea and the Carmel. She is the sister-in-law of Gamala[148]

Lia, the deceased Woman of John of Nob[149]

Levi of Abraham, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod[150]

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[151]

Marcus Heracleus Flavius. Idle and debauched Roman from Caesarea on the Sea. One of Ennius's companions in orgies.[152]

Mary a Woman of Nob[153]

Matthias of Isaac, one of the holy innocents massacred by Herod[154]

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.[155]

Nathan of Bethany. He is aware of all the gossip.[156]

Bartholomew (Nathaniel) the Apostle. 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[157]

Papias, the old disciple who asks for martyrdom for his life of sins.[158]

The prostitute bribed to tempt Jesus. At the end of a poignant dialogue, she radically rejects her past life. She is entrusted to Elise[159]

Rachel of Bethany. She comments on a rumor about Jesus's takeover[160]

Rachel of Bethlehem. Like Eliscia, she may provide bread to the shepherds[161]

Reuben, a generous man from the ford of Bethabara: he escorts a child who came To ask Jesus for the healing of his mother.[162]

Samuel of Jericho. Rich and powerful husband of Anastasica. With the complicity of Sadoc, he accuses his Woman of being leprous in order to repudiate her and marry another Woman he had fallen in love with. (EMV 360 - EMV 368)

Sara of Bethlehem. Peasant Woman who retains the painful memory of the massacre of the innocents caused by the "false Messiah".[163]

Samuel, innkeeper of Bethginnas. His moody daughter is cured of a demon by Jesus. Samuel converts.
"The greedy and dishonest Samuel is dead, Lord. My demon is gone too. Now, it’s a new Samuel. He will still be an innkeeper, but a saint".[164]
Saul of Masada, the grandson of Ananias, an old man abandoned by his daughter-in-law.[165]

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[166]

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.[167]

Simon, the notable of Emmaus of the mountain. Different from his namesake. He is invited by Cleophas the old man to a dinner during which he confronts Jesus[168]

Timon of Jericho An innkeeper at whose place Jesus could have left a cart lent by the inhabitants of Pella, embarrassed by their Home.[169]

Tobias, one of the servants of the Family of Bethany[170]

12 Characters encountered in Perea[edit | edit source]

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[171]

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.[172]

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.[173]

Levi, a rich character of Bethabara. The parents of the young Michael put the old Ananias deceased suddenly into the tomb he had built.[174]

Melchias, 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's go down to the ford. Melchias should be there with his sons. It's the right season for him. He will pass us by."[175]

8 Characters encountered in Philistia[edit | edit source]

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[176]

Ananias of Ashkelon. Philistine market gardener about 80 years old, widower of an Egyptian. He Homes Jesus in hostile land.[177]

Anibe (Lower Nile) and Nubi (Upper Nile), Egyptian servants of Ananias of Ashkelon, daughters of his slaves.[178]

Dina, a poor young girl from Ashkelon in Philistia. Her dying mother is healed by Jesus. She has three brothers, including Tolmé.[179] Her sailor father is dead.

Fara, notable Philistine of Magdalgad near Ashkelon. His Woman 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.[180]

Gatheo, a peasant in the service of Ananias of Ashkelon.[181]

42 Characters encountered on Lebanon and in Syro-Phœnicia[edit | edit source]

Alba, Anne, Mary, Sira. Women of Alexandroscene dreamed of by the soldier Fabius, garrisoned in this city.[182]

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.[183]

Aquila the triarius. Old Roman soldier of Alexandroscene who has countless scars on his Face, bare arms and calves. He served in Africa, Gaul:
"He was in the cruel forests that took Varus and his legions from us. He knows the Greeks and the Britons."
Aquila looks with sympathy at Jesus rejected by the crowd.[184]

Azio the legionnaire of Alexandroscene. He witnesses the miracles of Jesus[185]

Caius and Scipio. Two Roman legionnaires of Alexandroscene, rather favorable to Jesus, discussing Rome's attitude regarding an assembly caused by Jesus[186]

Cecilius Maximus, a Roman triarius of Alexandroscene who does not have a reputation for cleverness.( EMV 329)

Doro of Alexandroscene. A Phoenician who slyly mocks Samuel’s conversations about Jesus[187]

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.[188]

Fabius, a Roman triarius ("veteran") of the garrison of Alexandroscene. He is a womanizer: Anne, Sira, Alba, Mary… but he listens attentively to Jesus.[189]

James, Jacob, Melchias, Saul, Thomas, shepherds from Mount Hermon to whom Jesus appears. They have never seen him, but believe in him.[190]

James and his Woman, from Alexandroscene. Father of Joan, the little girl healed from a bone disease for which he and his Woman went bankrupt, selling his house to pay the doctors. His Woman confesses:
"James put hope in my Heart, telling me what happened by your power in Galilee and Judea.[191]
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.[192]

Jonas of Alexandroscene. A lame man healed.[193]

Mark of Alexandroscene. Old man healed of his poor eyesight.[194]

Melchias. Relative of the deaf-mute healed (Ephphatha) Father of Sara and Samuel. They had been visited by the Shepherd Disciples.[195]

