Cornelius the Centurion

When was Cornelius active?

Cornelius the Centurion is dated fl. c. 37 (trad. later bishop of Caesarea) in the archive, which places Cornelius 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 Cornelius?

Cornelius the Centurion is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Luke, The Constitutions' compiler and John Chrysostom. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Cornelius from?

The archive associates Cornelius the Centurion with Caesarea Maritima.

Who were Cornelius’ contemporaries?

The archive links Cornelius the Centurion to 4 other figures, including Simon Peter, Simon the Tanner, The Centurion at the Cross and Gaianus, also called Porphyrius. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Of Caesarea of Palestine, the first was Zacchaeus, who was once a publican; after whom was Cornelius, and the third Theophilus.

This man is not a Jew, nor of those under the Law, but he had already forestalled our manner of life. … Observe, thus far, two persons, both of high rank, receiving the faith, the eunuch at Gaza and this man … But do not imagine that this was because of their high rank: God forbid! it was because of their piety. For that the Scripture mentions their dignified stations, is to show the greatness of their piety; since it is more wonderful when a person being in a position of wealth and power is such as these were. … The great praise of the latter is, that he makes alms and prayers, and is a just man, holding such a command. … Let us hear this, whoever of us neglect them of our own house, whereas this man was careful of his soldiers also. Both his doctrines and his life were right. … At the sight, there was fear, but a fear in moderation, just so far as served to fix his attention. … The fear roused him: the praise mitigated what was unpleasant in the fear. … Observe the unassuming character of the man: for he does not say, Call Peter to me: but, in order also to induce him to come, he declared the whole matter … for he did not choose to use the authority of his rank to fetch Peter to him. … Such are the pains taken for the bringing of Cornelius to the faith, that both an angel is sent, and the Spirit works, and the chief of the Apostles is fetched to him, and such a vision is shown, and, in short, nothing is left undone. How many centurions were there not besides, and tribunes, and kings, and none of them obtained what this man did! Hear, all ye that are in military commands, all ye that stand beside kings. … He was as the common father of those with him, and of all the others under his command.