Narcissus Νάρκισσος
Christian in Rome with a household
Biography
Narcissus is mentioned in Paul's letter to the Romans as someone in Rome who had a household of believers (Rom.16.11). Paul sends greetings to those in this household, implying that Narcissus was a prominent Christian, likely wealthy enough to have servants or extended family living with him. Some scholars speculate that he could have been the secretary of the Emperor Claudius, also named Narcissus, who lived during Paul's time. However, the name was common, and Scripture does not provide definitive proof of this connection.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentRomans 1 verse Study available
- Romans 16:11
"Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Νάρκισσος | G3488 |
Narcissus
ans in this household have a greeting sent to them, there were other members of it with whom the church had relations" (Denney).
Narcissus is a common name, especially among freedmen and slaves. But, as in the case of Aristobulus, some famous person of this name must be meant. Conybeare and Howson mention two, one the wellknown favorite of Claudius, the other a favorite of Nero. The latter, who was put to death by Galba (Dio Cass. lxiv.3), they think to be the Narcissus meant here (Paul, chapter xix). On the other hand, Bishop Lightfoot (Phil, 175) holds that "the powerful freedman Narcissus, whose wealth was proverbial (Juv. Sat. xiv.329), whose influence with Claudius was unbounded, and who bore a chief part in the intrigues of this reign, alone satisfies this condition." Shortly after the accession of Nero, he had been put to death by Agrippina (Tac. Ann. xiii.1;. Dio Cass. lx.34) in 54 AD. As this occurred three or four years before the Epistle to the Romans was written, some think another Narcissus is meant. However, as was usual in such cases, his property would be confiscated, and his slaves, becoming the property of the emperor, would swell "Caesar's household" as Narcissiani.
S. F. Hunter
nard.
See SPIKENARD.
nas'-bas (Nasbas, Codex Sinaiticus Nabad, read by Fritzsche): A name otherwise unknown. It occurs only in Tobit 11: