Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Two degrees of separation

In my interest to know how closely various people knew Jesus, I have also made a list of those in the New Testament recorded as having directly known someone who knew Jesus. Again, we have many unnamed people who met Jesus' disciples or the beneficiaries of his healings, but are not included here because they are not named.

Below is a list of people named in the New Testament who had known someone with one degree of separation from Jesus. Again, if someone shows up briefly (e.g. during a trial or hearing) but shows no interest in the Christian message, they are not included.




IDPersonConnection to JesusReferenceHometown or region
2-01AeneasHealed by PeterActs 9:32-35Lydda
2-02AristarchusMet James when visiting Jerusalem with Paul.

Other points of interest: also met Philip the evangelist and deacon (Acts 21:8).
Acts 20:4, Acts 21:17-18Thessalonica
2-03Barnabas aka JosephMet Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem; met Peter again when Peter came to Antioch

Other points of interest: also related to Mark.
Acts 4:36, Galatians 2:1, 2:9, 2:13. Colossians 4:10.Originally from Cyprus
2-04CorneliusHad Peter to his home and learned of Jesus from PeterActs 10Caesarea
2-05Dorcas aka TabithaRaised from the dead by Peter.Acts 9:36-42Joppa
2-06Judas BarsabbasKnew at least Peter and James. By his own reputation as being mentioned in Jerusalem as among the leaders of the church, he probably knew them before the meeting recorded in Acts 15. If the meeting in Acts 15 is the same as described in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, then Judas Barsabbas would also have known John.Acts 15:22Possibly Jerusalem
2-07LukeMet at least James when traveling to Jerusalem.

Other points of interest: also knew Mark first-hand. See Philemon vv. 23-24, Colossians 4:10, 14. Another meeting besides these is also suggested in 2 Timothy 4:11-13.
Beginning at Acts 16:10, Luke is at times traveling with Paul and recording the action first-hand. Records in first person where he went to Jerusalem and met at least James (Acts 21:17-18). Possibly Troas
2-08Mark aka John MarkCompanion of Peter. Peter singles him out to call him his “son”. Considered by the church of Alexandria to have been the first bishop of the church at Alexandria.

Other points of interest: knew Luke and Paul first-hand; was related to Barnabas.
1 Peter 5:13Possibly Jerusalem originally; his mother’s home was there.
2-09Mary, mother of MarkKnew Peter first-hand and had him in her home at least once. Acts 12:12Jerusalem
2-10NicanorAppointed as a deacon by “the Twelve”Acts 6:2-6Jerusalem
2-11Nicholas of AntiochAppointed as a deacon by “the Twelve”Acts 6:2-6By how he is named, probably originally from Antioch, though seems to have been living in Jerusalem
2-12ParmenasAppointed as a deacon by “the Twelve”Acts 6:2-6Jerusalem
2-13Paul aka SaulStayed for 15 days with Peter. Met with Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem. Met Peter again in Antioch. Acts 15, Galatians 1:18, Galatians 2:1-19, 11-14. Originally from Tarsus, probably studied in Jerusalem, traveled extensively.
2-14PhilipAppointed as a deacon by “the Twelve”Acts 6:2-6Jerusalem
2-15ProcorusAppointed as a deacon by “the Twelve”Acts 6:2-6Jerusalem
2-16RhodaFamiliar enough with Peter to recognize his voice through the door. Servant girl in the house of Mary, mother of Mark. Acts 12:13-14Jerusalem
2-17SecundusMet James when visiting Jerusalem with Paul.

Other points of interest: also met Philip the evangelist and deacon (Acts 21:8).
Acts 20:4, Acts 21:17-18Thessalonica
2-18SilasKnew at least Peter and James. By his own reputation as being mentioned in Jerusalem as among the leaders of the church, he probably knew them before the meeting recorded in Acts 15. If the meeting in Acts 15 is the same as described in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, then Judas Barsabbas would also have known John.

Helped Peter write 1 Peter.

Other points of interest: based on 1 Peter, would also have known Mark.
Acts 15:22;
1 Peter 5:12
Possibly originally from Jerusalem
2-19Simon the TannerHost to Peter during his stay in JoppaActs 9:43 and followingJoppa
2-20Sopater son of PyrrhusMet James when visiting Jerusalem with Paul.

Other points of interest: also met Philip the evangelist and deacon (Acts 21:8).
Acts 20:4, Acts 21:17-18Berea
2-21StephenAppointed as a deacon by “the Twelve”Acts 6:2-6Jerusalem
2-22TimonAppointed as a deacon by “the Twelve”Acts 6:2-6Jerusalem
2-23TitusAccompanied Paul on a visit to Jerusalem when Paul was meeting with Peter, James, and John.

Other points of interest: Received a personal letter from Paul; also knew Tychicius.
Galatians 2:1 and 2:9; Letter to Titus 
2-24TrophimusMet James when visiting Jerusalem with Paul.

Other points of interest: also met Philip the evangelist and deacon (Acts 21:8).
Acts 20:4, Acts 21:17-18Province of Asia
2-25TychicusMet James when visiting Jerusalem with Paul.

Other points of interest: also met Philip the evangelist and deacon (Acts 21:8). Seen with Paul during his imprisonment and is listed in the same greetings chain as Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus Justus, Luke, and Demas.
Acts 20:4, Acts 21:17-18 among others. Province of Asia

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