Who is Apollonius?

Origins and Historical Context

Apollonius does not appear within the standard Protestant canon of Scripture (the 66 books from Genesis to Revelation). Instead, references to individuals bearing the name “Apollonius” arise in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are included in the Deuterocanonical writings by some Christian traditions and viewed as Apocryphal literature or historical references by others. While these texts are not part of the Hebrew Bible or the standard Protestant Old Testament, they provide a valuable historical backdrop to the period of Greek (Hellenistic) influence in Judea.

Several historical figures named Apollonius were active during the tumultuous era when Greek rulers attempted to exert control over the Jewish people. Most commonly, these references involve military or administrative officials who played roles in the conflicts between the Seleucid Empire (a major Hellenistic kingdom after the conquests of Alexander the Great) and the Jewish rebels known as the Maccabees.

Apollonius in 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees

Because the Berean Standard Bible does not include 1 and 2 Maccabees as part of its published text, direct quotations from these books must be drawn from another source. Nonetheless, the historical passages mentioning Apollonius can be summarized:

1. In 1 Maccabees 3:10–11, Apollonius is introduced as a governor under Seleucid authority (some texts call him governor of Samaria). He engages in battle against Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Jewish revolt. The text describes how Apollonius is defeated in battle, illustrating the early successes of Judas and his followers.

2. In 2 Maccabees 4:1, an Apollonius is associated with the political disturbances and intrigues within Jerusalem, highlighting conflicts among Hellenistic and traditional Jewish factions.

3. In other parts of 2 Maccabees, the name Apollonius appears in various administrative or military contexts, often reflecting the broader struggle of the Jewish community to preserve its identity under Hellenistic pressures.

From these references, it is evident that one or multiple officials named Apollonius played material roles in attempts to quash the Maccabean revolt. The accounts also underscore how the Jewish rebels, relying on their faith in the God of Israel, overcame or resisted those who would oppress their people.

Apollonius of Tyana (Extra-Biblical Figure)

Another notable figure bearing the name Apollonius—though not found in Scripture—is Apollonius of Tyana (1st century AD). He was a Greek philosopher, often associated with Neopythagorean thought. Ancient sources such as Philostratus (in “Life of Apollonius of Tyana”) depict him as a wandering teacher said to have performed unusual feats or signs. Due to his purported miracles, some in later centuries tried to draw parallel comparisons between him and Jesus Christ.

From a biblical perspective, there is no direct link between Apollonius of Tyana and the Jesus attested in the New Testament. Archaeological and textual evidence for Apollonius of Tyana’s life remains secondary and of a different nature than the robust manuscript tradition for the Gospels and the letters of Paul. Moreover, the earliest Christian writings (e.g., the canonical Gospels in the first century AD) do not reference Apollonius of Tyana at all. He thus stands apart as a purely extra-biblical individual whose story, while historically intriguing, should not be conflated with or mistaken for genuine New Testament accounts of Jesus.

Common Confusion: Apollonius vs. Apollos

It is worth clarifying that “Apollonius” should not be confused with “Apollos,” mentioned in the New Testament:

• Apollos appears in Acts 18:24: “Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the Scriptures.”

• He becomes an influential teacher in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4–6) and is closely associated with Paul’s ministry.

These are two entirely different individuals. Apollonius (as found in the Apocryphal Maccabees or in extrabiblical history) bears no direct relation to the Apollos who ministered in the early Church.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

Although the name Apollonius may appear in multiple records from the Hellenistic period, precise confirmations often derive from:

• Fragments of Seleucid inscriptions tracing local governors or military leaders by name.

• Historical works of Josephus (1st-century Jewish historian), who, while not frequently detailing Apollonius by name, does describe the period of Greek rule and the Maccabean conflict in his “Antiquities of the Jews.”

• Various coin inscriptions and papyri that shed light on Hellenistic administration in the region, confirming the presence of Greek officials in Samaria, Jerusalem, and surrounding territories.

These archaeological and textual sources uphold the broad historical context in which Apollonius, a Hellenistic official, clashed with Jewish resistance fighters during the Maccabean era.

Significance in Biblical Study

1. Historical Insight: References to Apollonius in 1 and 2 Maccabees highlight the cultural and religious tensions of the intertestamental period. This era, though not covered in the standard Protestant Old Testament, shapes the historical stage into which Christ would eventually be born (Galatians 4:4: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son…”).

2. Illustration of Conflict: Apollonius symbolizes the lawless or oppressive Hellenistic rulers who were intent on subduing Jewish worship and culture. His confrontations with the Maccabees exemplify the repeated scriptural theme that God’s people often face opposition, yet rely on divine providence and covenant promises.

3. Apologetics and Manuscript Context: While Apollonius is not central to canonical theology, his attestation in Maccabean texts and possible references in Greek inscriptions reinforce the broader historical milieu in which the Jewish people lived. Evaluations of these accounts can assist apologists and historians in understanding the political forces leading up to the New Testament era.

4. Avoiding Confusion in New Testament Studies: Recognition that “Apollonius” differs from the eloquent teacher “Apollos” in Acts safeguards against mistaken identity and misinterpretation of New Testament passages.

Conclusion

Apollonius is a naam (name) that emerges outside the standard Protestant canon, primarily in the historical records of the Maccabees, and in extrabiblical references to Apollonius of Tyana. Within the Apocryphal narratives, Apollonius generally represents Greek (Seleucid) authority in conflict with the Jewish freedom fighters led by the Maccabees. In the context of biblical study, he illustrates the pressures Jewish believers faced during a period that laid critical historical groundwork for the coming of the Messiah.

Apollonius of Tyana, on the other hand, remains a biography written decades later and has no recognized scriptural connection. Distinguishing him from both the Apollonius of the Maccabean era and the New Testament Apollos ensures clear, accurate understanding of the historical and theological developments leading up to the birth of Christ and the establishment of the early Church.