Part of a series on the |
Bible |
---|
Outline of Bible-related topics Bible portal |
These are biblical figures unambiguously identified in contemporary sources according to scholarly consensus. Biblical figures that are identified in artifacts of questionable authenticity, for example the Jehoash Inscription and the bullae of Baruch ben Neriah, or who are mentioned in ancient but non-contemporary documents, such as David and Balaam,[n 1] are excluded from this list.
The Hebrew Bible, known in Judaism by the acronym Tanakh, is the collection of ancient writings that are considered sacred by both Jews and Christians. They tell the story of the Jewish people and their ancestors, starting from the creation narrative and concluding near the end of the 5th century BCE.
Although the first mention of the name 'Israel' in archaeology dates to the 13th century BCE,[1] contemporary information on the Israelite nation prior to the 9th century BCE is extremely sparse.[2] In the following centuries a small number of local Hebrew documents, mostly seals and bullae, mention biblical characters, but more extensive information is available in the royal inscriptions from neighbouring kingdoms, particularly Babylon, Assyria and Egypt.[2]
Name | Title | Date (BCE)[n 2] | Attestation and Notes | Biblical references[n 3] |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adrammelech | Prince of Assyria | fl. 681 | Identified as the murderer of his father Sennacherib in the Bible and in an Assyrian letter to Esarhaddon (ABL 1091), where he is called "Arda-Mulissi".[3][4] | Is. 37:38, 2 Kgs. 19:37† |
Ahab | King of Israel | c. 874 – c. 853 | Identified in the contemporary Kurkh Monolith inscription of Shalmaneser III[5] which describes the Battle of Qarqar and mentions "2,000 chariots, 10,000 soldiers of Ahab the Israelite" defeated by Shalmaneser.[6] | 1 Kgs. 17, 2 Chr. 18 |
Ahaz | King of Judah | c. 732 – c. 716 | Mentioned in a contemporary Summary Inscription of Tiglath-Pileser III which records that he received tribute from "Jehoahaz of Judah".[7] Also identified in royal bullae belonging to Ahaz himself[8] and his son Hezekiah.[9] | 2 Kgs. 16, Hos. 1:1, Mi. 1:1, Is. 1:1 |
Apries | Pharaoh of Egypt | 589–570 | Also known as Hophra; named in numerous contemporary inscriptions including those of the capitals of the columns of his palace.[10][11] Herodotus speaks of him in Histories II, 161–171.[12] | Jer. 44:30† |
Artaxerxes I | King of Persia | 465–424 | Widely identified with "Artaxerxes" in the book of Nehemiah.[13][14] He is also found in the writings of contemporary historian Thucydides.[15] Scholars are divided over whether the king in Ezra's time was the same, or Artaxerxes II. | Neh. 2:1, Neh. 5:14 |
Ashurbanipal | King of Assyria | 668 – c. 627 | Generally identified with "the great and noble Osnappar", mentioned in the Book of Ezra.[16][17] His name survives in his own writings, which describe his military campaigns against Elam, Susa and other nations.[18][19] | Ezr. 4:10† |
Belshazzar | Coregent of Babylon | c. 553–539 | Mentioned by his father Nabonidus in the Nabonidus Cylinder.[20] According to another Babylonian tablet, Nabonidus "entrusted the kingship to him" when he embarked on a lengthy military campaign.[21] | Dn. 5, Dn. 7:1, Dn. 8:1 |
Ben-hadad | King of Aram Damascus | early 8th century | Mentioned in the Zakkur Stele.[22] A son of Hazael, he is variously called Ben-Hadad/Bar-Hadad II/III. | 2 Kgs. 13:3, 2 Kgs. 13:24 |
Cyrus II | King of Persia | 559–530 | Appears in many ancient inscriptions, most notably the Cyrus Cylinder.[23] He is also mentioned in Herodotus' Histories. | Is. 45:1, Dn. 1:21 |
