Who Is Veronica in the Bible? Unveiling the Meaning and Biblical References
The name Veronica is often associated with a powerful story of faith and compassion, but is she really mentioned in the Bible? Many believers and scholars alike wonder: What does Veronica mean in the Bible? Is her name found in the KJV version? Which Bible verse, if any, speaks of her? Despite her widespread recognition in Christian tradition, her presence in scripture remains a topic of debate. In this article, we explore the origins of Saint Veronica, separate fact from legend, and uncover the deeper meaning behind her story. Keep reading to discover the truth!
Who is Veronica in the Bible?
Question: Hello: I have a lot of interest in knowing when Santa Verónica is celebrated. There must be more than one because when I consult, I find different days according to the sources asked. Also, my interest is in the Veronica who wiped the face of Jesus on the way to Calvary?.
Answer: According to tradition, not history, Veronica (or Berenice) was a pious woman who lived in Jerusalem. His name appears for the first time in an apocryphal document called “The Acts of Pilate,” which says that during the process Jesus, a woman named Bernike or Berenice (Βερενίκη in Greek or Veronica in Latin), shouted from afar: “I suffered a flow of blood, I touched the border of their clothes and was cured, “ to which the Jews replied: ” We have a law by which a woman cannot testify. “
Is Veronica Mentioned in the Bible?
The name Veronica is not found in the Bible, including in the King James Version (KJV) or other widely recognized translations. Despite her prominence in Christian tradition, no biblical passage explicitly names a woman who wipes Jesus’ face as He carries the cross. The story of Veronica comes from Christian legend and apocryphal texts, rather than the canonical Gospels.
Her story became widely known through the Stations of the Cross, a devotional practice that recounts Jesus’ journey to His crucifixion. According to tradition, Veronica compassionately wiped Christ’s face, and His image miraculously appeared on the cloth she used. While this act of kindness aligns with Christian teachings, no direct mention of Veronica or this event appears in the Bible. (New Advent).
Veronica in the Bible KJV: What Does It Say?
The King James Version (KJV) does not contain the name Veronica, nor does it mention an incident where a woman wipes Jesus’ face. However, some believers associate her with biblical passages describing women who showed compassion toward Jesus.
One often-cited reference is Luke 23:27-28 (KJV):
“And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.”
Though this passage does not mention Veronica specifically, it indicates that women were present along the path to Calvary, mourning for Jesus. Some later traditions place Veronica among them, but the KJV itself does not confirm her existence. (BibleGateway).
Veronica Meaning Name – Veronica Origin Name
Veronica is a Latin name for girls. The meaning is `victory ‘. The name Veronica is most often given to Italian girls. The chance is more than 50 times that girls are called Veronica.
The name Veronica has a rich history, deeply connected to Christian tradition and linguistic evolution. It is commonly believed to derive from the Latin phrase “Vera Icon,” meaning “true image.” This association comes from the legendary story of Saint Veronica, who, according to tradition, wiped Jesus’ face on His way to the crucifixion, leaving His miraculous image imprinted on the cloth.
Etymology and Origins of the Name Veronica
Beyond its religious significance, the name Veronica has roots in Greek and Latin. It is believed to have evolved from the Greek name Berenice (Βερενίκη), which translates to “she who brings victory.” Over time, linguistic adaptations transformed Berenice into Veronica, further shaping its meaning and cultural significance.
Some early Christian writings, including the Acts of Pilate, refer to a woman named Berenice, which later evolved into Veronica. This shift in name further solidified her legendary status, particularly in medieval Europe, where the story gained widespread recognition.
Today, Veronica remains a popular name worldwide, carrying meanings of strength, kindness, and victory—whether in religious or secular contexts. (Behind the Name)
Veronica scene in “The Passion” by Mel Gibson (2004) Mark 5:25-34.
Click here to watch on YouTube: Song of Complaint
What Does Veronica Mean in the Bible? Origins and Symbolism
Although the name Veronica does not appear in the Bible, it carries significant meaning in Christian tradition. The name is often linked to the Latin phrase “Vera Icon,” which translates to “true image.” This connection comes from the legend that Veronica wiped Jesus’ face on His way to the crucifixion, and His image miraculously appeared on the cloth she used. Over time, this story became an important part of Christian devotion, particularly in the Stations of the Cross.
Symbolism of Veronica in Christianity
Even though she is not mentioned in the King James Bible (KJV) or other biblical texts, Veronica is seen as a symbol of compassion, faith, and devotion. Her story represents an act of kindness toward Christ during His suffering, making her an important figure in Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
Many believers view Veronica as a representation of selfless love and the desire to bring comfort to others, even in the face of great suffering. The image said to have been left on her cloth is also associated with the idea of divine revelation—God manifesting Himself to those who show true faith and devotion.
While her existence remains a matter of tradition rather than scripture, the meaning of Veronica continues to inspire believers to act with kindness and unwavering faith.
Veronica in the Bible Verse: Is There One?
There is no Bible verse that directly mentions Veronica or her act of wiping Jesus’ face. The earliest written accounts of her story come from extra-biblical sources, such as the “Acts of Pilate”, an apocryphal text dating back to the 4th or 5th century. This text suggests that a woman named Berenice (which later evolved into Veronica) had an interaction with Jesus.
