Publius Quintilianus
Roman Roman officer, imbued with humanity and favorable to Jesus whom he opposes while he is escorting Jonas dying to Nazareth. He allows them to ride in his chariot:
"If it is You, then… get on as many as you can. But don’t let anyone see you… It is an order… but above orders there is also humanity, isn’t there? You are good, I know. [...] Remember Publius Quintilianus of the Italica legion. I stay at Caesarea. But I am now going to Ptolemais. Inspection order."[1]
He takes the opportunity to ask Jesus questions, who answers him.[2] This good man joyfully meets Jesus coming to Caesarea where he speaks to the galley slaves. This speech moves Publius, Syntyche and Claudia Procula.[3]
He is the one who will ask Claudia for permission to give food to the galley slaves and oversees their distribution.
Publius knows John of Endor[4] who supplied him with chickens. He is surprised to find him with the apostolic group at Engannim, while escorting the Roman women for Passover in Jerusalem.[5] He takes the occasion to confidentially inform Jesus about the slightly improved road security at present thanks to Roman soldiers.
Then he helps Peter who is carrying the young orphan Jabez,[6] whom his unfortunate grandfather entrusted to Jesus for protection from the cruel Doras.[7]
Later, he gladly listens, together with the Roman women, to the teaching of Jesus.[8]
Apostolic career[edit | edit source]
Transferred to Antioch where he becomes tribune, one of the six senior officers commanding a legion, he is approached by Syntyche who judges that:
"[he] has a righteous heart under his chlamys [...] [he] admires You as a perfect rhetor, as a ‘divine’ philosopher, as he says, is not hostile to Wisdom, even if he cannot as yet accept the Truth."[9]
His name[edit | edit source]
Roman name.
Where is he mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ GRM 109.13-14
- ↑ GRM 109.14
- ↑ GRM 154.6
- ↑ GRM 192.6
- ↑ GRM 192.5
- ↑ Future adopted son of Peter. He will later bear the name Marjiam (Martial, Jabez) (Marjiam), then Martial.
- ↑ GRM 192.6
- ↑ GRM 204.3-9
- ↑ GRM 461.19