Darius I | King of Persia | 522–486 | Mentioned in the books of Haggai, Zechariah and Ezra.[24][25] He is the author of the Behistun Inscription. He is also mentioned in Herodotus' Histories. | Hg. 1:1, Ezr. 5:6 |
Esarhaddon | King of Assyria | 681–669 | His name survives in his own writings, as well as in those of his son Ashurbanipal.[26][27] | Is. 37:38, Ezr. 4:2 |
Evil Merodach | King of Babylon | c. 562–560 | His name (Akkadian Amēl-Marduk) and title were found on a vase from his palace,[28] and on several cuneiform tablets.[29] | 2 Kgs. 25:27, Jer. 52:31† |
Hazael | King of Aram Damascus | c. 842 – c. 800 | Shalmaneser III of Assyria records that he defeated Hazael in battle and captured many chariots and horses from him.[30] Most scholars think that Hazael was the author of the Tel Dan Stele.[31] | 1 Kgs. 19:15, 2 Kgs. 8:8, Am. 1:4 |
Hezekiah | King of Judah | c. 715 – c. 686 | An account is preserved by Sennacherib of how he besieged "Hezekiah, the Jew", who "did not submit to my yoke", in his capital city of Jerusalem.[32] A bulla was also found bearing Hezekia's name and title, reading "Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah".[9][33] | 2 Kgs. 16:20, Prv. 25:1, Hos. 1:1, Mi. 1:1, Is. 1:1 |
Hoshea | King of Israel | c. 732 – c. 723 | He was put into power by Tilgath-Pileser III, king of Assyria, as recorded in his Annals, found in Calah.[34] | 2 Kgs. 15:30, 2 Kgs. 18:1 |
Jehoash | King of Israel | c. 798 – c. 782 | Mentioned in records of Adad-nirari III of Assyria as "Jehoash of Samaria".[35][36] | 2 Kgs. 13:10, 2 Chr. 25:17 |
Jehoiachin | King of Judah | 598–597 | He was taken captive to Babylon after Nebuchadrezzar first captured Jerusalem. Texts from Nebuchadrezzar's Southern Palace record the rations given to "Jehoiachin king of the Judeans" (Akkadian: Ya'ukin sar Yaudaya).[37] | 2 Kgs. 25:14, Jer. 52:31 |
Jehu | King of Israel | c. 841 – c. 814 | Mentioned on the Black Obelisk.[30] | 1 Kgs. 19:16, Hos. 1:4 |
Johanan | High Priest of Israel | c. 410 – c. 371 | Mentioned in a letter from the Elephantine Papyri.[38] | Neh. 12:22–23 |
Jotham | King of Judah | c. 740 – c. 732 | Identified as the father of King Ahaz on a contemporary clay bulla, reading "of Ahaz [son of] Jotham king of Judah".[8] | 2 Kgs. 15:5, Hos. 1:1, Mi. 1:1, Is. 1:1 |
Manasseh | King of Judah | c. 687 – c. 643 | Mentioned in the writings of Esarhaddon, who lists him as one of the kings who had brought him gifts and aided his conquest of Egypt.[27][39] | 2 Kgs. 20:21, Jer. 15:4 |
Menahem | King of Israel | c. 752 – c. 742 | The annals of Tiglath-Pileser record that Menahem paid tribute him, as stated in the Books of Kings.[40] | 2 Kgs. 15:14–23 |
Mesha | King of Moab | fl. c. 840 | Author of the Mesha Stele.[41] | 2 Kgs. 3:4† |
Merodach-Baladan | King of Babylon | 722–710 | Named in the Great Inscription of Sargon II in his palace at Khorsabat.[42] Also called "Berodach-Baladan" (Akkadian: Marduk-apla-iddina). | Is. 39:1, 2 Kgs. 20:12† |
Nebuchadnezzar II | King of Babylon | c. 605–562 | Mentioned in numerous contemporary sources, including the inscription of the Ishtar Gate, which he built.[43] Also called Nebuchadrezzar (Akkadian: Nabû-kudurri-uṣur). | Ez. 26:7, Dn. 1:1, 2 Kgs. 24:1 |
Nebuzaradan | Babylonian official | fl. c. 587 | Mentioned in a prism in Istanbul (No. 7834), found in Babylon where he is listed as the "chief cook".[44][45] | Jer. 52:12, 2 Kgs. 25:8 |
Nebo-Sarsekim | Chief Eunuch of Babylon | fl. c. 587 | Listed as Nabu-sharrussu-ukin in a Babylonian tablet.[46][47] | Jer. 39:3† |
Necho II | Pharaoh of Egypt | c. 610 – c. 595 | Mentioned in the writings of Ashurbanipal[48] | 2 Kgs. 23:29, Jer. 46:2 |