Palma the little girl healed of a demon at the supplication of her mother, The Canaanite woman (Syro-Phoenician):
"The little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table!"[196]-[197]
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.[198]

Pudens. Roman legionnaire of the garrison of Alexandroscene. He witnesses the miracles of Jesus[199]

Sabin of Alexandroscene. A young Roman soldier who listens to Jesus:
"I would be enthusiastic too if I were a Woman and I would want him in my bed."[200]
Samuel, a resident of Alexandroscene, serious and bearded who quarrels with the Phoenician Doro about Jesus[201] Sira of Alexandroscene. She attends the preaching of Jesus[202]. Good and very young, she becomes widow of Zeno. She then goes to Jerusalem to her brother.
"She is one of your faithful. She told us that you can do everything," says one of the Women of the synagogue of the freedmen.[203]
Thomas, probably a shepherd, who talked about Jesus with shepherds from Lebanon.[204]

21 Characters encountered in Samaria[edit | edit source]

Abel of Sychar, a resident of this city of Samaria, met following the conversion of the Samaritan woman Photina[205]

Anna, a young child who enjoys Dina’s honey.[206]

Anne, a hostess from Ephraim who temporarily hosts the Apostles at the arrival of the Women Disciples[207]

Aquila, Roman soldier of the Italic legion, garrisoned at Caesarea on the Sea, met while Jesus escorts Jonas dying.[208]

Elijah of Ephraim, one of the Samaritans who guide Jesus by a shortcut, towards Shiloh[209]

Ephrem, the healed leper with nine others near Ephraim. He is the only one to return and praise God in his Messiah.[210]. 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.[211]

John of Ephraim. His brother wants to sell his property. Mary of Jacob will probably buy it with the money Jesus brings him[212]

Joachim of Shechem, brings the offerings of Shechem to Jesus who distributes them to the poor.[213]

Jonas of Enon, a notable, witness of the redemption of young Benjamin[214]

Jorai of Sychar. A resident of this city of Samaria.[215]

Levi of Enon, a notable, witness of the redemption of young Benjamin[216]

Malachi of Lebonah : his deformed boy is healed by Jesus[217]

Naomi of Ephraim. She lives on the heights battered by the tramontane. This allows late picking of almond blossoms for the arrival of Mary[218]

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[219][220]

Rachel of Enon. In her lifetime, she protected the young shepherd Benjamin from the violence of her husband, Alexander[221]

Rachel of Ephraim. She supplies cheeses to the apostolic troupe.[222]

Rachel, her namesake from the same place, died in childbirth.[223]

Reuben of Dothan, the young paralyzed after a fall, whom Jesus healed at a distance at his father’s request.[224]

Simon, the Samaritan of Sychar. His Woman is healed of a possession. On this occasion, he shows great faith in Jesus[225]

Tamar (Palm tree in Hebrew) a little girl from Ephraim who absolutely wants to offer a bouquet of daisies to Jesus[226]

Timothy of Sychar A resident of this city of the Samaritan woman who comes to beg Jesus to stay longer.[227]

25 Characters encountered in Syria[edit | edit source]

Alphaeus, Lazarus, Myrtica and Hermas of Antioch. They are the children of Hermione and Dositheus, son of the steward of Lazarus at Antioch, Ptolmai.[228]

Amiclea, and her children Cassius and Theodore. A servant of Lazarus at Antioch. Proselyte and daughter of proselytes.[229]

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.[230]

Elbonide Danita and Simeon, a couple of servants of Lazarus in Antigonea[231]

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".[232]

Lucius of Antioch. Roman proselyte torn from servitude by Eucheria of Theophilus, the mother of Lazarus. Now servant in Antigonea.[233]

Marcel and his Woman Thecla. Marcel is a proselyte Roman, freed from slavery by Eucheria of Theophilus, the mother of Lazarus. His Woman, daughter of a proselyte, is sterile.[234]

Miriam and Sylvanus. A couple of servants of Lazarus in Antigonea. Sylvanus is from the tribe of Nephtali.[235]

Priscilla, Solon and their children Marius, CornElijah, 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.[236]

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.[237]

Saba of Antioch a servant of Berenice.[238]

2 Characters encountered in the Tetrarchy of Philip[edit | edit source]

Anne and Benjamin. Old childless couple who Homes the Disciples at Caesarea of Paneas. Evangelized by Isaac:
- "Benjamin and Anne Home not only us, but also those who come looking for you. They do it in your Name"
- "Ah! we have the means and no heirs. At the end of our life, we adopt as heirs the poor of the Lord".[239]

Notes and references[edit | edit source]

