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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Narcissus</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/n/narcissus.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/romans/16-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/n/narcissus.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Narcissus</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/n/narcissism.htm" title="Narcissism">◄</a> Narcissus <a href="/topical/n/narcis'sus.htm" title="Narcis'sus">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Narcissus is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans. The reference to Narcissus is found in <a href="/romans/16-11.htm">Romans 16:11</a>, where Paul writes, "Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord" . This brief mention provides a glimpse into the early Christian community in Rome and highlights the presence of believers within the household of Narcissus.<br><br><b>Historical Context</b><br><br>The name Narcissus was common in the Roman world, and it is likely that the Narcissus mentioned by Paul was a prominent figure, possibly a freedman or a wealthy individual with a large household. During the first century, it was not uncommon for entire households, including family members, servants, and slaves, to convert to Christianity. The mention of "those who belong to the household of Narcissus" suggests that there were multiple believers within this household, indicating the spread of the Christian faith across different social strata in Rome.<br><br><b>Possible Identification</b><br><br>Some scholars have speculated that this Narcissus might be identified with a well-known freedman of Emperor Claudius, who wielded significant influence in the imperial court. This Narcissus was a powerful figure until his downfall and execution under Emperor Nero. However, there is no definitive evidence to confirm that the Narcissus mentioned by Paul is the same individual. The name's commonality in Roman society makes it difficult to draw a direct connection.<br><br><b>Spiritual Significance</b><br><br>The reference to Narcissus's household in <a href="/bsb/romans/16.htm">Romans 16</a> underscores the early church's diversity and the reach of the Gospel message. It reflects the transformative power of Christianity, which transcended social and economic boundaries, bringing together people from various walks of life into the body of Christ. The inclusion of Narcissus's household in Paul's greetings also highlights the importance of community and fellowship among believers, as well as the role of households as centers for worship and teaching in the early church.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>From a theological perspective, the mention of Narcissus's household serves as a reminder of the communal nature of the Christian faith. The early church was not merely a collection of isolated individuals but a network of interconnected communities bound by their shared faith in Jesus Christ. This interconnectedness is a testament to the unity and love that characterized the early believers, as they supported and encouraged one another in their spiritual journeys.<br><br>In summary, while little is known about Narcissus himself, the mention of his household in the Epistle to the Romans provides valuable insight into the early Christian community's composition and the Gospel's impact on diverse groups within the Roman Empire.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Narcissus</span><p>astonishment; stupidity<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Narcissus</span><p>(<i>stupidity</i>), a dweller at Rome, (<a href="/romans/16-11.htm">Romans 16:11</a>) some members of whose household were known us Christians to St. Paul. Some have assumed the identity of this Narcissus with the secretary of the emperor Claudius; but this is quite uncertain.<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Narcissus</span><p>A Roman, many of whose household Paul salutes as Christians, <a href="/romans/16-11.htm">Romans 16:11</a>. Two men of this name are mentioned in Roman histories of that time; one, executed three or four years before Paul wrote, was a favorite of the emperor Claudius; the other, of Nero his successor. </p><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Daffodil, a Roman whom Paul salutes (<a href="/romans/16-11.htm">Romans 16:11</a>). He is supposed to have been the private secretary of the emperor Claudius. This is, however, quite uncertain. <a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) A beautiful youth fabled to have been enamored of his own image, and to have been changed into the flower called Narcissus.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) A genus of endogenous bulbous plants with handsome flowers, having a cup-shaped crown within the six-lobed perianth, and comprising the daffodils and jonquils of several kinds.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">NARCISSUS</span><p>nar-sis'-us (Narkissos): In <a href="/romans/16-11.htm">Romans 16:11</a> Paul sends greetings to "them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord." "The last words may suggest that, though only the Christians in this household have a greeting sent to them, there were other members of it with whom the church had relations" (Denney).<br><br>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 A.D. 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.<br><br>S. F. Hunter<p><a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/3488.htm"><span class="l">3488. Narkissos -- <b>Narcissus</b>, a Roman</span></a> <br><b>...</b> <b>Narcissus</b>, a Roman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Narkissos Phonetic<br> Spelling: (nar'-kis-sos) Short Definition: <b>Narcissus</b> Definition <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3488.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_ix_the_miracles_of_narcissus.htm"><span class="l">The Miracles of <b>Narcissus</b>.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Book VI. Chapter IX."The Miracles of <b>Narcissus</b>. 1. The citizens of that<br> parish mention many other miracles of <b>Narcissus</b>, on the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix the miracles of narcissus.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_xii_the_bishops_in_jerusalem.htm"><span class="l">The Bishops in Jerusalem.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Jerusalem. 1. At this time <b>Narcissus</b> [1530] was the bishop of the church<br> at Jerusalem, and he is celebrated by many to this day. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xii the bishops in jerusalem.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_xi_alexander.htm"><span class="l">Alexander.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 1. But as on account of his great age <b>Narcissus</b> was no longer able to perform his<br> official duties, [1822] the Providence of God called to the office with him <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter xi alexander.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/jerome_and_gennadius_lives_of_illustrious_men_/chapter_lxii_alexander.htm"><span class="l">Alexander</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Alexander, [2476] bishop of Cappadocia, desiring to visit the Holy Land, came to<br> Jerusalem, at the time when <b>Narcissus</b>, bishop of this city, already an old man <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter lxii alexander.htm</font><p><a href="/library/alexander/the_writings_of_alexander_of_cappadocia/translators_biographical_notice.htm"><span class="l">Translator's Biographical Notice.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of a church in Cappadocia, but on his visiting Jerusalem he was appointed to the<br> bishopric of the church there, while the previous bishop <b>Narcissus</b> was alive <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the writings of alexander of cappadocia/translators biographical notice.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/two_households.htm"><span class="l">Two Households</span></a> <br><b>...</b> '... Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.11. ... Greet them that be<br> of the household of <b>Narcissus</b>, which are in the Lord.'"Romans 16:10, 11. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/two households.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/tryphena_and_tryphosa.htm"><span class="l">Tryphena and Tryphosa</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and their names may indicate that they at least inherited a tendency to exclusiveness;<br> yet here they occur immediately after the household of <b>Narcissus</b> and in <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/tryphena and tryphosa.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_x_the_bishops_of_jerusalem.htm"><span class="l">The Bishops of Jerusalem.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> <b>Narcissus</b> having departed, and no one knowing where he was, those presiding over<br> the neighboring churches thought it best to ordain another bishop. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the bishops of jerusalem.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_xxii_the_bishops_that_were.htm"><span class="l">The Bishops that were Well Known at this Time.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Theophilus [1683] presided at C??sarea in Palestine; and <b>Narcissus</b>, [1684] whom we<br> have mentioned before, still had charge of the church at Jerusalem. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxii the bishops that were.htm</font><p><a href="/library/athanasius/select_works_and_letters_or_athanasius/letter_xlvii_to_the_church_of.htm"><span class="l">Letter Xlvii. --To the Church of Alexandria on the Same Occasion.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> For you yourselves, beloved, are not ignorant what the successors of the ill-named<br> heresy of Eusebius did, namely Theodore, <b>Narcissus</b>, Valens, Ursacius, and <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xlvii to the church of.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/n/narcissus.htm"><span class="l"><b>Narcissus</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1. (n.) A beautiful youth fabled to have been enamored of his own image, and to<br> have been changed into the flower called <b>Narcissus</b>. <b>...</b><b>NARCISSUS</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/narcissus.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/narcis'sus.htm"><span class="l">Narcis'sus (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> <b>Narcissus</b>, Narcis'sus. Nard . <b>...</b> Romans 16:11 salute Herodion, my kinsman; salute<br> those of the 'household' of <b>Narcissus</b>, who are in the Lord; (See RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/narcis'sus.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rose.htm"><span class="l">Rose (279 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> only in these passages), rendered "rose" (RV marg., "autumn crocus"), is supposed<br> by some to mean the oleander, by others the sweet-scented <b>narcissus</b> (a native <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rose.htm - 37k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/caesar's.htm"><span class="l">Caesar's (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 7. Aristobulus and <b>Narcissus</b>: Ramsay (St. Paul the Traveler, etc., 353),<br> speaking of Lightfoot's conjectures, already referred to <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/caesar's.htm - 18k</font><p><a href="/topical/k/kinsman.htm"><span class="l">Kinsman (29 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Romans 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of <b>Narcissus</b>,<br> who are in the Lord. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/k/kinsman.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/narath.htm"><span class="l">Narath</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/narath.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/greetings.htm"><span class="l">Greetings (48 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Aristobulus. (WEY). Romans 16:11 Greetings to my countryman, Herodion; and to<br> the believing members of the household of <b>Narcissus</b>. (WEY). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/greetings.htm - 18k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/greet.htm"><span class="l">Greet (46 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the<br> household of <b>Narcissus</b>, who are in the Lord. (WEB KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/greet.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/relation.htm"><span class="l">Relation (86 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (BBE). Romans 16:11 Give my love to Herodion, my relation. Say a kind word to<br> those of the house of <b>Narcissus</b>, who are in the Lord. (BBE). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/relation.htm - 33k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/relative.htm"><span class="l">Relative (33 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Romans 16:11 Give my love to Herodion, my relation. Say a kind word to those<br> of the house of <b>Narcissus</b>, who are in the Lord. (See NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/relative.htm - 16k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/narcissism.html">What does the Bible say about narcissism? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/narcissus.htm">Narcissus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Narcissus (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/romans/16-11.htm">Romans 16:11</a></span><br />Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of <span class="boldtext">Narcissus</span>, who are in the Lord.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/songs/2-1.htm">Song of Songs 2:1</a></span><br />I am a <span class="boldtext">narcissus</span> of Sharon, A lily of the valleys.<br /><span class="source">(DBY)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/n/narcissism.htm">Narcissism</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/n/narcissus.htm">Narcissus</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/n/narcissus--a_believer_at_rome.htm">Narcissus: A Believer at Rome</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nard.htm">Nard (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/narcissus.htm">Narcissus (2 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/n/narcissism.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Narcissism"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Narcissism" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/n/narcis'sus.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Narcis'sus"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Narcis'sus" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>