Omri | King of Israel | c. 880 – c. 874 | Mentioned, together with his unnamed son or successor, on the Mesha Stele.[41] | 1 Kgs. 16:16, Mi. 6:16 |
Pekah | King of Israel | c. 740 – c. 732 | Mentioned in the annals of Tiglath-Pileser III.[34] | 2 Kgs. 15:25, Is. 7:1 |
Rezin | King of Aram Damascus | died c. 732 | A tributary of Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria and the last king of Aram Damascus.[49] According to the Bible, he was eventually put to death by Tiglath-Pileser. | 2 Kgs. 16:7–9, Is. 7:1 |
Sanballat | Governor of Samaria | fl. 445 | A leading figure of the opposition which Nehemiah encountered during the rebuilding of the walls around the temple in Jerusalem. Sanballat is mentioned in the Elephantine Papyri.[38][50] | Neh. 2:10, Neh. 13:28 |
Sargon II | King of Assyria | 722–705 | He besieged and conquered the city of Samaria and took many thousands captive, as recorded in the Bible and in an inscription in his royal palace.[51] His name, however, does not appear in the biblical account of this siege, but only in reference to his siege of Ashdod. | Is. 20:1† |
Sennacherib | King of Assyria | 705–681 | The author of a number of inscriptions discovered near Nineveh.[52] | 2 Kgs. 18:13, Is. 36:1 |
Shalmaneser V | King of Assyria | 727–722 | Mentioned on several royal palace weights found at Nimrud.[53] Another inscription was found that is thought to be his, but the name of the author is only partly preserved.[54] | 2 Kgs. 17:3, 2 Kgs. 18:9† |
Taharqa | Pharaoh of Egypt, King of Kush | 690–664 | Called "Tirhaka, the king of Kush" in the books of Kings and Isaiah.[55] Several contemporary sources mention him and fragments of three statues bearing his name were excavated at Nineveh.[56] | Is. 37:9, 2 Kgs. 19:9† |
Tattenai | Governor of Eber-Nari | fl. 520 | Known from contemporary Babylonian documents.[57][58] He governed the Persian province west of the Euphrates river during the reign of Darius I. | Ezr. 5:3, Ezr. 6:13 |
Tiglath-Pileser III | King of Assyria | 745–727 | Numerous writings are ascribed to him and he is mentioned, among others, in an inscription by Barrakab, king of Sam'al.[59] He exiled inhabitants of the cities he captured in Israel. | 2 Kgs. 15:29, 1 Chr. 5:6 |
Xerxes I | King of Persia | 486–465 | Called Ahasuerus in the books of Ezra and Esther.[17][60] Xerxes is known in archaeology through a number of tablets and monuments,[61] notably the "Gate of All Nations" in Persepolis. He is also mentioned in Herodotus' Histories. | Est. 1:1, Dn. 9:1, Ezr. 4:6 |
The deuterocanon consists of books and parts of books that are included in the Old Testament canon of the Eastern Orthodox and/or Roman Catholic churches, but are not part of the Jewish Tanakh, and are regarded as apocryphal by Protestants. In contrast to the Tanakh, which is preserved in Hebrew (with some Aramaic parts), the deuterocanonical books are preserved mainly in Koine Greek, though Hebrew and Aramaic fragments have been found among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
While the deuterocanon describes events between the eighth and second centuries BCE, most historically identifiable people mentioned in the deuterocanon lived around the time of the Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BCE), by which time Judea had become part of the Seleucid Empire. Coins featuring the names of rulers had become widespread and many of them were inscribed with the year number in the Seleucid era, allowing them to be dated precisely. First-hand information comes also from the Greek historian Polybius (c. 200 – c. 118 BCE), whose Histories covers much of the same period as the Books of Maccabees, and from Greek and Babylonian inscriptions.