  1. Matthew 16:5-12 - Mark 8:14-21 - Luke 12:1-12 ; EMV 421.
  2. EMV 453
  3. EMV 289
  4. EMV 357
  5. EMV 420
  6. EMV 456
  7. EMV 455
  8. EMV 456
  9. EMV 456
  10. EMV 558 ; EMV 632.
  11. EMV 453
  12. EMV 357
  13. EMV 453
  14. EMV 465
  15. EMV 450
  16. EMV 450
  17. EMV 464
  18. Acts 16:1 ; EMV 406.
  19. EMV 287
  20. EMV 289
  21. EMV 487
  22. EMV 447
  23. EMV 460
  24. EMV 14
  25. EMV 100
  26. EMV 470
  27. EMV 315
  28. EMV 462
  29. EMV 242
  30. EMV 438
  31. EMV 448
  32. EMV 313
  33. EMV 266
  34. EMV 242
  35. EMV 242
  36. EMV 355
  37. EMV 562
  38. EMV 441
  39. EMV 210
  40. EMV 57
  41. EMV 460
  42. EMV 348
  43. EMV 584
  44. EMV 460
  45. EMV 192
  46. EMV 167
  47. EMV 100
  48. EMV 183
  49. EMV 97
  50. EMV 583
  51. EMV 583
  52. EMV 460
  53. EMV 110
  54. EMV 133
  55. EMV 242
  56. EMV 632
  57. EMV 472
  58. EMV 174
  59. EMV 100
  60. EMV 460
  61. EMV 355
  62. EMV 57
  63. EMV 466
  64. EMV 25
  65. EMV 262
  66. EMV 323
  67. EMV 584
  68. EMV 62
  69. EMV 355
  70. EMV 466
  71. John 4:46-54
  72. EMV 151
  73. EMV 323
  74. EMV 355
  75. EMV 632
  76. EMV 306
  77. EMV 460
  78. EMV 460
  79. EMV 280
  80. EMV 309
  81. EMV 242
  82. EMV 242
  83. EMV 182
  84. EMV 184
  85. EMV 225.4
  86. EMV 201
  87. EMV 488
  88. EMV 13
  89. EMV 8
  90. EMV 546
  91. EMV 74
  92. EMV 373
  93. EMV 546
  94. Jacob Neusner, Judaism at the Dawn of Christianity, Paris 1986, p.42.
  95. EMV 546
  96. EMV 201
  97. EMV 525
  98. EMV 546
  99. EMV 487
  100. EMV 546
  101. EMV 546
  102. EMV 546
  103. EMV 546
  104. EMV 225
  105. EMV 537
  106. EMV 115
  107. EMV 73
  108. EMV 536
  109. EMV 536
  110. EMV 374
  111. EMV 584
  112. EMV 534
  113. EMV 619
  114. EMV 590
  115. EMV 534
  116. EMV 375.
  117. John 5:1-47
  118. EMV 225
  119. EMV 612
  120. EMV 374
  121. EMV 499
  122. EMV 501
  123. EMV 223
  124. EMV 155
  125. EMV 155
  126. EMV 409
  127. EMV 130
  128. EMV 390
  129. EMV 370
  130. EMV 256
  131. EMV 120
  132. EMV 426
  133. EMV 538
  134. EMV 390
  135. EMV 74
  136. EMV 566
  137. EMV 425
  138. EMV 155
  139. EMV 381
  140. EMV 541
  141. EMV 541
  142. EMV 77
  143. EMV 280
  144. EMV 392
  145. EMV 155
  146. EMV 73
  147. EMV 76
  148. EMV 256
  149. EMV 489
  150. EMV 73
  151. EMV 548
  152. EMV 425
  153. EMV 489
  154. EMV 73
  155. EMV 405
  156. EMV 541
  157. EMV 223
  158. EMV 424
  159. EMV 532
  160. EMV 541
  161. EMV 538
  162. EMV 547
  163. EMV 73
  164. EMV 215
  165. EMV 392
  166. EMV 270
  167. EMV 426
  168. EMV 140
  169. EMV 352
  170. EMV 542
  171. EMV 134
  172. EMV 547
  173. EMV 358
  174. EMV 504
  175. EMV 361
  176. EMV 218
  177. EMV 218
  178. EMV 218
  179. EMV 218
  180. EMV 220
  181. EMV 218
  182. EMV 329
  183. EMV 331
  184. EMV 329
  185. EMV 329
  186. EMV 329
  187. EMV 329
  188. EMV 103
  189. EMV 329
  190. EMV 632/631
  191. EMV 331
  192. EMV 505
  193. EMV 329
  194. EMV 329
  195. EMV 341
  196. EMV 331
  197. Matthew 15:21-28
  198. EMV 329
  199. EMV 329
  200. EMV 329
  201. EMV 329
  202. EMV 329
  203. EMV 534
  204. EMV 215
  205. EMV 146
  206. EMV 565
  207. EMV 567
  208. EMV 109
  209. EMV 568
  210. Luke 17:11-19
  211. EMV 483
  212. EMV 568
  213. EMV 557
  214. EMV 574
  215. EMV 146
  216. EMV 574
  217. EMV 570
  218. EMV 566/567
  219. EMV 507
  220. EMV 109
  221. EMV 574
  222. EMV 565
  223. EMV 567
  224. EMV 482
  225. EMV 147
  226. EMV 564
  227. EMV 146
  228. EMV 323
  229. EMV 323
  230. EMV 324
  231. EMV 323
  232. EMV 323
  233. EMV 323
  234. EMV 323
  235. EMV 323
  236. EMV 323
  237. EMV 73
  238. EMV 324
  239. EMV 344