the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Narcissus
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
or
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.
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Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Narcissus'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/n/narcissus.html. 1915.
