As I prepared for next week’s women’s Bible study at church, I came across an intriguing name: Manaen. As far as I know, this man is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible except in Acts 13. Scripture says he was brought up with Herod Antipas. Whoa! This man, a believer in Christ, was a childhood friend of Herod Antipas, the one who ordered John the Baptist beheaded? Talk about divergent paths! So, of course I, who love a good mystery, began weaving possible scenarios. What had caused one to come to believe in Jesus, the Son of God while the other followed a far different path? In Luke 13:32, the Lord refers to Herod as “that fox”; yet in Acts 13, Herod’s long ago friend Manaen is listed among the prophets and teachers of Jesus.
What caused such a chasm to separate these two men, Herod and Manaen? Was Herod merely a victim of being born into a malicious ruling family? Was he forced to make the deadly decisions he would be known for? Or did he have a choice? Maybe it was the influence of their parents. Perhaps Herod was never taught right from wrong and made his political ambitions his god. I wonder.
I would like to know more about Manaen and why he chose to follow a road that went away from Herod and toward Christ. Many times what children are taught becomes the inner light that guides them in later life. The plot I’m weaving involves Manaen’s mother who loved him and told him not to be influenced by his royal peer. So, let’s suppose that Manaen knew the truth. Even knowing that, he still had choices. Did he have to decide between a position in the king’s court and the uncertain life of a Christ-follower? One choice might have given him power and wealth with a final destination of eternal death. The other, the one Manaen chose, led to being numbered with those who were often persecuted but whose final destination was eternal life.
So, that brief mention of a man of firm convictions leads me to wonder about him, his early life, when he decided to follow Christ, and what happened to him as a believer. Perhaps his legacy to us is an example of standing firm against evil; of daring to say No. He fades into obscurity but his name is inscribed in Scripture. Manaen, man of mystery.
God uses those who are willing to be used in His way. Very interesting, thanks, Blanche!
Thanks for writing, Norma. Sorry I’m so slow about answering. Yes, the story of Manaen is a fascinating one.
I was reading Acts 13 this morning and that name and his relationship to King Herod grabbed me too Whoa! is right Never paid any attention to him before Started me wondering, did he witness to King Herod? Probably so It’s about choice isn’t it Thank you for this thought Thank you Jesus for choosing me!
Linda Roundtree
Thanks for writing, Linda. I love coming upon little-known people and researching to see who they were and why they were important. I’ve often tried to imagine what Manaen’s life might have been and why there was such a wide difference between him and King Herod. I’ve wondered if Manaen had a godly mother and that made the difference! Just a thought because I sure don’t know.
Hi Blanche, I came across your site by chance, and Im wondering how you are progressing with the plot for your story of Manaen? He is someone who caught my interest too. FYI I recently came across a body of work written by Maria Valtorta, thinking it might be of interest to you. Her works have had some interesting research done on it by various people over the years, leading credence to its authenticity. According to MV, Manaen was actually a disciple of Jesus for the time of his ministry
https://archive.org/details/MariaValtortaTHEGOSPELASREVEALEDTOMEVol.7/page/n2/mode/2up
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/9/11/373
http://www.valtorta.org.au/TheDefence.html
Thanks for writing, Antonia. Yes, Manaen’s story is an interesting one.
Manahem and those close to the herodians were the the first gentile / hellenistic / greek christians in and around jerusalem other than the brothers of jesus
That’s interesting. Thanks for writing.
Hi Blanche I ran across an account in Ken Johnson’s Dead Sea Scrolls studies regarding monogam according to this account manahim was a young boy he met Herod and prophesied that Herod would become the king and then when that happened Herod remembered monachen and invited him into his Palace I found that very interesting bob
Bob, that is very interesting. Thanks for the information. He was an interesting character who was just briefly mentioned.