The name Aristobulus (Greek: Aristoboulos) means “best counselor” or “excellent advice.” The person bearing this name in the New Testament is unknown to us through any action or event, appearing only in the Apostle Paul’s greetings to the church in Rome. However, the mention of his household provides significant insight into the social reach of the Gospel.
The Brief Biblical Mention
Aristobulus is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Romans 16:10, as Paul closes his comprehensive letter to the Roman believers with a series of personal greetings:
“Salute Aristobulus’ household.” (KJV, emphasis added).
Paul’s letter to the Romans was written circa A.D. 57–58, likely from Corinth. By this time, the Gospel had already taken root in the vast, diverse capital city of the Roman Empire, and Paul had established connections there, even though he had not yet visited the church.
The Mystery of the Household
The key phrase is “Aristobulus’ household.” Paul greets the household but does not greet Aristobulus himself. This distinction has led scholars to form two main hypotheses about this individual:
- Aristobulus was a Christian Leader: In this case, Paul is greeting the members of the house, which would include his wife, children, and perhaps slaves or freedmen, who were known to be believers. Paul might not greet Aristobulus directly if he was traveling, ill, or recently deceased.
- Aristobulus was not a Believer: This is the most widely accepted view. If Aristobulus himself was not a Christian, but his slaves, freedmen, or some of his family members were, Paul would greet the believers within the household while carefully omitting the non-believing head of the house.
The Connection to the Imperial House
Regardless of whether Aristobulus was a Christian, the most compelling speculation about his identity is his likely connection to the Herodian family or, more specifically, to the Imperial House of Rome.
Ancient sources indicate that there was a historical figure named Aristobulus, a grandson of Herod the Great, who lived in Rome, was related to Agrippa I, and had connections to the Emperor Claudius. This Aristobulus lived and died in Rome, leaving behind a vast estate and a multitude of slaves and dependents. Upon his death (which may have occurred before Paul wrote his letter), his estate, including his slaves and freedmen, would have become the property of the Emperor. However, these people would have continued to be known by their former master’s name, as the “household of Aristobulus.”
If this is the case, the reference reveals a stunning reality:
- The Gospel had penetrated the very structure of the Imperial Palace and the households of the ruling elite in Rome.
- The believers within this household, likely slaves or freedmen, were part of the early Christian community that Paul recognized and encouraged.
This interpretation aligns with the greetings Paul sends to “them that be of Caesar’s household” later in his letters (Philippians 4:22, KJV), indicating that Christian converts were indeed present in the most powerful circles of the empire.
In conclusion, Aristobulus is a figure whose name, though only a footnote in the Bible, points to a massive theological truth: that the Gospel message was not confined to synagogues or humble homes, but spread with power and stealth into every corner of the Roman world, gathering believers even from the “household” of the influential and powerful.