Name[n 4] | Title | Date (BCE)[n 2] | Attestation and Notes | Scriptural references[n 3] |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alexander Balas | King of Asia[n 5] | 150–146 | Pretended to be a son of Antiochus Epiphanes, as he is also described in 1 Maccabees.[62] Mentioned in Polybius' Histories.[63] | 1 Macc. 10:1, 1 Macc. 11:1 |
Alexander the Great | King of Macedon | 336–323 | Referred to by Athenian orator Aeschines,[64][65] and identified on his coins.[66] | 1 Macc. 1:1, 1 Macc. 6:2 1 Macc. 1:10† |
Antiochus III the Great | King of Asia | 222–187 | Mentioned by contemporary historian Polybius.[67][68] and coins with his name have survived.[69] | 1 Macc. 1:10, 1 Macc. 8:6 |
Antiochus IV Epiphanes | King of Asia | 175–164 | Known from Polybius' Histories[70][71] and from contemporary coins.[72] | 1 Macc. 10:1, 2 Macc. 4:7 |
Antiochus V Eupator | King of Asia | 163–161 | Executed by his half-brother Demetrius I when he was 11 years old. Identified in an inscription from Dymi,[73] and on contemporary coins.[74] | 2 Macc. 2:20, 2 Macc. 13:1 |
Antiochus VI Dionysus | King of Asia | 145–142 | Reigned only nominally, as he was very young when his father died,[75] but he is identified on contemporary coins.[76] | 1 Macc. 11:39, 1 Macc. 12:39 |
Antiochus VII Sidetes | King of Asia | 138–129 | Dethroned the usurper Tryphon. Coinage from the period bears his name.[77] | 1 Macc. 15† |
Ariarathes V | King of Cappadocia | 163–130 | Mentioned by Polybius.[78][79] | 1 Macc. 15:22† |
Arsinoe III | Queen of Egypt | 220–204 | Married to her brother, Ptolemy IV. Several contemporary inscriptions dedicated to them have been found.[80] | 3 Macc. 1:1, 3 Macc. 1:4† |
Astyages | King of Medes | 585–550 | The contemporary Chronicle of Nabonidus refers to the mutiny on the battlefield as the cause for Astyages' overthrow [81] | Bel and the Dragon 1:1† |
Attalus II Philadelphus | King of Pergamon | 160–138 | Known from the writings of Polybius.[82][83] | 1 Macc. 15:22† |
Cleopatra Thea | Queen of Asia | 126–121 | First married to Alexander Balas,[84] later to Demetrius II and Antiochus VII, she became sole ruler after Demetrius' death.[85] Her name and portrait appear on period coinage.[85] | 1 Macc. 10:57–58† |
Darius III | King of Persia | 336–330 | Last king of the Achaemenid Empire, defeated by Alexander the Great. Mentioned in the Samaria Papyri.[86] | 1 Macc. 1:1† |
Demetrius I Soter | King of Asia | 161–150 | A cuneiform tablet dated to 161 BCE refers to him,[87] and Polybius, who personally interacted with Demetrius, mentions him in his Histories.[88][89] | 1 Macc. 7:1, 1 Macc. 9:1 |
Demetrius II Nicator | King of Asia | 145–138, 129 – 126 | Ruled over part of the kingdom, simultaneously with Antiochus VI and Tryphon. He was defeated by Antiochus VII, but regained the throne in 129 BCE. Mentioned in the Babylonian Astronomical Diaries.[90] | 1 Macc. 11:19, 1 Macc. 13:34 |
Diodotus Tryphon | King of Asia | 142–138 | Usurped the throne after the death of Antiochus VI. Although Antiochus VII melted down most of his coins, some have been found in Orthosias[disambiguation needed].[77] | 1 Macc. 11:39, 1 Macc. 12:39 |
Eumenes II Soter | King of Pergamom | 197–159 | Several of his letters have survived,[91] and he is mentioned by Polybius.[92] | 1 Macc. 8:8† |
Heliodorus | Seleucid legate | fl. 178 | Identified in contemporary inscriptions.[93][94] | 2 Macc. 3:7, 2 Macc. 5:18 |
Mithridates I | King of Parthia | 165–132 | Also called Arsaces.[82] He captured Demetrius II as recorded in the Babylonian Astronomical Diaries.[90] | 1 Macc. 14:2–3, 1 Macc. 15:22† |
Perseus | King of Macedon | 179–168 | Son of Philip V.[95] Mentioned by Polybius.[96] and identified on his coins.[97] | 1 Macc. 8:5† |
Philip II | King of Macedon | 359–336 | Father of Alexander the Great. Known from contemporary coins,[98] and mentioned by Aeschines.[64][65] | 1 Macc. 1:1, 1 Macc. 6:2† |