Additionally, medieval traditions expanded on this legend, linking Veronica’s name to the Latin phrase Vera Icon (meaning “true image”), referring to the supposed miraculous imprint of Christ’s face on the cloth she used.
While her story remains significant in Christian tradition, it is not based on any specific biblical verse. Instead, it evolved through centuries of oral history and religious devotion.
Bibliography: Story Of Veronica
Tradition tells us that when Jesus was on his way to Calvary carrying the cross, a woman became tender and approaching Him, she wiped her face with her veil. Jesus allowed it, and his face was miraculously printed on the cloth. But to complicate everything a little more, a document called “Mors Pilati” explains the way in which Veronica got the portrait of Christ: “She wanted to have a representation of the face of Jesus; he asked for the veil on which the painter would have to work and allowed him to paint his face.
” Almost nothing! And keep talking about a Volusian – less cruel than the Volusian of the “Vindicta Salvatoris”– who made her go to Rome and there she introduced him to Emperor Tiberius, who was cured as soon as he saw the Sacred Face. Before dying, Veronica would deliver the relic to Pope St. Clement.
There is an apocryphal document from the 5th century called “Doctrine of Addai” where it is said that this image of the Lord was sent to the daughter of the king of Edessa who, coincidentally, was also called Berenice. This is the opposite of what is said in the “Pilate Acts. ” What to think of all this mess? In my opinion, that everything is a pure story of alleys, but I have to recognize that the theory is prevalent in which, mixing the history of the Holy Face and the Veronica, it is identified with the haemorrhage of the Gospels. But in reality, nothing can happen as real science.
Eusebio, in his “Ecclesiastical History”, speaking about Caesarea Philippi, says verbatim that“I do not consider it convenient to silence a story that should go to posterity. The haemorrhoid which was cured of her illness by the Savior is said to have come from this same city; Here is his house and there is a memorial of the miracle performed by the Redeemer.
On a rock in front of the house where the haemorrhoid room is, there is a bronze statue of a woman on her knees and with her hands outstretched in an attitude of imploring; On the back of it, there is another sculpture that represents a man standing wrapped in a cloak and holding out his hand to the woman.
At his feet, along the way, a plant of unknown species grows and rises to the edge of the bronze mantle. This plant is very efficient because it cures all diseases. It is said that the statue represents Jesus and thus has remained to this day; we had seen it with our own eyes when we were in that city ”. Sozomeno tells that this sculpture in honour of the Savior was destroyed during the persecution of Julian the Apostate.
This description of the inclined haemorrhoid with the outstretched imploring hands and of the Lord who extends his hand could lead to think that she is the one who, since the mid-fifteenth century, in the West, is represented as a pious woman who dries the face of the Savior when I was on my way to Calvary.
However, nothing authorizes confusing or rejecting the person of haemorrhoids – called Bernike (Veronica) in the ancient seventh chapter of the “Pilate Acts”-, with all subsequent variants of the image of the Savior miraculously printed on a cloth.
One is real and, most likely, the other is a variant of the first. Haemorrhage existed as the Gospels attest, but Veronica can only be a pious tradition without a real basis. And let’s not talk about the French culture that says that Veronica was the woman of Zacchaeus and that they both went to Gaul to preach Christianity! As it is mentioned in the University: “This is already to get a note”.
However, in the sixteenth century, the Venerable Cardinal Baronio – and Baronio of my faults! – inscribed in his annals the arrival of Veronica in Rome bringing this precious relic and thus, began his holiday on February 4. San Carlos Borromeo himself – of whom we have to write – composed a trade and a Mass in Ambrosian rite.
But since this story still lacks something related to some mystical vision that could confirm it, it came in 1844 when a French Carmelite nun named Sister Maria de San Pedro, had an idea in which Santa Verónica appeared to him cleaning his face to Christ, who also told him that the sacrilegious acts and blasphemies of today added to the mud, dust and saliva that made the face of the Savior dirty.
This was worth so that devotion to the Holy Face was strengthened in many European locations, mainly French, Italian and Spanish and that, even, some religious Congregations made reference to this new devotion, which was finally approved by Leo XIII, on July 12 of 1885.
Obviously, Verónica’s name does not appear in any of the ancient historical martyrologies and even in old ones. In the iconographic theme, I do not also want to enter, because besides being complicated, it is not my forte.
Conclusion: Veronica in the Bible: Fact, Legend, and Meaning
While Veronica is a beloved figure in Christian tradition, her name does not appear in the Bible—neither in the KJV nor in any other major biblical translation. Instead, her story emerges from extra-biblical texts and centuries of devotion, particularly tied to the Stations of the Cross. Many believe her name, meaning “true image,” symbolizes faith, kindness, and the miraculous power of Christ.
So, is Veronica mentioned in the Bible? Not directly. But her legacy remains significant in Christian history, inspiring believers worldwide. Whether fact or legend, her story encourages acts of compassion and unwavering faith—qualities that resonate deeply with the teachings of Jesus.
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Bibliography:
- VANNUTELLI, P., “Actorum Pilati textus synoptici” , Rome, 1938.
- SPADAFORA, F., “Bibliotheca sanctorum” volume XII, Città N. Editrice, Rome, 1990
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Veronica
- The Catholic Encyclopedia via New Advent (newadvent.org)
- Britannica (britannica.com)
- Behind the Name (behindthename.com)
