Illustration created for this project.
Andronicus
A relative and fellow-prisoner of Paul, 'well known among the apostles' and a Christian before him.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 2
Family & lineage
Life, role & deeds
ScholarlyNo inscription or independent ancient author names this Andronicus; external material is confined to later church tradition, which lists him among the Seventy and, in Byzantine sources, makes him a bishop associated with Pannonia. This is a late commemorative tradition, not archaeological or eyewitness evidence.
Later tradition of the Seventy Disciples and Byzantine synaxaria (feast commemorations); no contemporary attestation.
Name & titles
ScholarlyAndronicus is a common Greek name, Andronikos, formed from anēr/andros ("man") and nikē ("victory"), roughly "conqueror of men" or "victorious man." That a Jewish Christian whom Paul calls his "kinsman" bears a purely Greek name reflects the thoroughly Hellenized milieu of diaspora Judaism.
Greek onomastics: Ἀνδρόνικος from ἀνήρ/ἀνδρός + νίκη; the name is widely attested for Greeks and Hellenized Jews in the period.