Philip V | King of Macedon | 221–179 | His name appears on his coins,[99] and in Polybius' Histories.[100] | 1 Macc. 8:5† |
Ptolemy IV Philopator | King of Egypt | 221–204 | Mentioned together with his wife and sister Arsinoe III in contemporary inscriptions from Syria and Phoenicia.[80] | 3 Macc. 1:1, 3 Macc. 3:12 |
Ptolemy VI Philometor | King of Egypt | 180–145 | Referred to in ancient inscriptions,[101] and mentioned by Polybius.[102] | 1 Macc. 1:18, 2 Macc. 9:29 |
By far the most important and most detailed sources for first-century Jewish history are the works of Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37 – c. 100 CE).[103][104] These books mention many of the same prominent political figures as the New Testament books and are crucial for understanding the historical background of the emergence of Christianity.[105] Josephus also mentions Jesus and the execution of John the Baptist[106] although he was not a contemporary of either. Apart from Josephus, information about some New Testament figures comes from Roman historians such as Tacitus and Suetonius and from ancient coins and inscriptions.
The central figure of the New Testament is Jesus of Nazareth. Despite ongoing debate concerning the authorship of many of its books, there is a consensus[14][107] among modern scholars that at least some were written by a contemporary of Jesus,[108][109] namely the epistles of Paul, parts of which are considered undisputed. However, outside the New Testament, no contemporary references to Jesus are known, unless a very early dating is assumed of some uncanonical gospel such as the Gospel of Thomas. Nevertheless, some authentic first century and many second century writings exist in which Jesus is mentioned,[n 6] leading scholars to conclude that the historicity of Jesus is well established by historical documents.[110][111][112]
Name[n 7] | Title | Attestation and Notes | Biblical references [n 3] |
---|---|---|---|
Augustus Caesar | Emperor of Rome | Reigned between 27 BCE and 14 CE, during which time Jesus was born. He left behind a wealth of buildings, coins and monuments,[113] including a funerary inscription in which he described his life and accomplishments. | Lk. 2:1† |
Caiaphas | High Priests of Israel | In 1990, workers found an ornate limestone ossuary while paving a road in the Peace Forest south of the Abu Tor neighborhood of Jerusalem.[114][115] This ossuary appeared authentic and contained human remains. An Aramaic inscription on the side was thought to read "Joseph son of Caiaphas" and on the basis of this the bones of an elderly man were considered to belong to the High Priest Caiaphas.[114][116] In 2011, archaeologists from Bar-Ilan University announced the recovery of a stolen ossuary, It is inscribed with the text: "Miriam, daughter of Yeshua, son of Caiaphas, Priest of Ma’aziah from Beth ‘Imri". Based on it, Caiaphas can be assigned to the priestly course of Ma’aziah, instituted by King David. | Jn. 18:13 Jn. 11:49 Lk. 3:2 |
Herod Antipas | Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea | A son of Herod the Great. Mentioned in Antiquities[117] and Wars of the Jews.[118] Both Matthew and Josephus record that he killed John the Baptist. | Lk. 3:1, Mt. 14:1 |
Herod Archelaus | Ethnarch of Judea, Samaria and Edom | A son of Herod the Great. He is known from the writings of Flavius Josephus[117] and from contemporary coins.[119] | Mt. 2:22† |
Herod the Great | King of Judea | Mentioned by his friend, the historian Nicolaus of Damascus.[120][121] His name is also found on contemporary Jewish coins.[119] | Mt. 2:1, Lk. 1:5 |
Herodias | Herodian princess | The wife of Herod Antipas.[122] According to the synoptic gospels, she was formerly married to Antipas's brother Philip, apparently Philip the Tetrarch. However, Josephus writes that her first husband was Herod II. Many scholars view this as a contradiction, but some have suggested that Herod II was also called Philip.[123] | Mt. 14:3, Mk. 6:17 |
