The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
Aristarchus of Thessalonica
d. c. 64–67 (trad., under Nero) · Companion of Paul · “Fellow prisoner” · Thessalonica → Rome
The Apostolic Age
Who Aristarchus of Thessalonica was
A Macedonian of Thessalonica seized by the Ephesian mob in the theater riot, delegate of the Jerusalem collection, and companion of Paul’s prisoner-voyage — “Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us,” Luke notes as the ship sails for Italy. In Colossians Paul calls him “my fellowprisoner.” Tradition counts him a martyr at Rome under Nero, dying near the apostle he would not leave.
Common questions
When did Aristarchus die?
Aristarchus of Thessalonica is dated d. c. 64–67 (trad., under Nero) in the archive, which places Aristarchus in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Aristarchus?
Aristarchus of Thessalonica is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Paul, Luke the Evangelist and Paul of Tarsus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Aristarchus from?
The archive associates Aristarchus of Thessalonica with Thessalonica, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Aristarchus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Aristarchus of Thessalonica to 7 other figures, including Paul of Tarsus, Gaius of Macedonia, Secundus of Thessalonica and Luke the Evangelist. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Colossians 4:10
c. AD 55Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas…Paul · read ↗
Acts 19:29 (seized in the theatre at Ephesus)
c. AD 62Having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.Luke the Evangelist · read ↗
Philemon 1:24
c. AD 62Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.Paul of Tarsus · read ↗
Connected in the archive
People
- Paul of Tarsus
- Gaius of Macedonia
- Secundus of Thessalonica
- Luke the Evangelist
- Demetrius the Silversmith
- Jason of Thessalonica
- Jesus called Justus
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Aristarchus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.