Minor characters, both male and female, heavily populate the fourfold Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They all come from different socioeconomic strata of society. Some are distinguished by name, while most remain anonymous. Some are taciturn, while others are loquacious. A few are wealthy, while the majority are poor. This book examines seven pericopae of different minor characters, who appear suddenly in different settings and circumstances, interact with Jesus briefly, and then vanish quickly, leaving behind historical memories preserved by the Gospel evangelists as windows into Jesus' identity and his multifaceted charismatic ministry of compassion and redemption within the context of first-century Judaism.

Amir M. Dinkha earned his bachelor of sacred theology from Babel College, Baghdad, Iraq. He also received his master of divinity and licentiate in sacred theology from Milltown Institute, Dublin, Ireland. His primary area of research interest is the canonical Gospels, particularly Mark. He is currently teaching theological and religious studies at St. Genevieve High School, Panorama City, Los Angeles.