James the brother of Jesus | Bishop of Jerusalem | A leading figure of the early Christian community in Jerusalem and traditionally considered the author of the Epistle of James. Papias says that he was the Son of Cleopas/Alphaeus and Josephus records that he was condemned by the Sanhedrin led by the high priest Ananus ben Ananus and then stoned to death c. 62 CE.[124][125][126] | Mk. 6:3, |
Matthew the Apostle | Tax collector | Papias of Hierapolis mentions that "Matthew put together the oracles of the Lord in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could."[126] | Lk. 6:15, Mt. 9:9 |
Philip the Apostle | Bishop of Hierapolis | On Wednesday, 27 July 2011, the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported that archaeologists had unearthed a tomb that the project leader claims to be the tomb of Saint Philip during excavations in Hierapolis close to the Turkish city Denizli. The Italian archaeologist, Professor Francesco D'Andria stated that scientists had discovered the tomb within a newly revealed church. He stated that the design of the tomb, and writings on its walls, definitively prove it belonged to the martyred apostle of Jesus.[127] | Jn 12:21 Jn 1:43 |
Philip the Tetrarch | Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis | Josephus writes that he shared the kingdom of his father with his brothers Herod Antipas and Herod Archelaus.[128] His name and title appear on coinage from the period.[129][130] | Lk. 1:3 |
Pontius Pilate | Prefect of Judea | He ordered Jesus' execution. A stone inscription was found that mentions his name and title: "[Po]ntius Pilatus, [Praef]ectus Iuda[ea]e" (Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judaea),[131][132] see Pilate Stone. He is mentioned by his contemporary Philo of Alexandria in his Embassy to Gaius (De Legatione ad Gaium, Περι αρετων και πρεσβειας προς Γαιον) | Mt. 27:2, Jn. 19:15–16 |
Quirinius | Governor of Syria | Conducted a census while governing Syria as reported by Luke and Josephus,[133] and confirmed by a tomb inscription of one Quintus Aemilius Secundus, who had served under him.[134] | Lk. 2:2† |
Thomas the Apostle | Papias of Hierapolis says that he was a disciple of Jesus[126] | Jn. 11:16, Jn. 14:5 | |
Tiberius Caesar | Emperor of Rome | Named in many inscriptions and on Roman coins. Among other accounts, some of his deeds are described by contemporary historian Velleius (died c. 31 CE).[135] | Lk. 3:1† |
Salome | Herodian princess | A daughter of Herodias.[122] Although she is not named in the Gospels, but referred to as 'the daughter of Herodias', she is commonly identified with Salome, Herodias' daughter, mentioned in Josephus' Antiquities.[136] | Mt. 14:6, Mk. 6:22† |
Simon Peter | Bishop of Rome | Mention by Ignatius of Antioch's Letter to the Romans and to the Smyrnaeans, Fragments from Papias's exposition of the oracles of the Lord, and the First Epistle to the Corinthians by Clement, who also says that Peter died as a martyr.[137][126][138][139] | Mt. 4:18–20, Mt. 16 |
Name[n 8] | Title | Attestation and Notes | Biblical references[n 3] |
---|---|---|---|
Ananias son of Nedebaios | High Priest of Israel | He held the office between c. 47 and 59 CE, as recorded by Josephus,[140] and presided over the trial of Paul. | Acts 23:2, Acts 24:1† |
Antonius Felix | Procurator of Judea | Mentioned by historians Josephus,[141] Suetonius[142] and Tacitus[143] He imprisoned the apostle Paul around the year 58 CE, two years before Porcius Festus replaced him.[144] | Acts 23:24, Acts 25:14 |
Apollos | Both Paul and Clement affirmed that he was a Christian in Corinth.[137] | 1 Cor 3:6 | |
