Governors, centurions and emperors who meet Jesus and Paul.
| Person | Connections in this circle |
|---|---|
| Pilate A Roman ruler | Pilate and Antipas: enemies to friends Stated in the text Pilate, Barabbas, and Jesus Stated in the text |
| Herod A Tetrarch | Pilate and Antipas: enemies to friends Stated in the text |
| Jesus Son of Joseph | Pilate and Antipas: enemies to friends Stated in the text Pilate, Barabbas, and Jesus Stated in the text |
| Barabbas A notorious prisoner released instead of Jesus. | Pilate, Barabbas, and Jesus Stated in the text |
| Peter An apostle | Peter and Cornelius Stated in the text |
| Cornelius Centurion, first Gentile convert to Christianity | Peter and Cornelius Stated in the text |
| Simon A tanner in Joppa who hosted Peter. | Peter and Cornelius Stated in the text |
| Gallio Roman proconsul of Achaia; refused to judge Paul. | Gallio refuses to judge Paul Stated in the text Gallio and Claudius anchor Paul's dates Widely accepted |
| Paul An apostle | Gallio refuses to judge Paul Stated in the text Gallio and Claudius anchor Paul's dates Widely accepted Claudius Lysias rescues Paul Stated in the text Felix, Festus and the two years Stated in the text Tertullus accuses Paul Stated in the text Julius the centurion and Paul Stated in the text Publius of Malta hosts Paul Stated in the text Paul's appeal to Caesar Widely accepted |
| Crispus Synagogue leader in Corinth who believed in Jesus | Gallio refuses to judge Paul Stated in the text |
| Claudius Roman Emperor | Gallio and Claudius anchor Paul's dates Widely accepted |
| Lysias Roman commander who rescued Paul from a Jewish mob | Claudius Lysias rescues Paul Stated in the text |
| Felix Roman governor of Judea; heard Paul's case. | Claudius Lysias rescues Paul Stated in the text Felix, Festus and the two years Stated in the text Tertullus accuses Paul Stated in the text |
| Festus Roman governor of Judea; heard Paul's case; sent him to Rome. | Felix, Festus and the two years Stated in the text |
| Tertullus Lawyer who accused Paul before Governor Felix | Tertullus accuses Paul Stated in the text |
| Julius A centurion of the Augustan Cohort | Julius the centurion and Paul Stated in the text |
| Aristarchus Macedonian companion of Paul, fellow prisoner | Julius the centurion and Paul Stated in the text |
| Publius Chief official of Malta who hosted Paul | Publius of Malta hosts Paul Stated in the text |
| Luke Physician; companion of Paul; author of Luke and Acts | Publius of Malta hosts Paul Stated in the text |
| Nero Roman Emperor | Paul's appeal to Caesar Widely accepted |
Luke notes Pilate and Antipas were enemies before Jesus' appearance before Herod. Luke 13:1 mentions Pilate mixing Galileans' blood with their sacrifices, which may be the source of the tension.
Sources: Scripture
Pilate offered the crowd a choice between Barabbas, a notable prisoner, and Jesus. Barabbas was released, and Pilate scourged Jesus and handed him over.
Sources: Scripture
Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort at Caesarea, was told by an angel to send to Simon the tanner's house in Joppa for Peter. The first Gentiles received the Spirit there.
Sources: Scripture
The Jews of Corinth brought Paul to Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, who dismissed the charge as a matter of Jewish law. The synagogue ruler Crispus had believed.
Sources: Scripture
A Delphi inscription naming Gallio as proconsul under Claudius is used to date Paul's stay in Corinth to about AD 51-52, the best fixed point in Pauline chronology.
Sources: Delphi inscription (Claudius and Gallio)
Lysias, the tribune, rescued Paul from the temple mob, discovered he was a Roman citizen, and sent him to Felix with a letter. His Roman name Claudius suggests he acquired citizenship under the emperor Claudius, consistent with his remark that he bought it.
Sources: Scripture
Paul stayed two years in custody under Felix, who left him in prison to please the Jews. Festus succeeded Felix and Paul appealed to Caesar.
Sources: Scripture
Tertullus flattered Felix and accused Paul for the high priest's delegation.
Sources: Scripture
Julius treated Paul kindly at Sidon and later stopped soldiers from killing prisoners after the shipwreck to save Paul.
Sources: Scripture
Publius, chief man of Malta, hosted Paul and his company three days, and Paul healed his father.
Sources: Scripture
Paul appealed to Caesar, which in the late 50s AD means Nero. Philippians mentions the praetorium and Caesar's household. Nero is not named in the NT.
Sources: Scripture
Drafted with AI assistance from the biblical text and named historical sources, and labelled by how firmly each link is supported. Family links also draw on STEPBible’s TIPNR data (CC BY 4.0). Where tradition or hypothesis is involved, read the cited verses and judge for yourself.