Aretas IV Philopatris | King of the Nabateans | According to Paul, Aretas' governor in Damascus tried to arrest him. Besides being mentioned by Josephus,[145] his name is found in several contemporary inscriptions[146] and on numerous coins.[147] | 2 Cor. 11:32† |
Berenice | Herodian princess | A daughter of Herod Agrippa I. She appears to have had almost equal power to her brother Herod Agrippa II (with whom she was rumored to have an incestuous relationship, according to Josephus)[141] and is indeed called Queen Berenice in Tacitus' Histories.[148] | Acts 25:23, Acts 26:30 |
Claudius Caesar | Emperor of Rome | Like other Roman emperors, his name is found on numerous coins[149] and monuments, such as the Porta Maggiore in Rome. | Acts 11:28, Acts 18:2† |
Drusilla | Herodian princess | Married to Antonius Felix, according to the Book of Acts and Josephus' Antiquities.[141][150] | Acts 24:24† |
Gallio | Proconsul of Achaea | Full name Lucius Iunius Gallio Annaeanus. Seneca, his brother, mentions him in his epistles.[151] In Delphi, an inscription, dated to 52 CE, was discovered that records a letter by emperor Claudius, in which Gallio is also named as proconsul[152] | Acts 18:12–17† |
Gamaliel the Elder | Rabbi of the Sanhedrin | He is named as the father of Simon by Flavius Josephus in his autobiography.[153] In the Talmud he is also described as a prominent member of the Sanhedrin.[154] | Acts 5:34, Acts 22:3† |
Herod Agrippa I | King of Judea | Although his name is given as Herod by Luke,[n 9] and as Agrippa by Josephus,[155] the accounts both writers give about his death are so similar that they are commonly accepted to refer to the same person.[22][156] Hence many modern scholars call him Herod Agrippa (I). | Acts 12:1, Acts 12:21 |
Herod Agrippa II | King of Judea | He ruled alongside his sister Berenice. Josephus writes about him in his Antiquities,[141] and his name is found inscribed on contemporary Jewish coins.[119] | Acts 25:23, Acts 26:1 |
John of Patmos | Mentioned by the Fragments of Papias of Hierapolis and by his contemporary Ignatius of Antioch[157][126] | Rev. 1 | |
Judas of Galilee | Leader of a Jewish revolt. Both the Book of Acts and Josephus[133] tell of a rebellion he instigated in the time of the census of Quirinius.[158] | Acts 5:37† | |
Jude, brother of Jesus | Catholicoi of all Armenians | Papias Identifies him with Jude the Apostle, Saying that he was the Son of Mary of Cleophas and the brother of James[126] | Jude. 1 |
Nero Caesar | Emperor of Rome | Mentioned in Contemporary Coins,[159] Although he is not named in the Book of Revelation, the book mentions the number 666, theologians typically support the numerical interpretation that 666 is the equivalent of the name and title Nero[160] using the Hebrew numerology of gematria, and was used to secretly speak against the emperor. Also "Nero Caesar" in the Hebrew alphabet is Template:Rtl-lang NRON QSR, which when used as numbers represent 50 200 6 50 100 60 200, which add to 666. | Rev. 13:18 2 Thes. 2:3† |
Paul the Apostle | Mention by Ignatius of Antioch's Epistle to the Romans and Epistle to the Ephesians, Polycarp's Epistle to the Philippians, and in Clement of Rome's Epistle to the Corinthians, who also says that Paul Suffered martyrdom and that he had preached in the East and in the Far West[161][162][138][163] | Gal. 1, 1 Corinthians 1 | |
Porcius Festus | Governor of Judea | Succeeded Antonius Felix, as recorded by Josephus and the Book of Acts.[164][165] | Acts 24:27, Acts 26:25 |
These are Biblical figures for which tentative but likely identifications have been found in contemporary sources based on matching names and credentials. The possibility of coincidental matching of names cannot be ruled out however.
((cite web))
: Unknown parameter |deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)
((cite book))
: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)