He had entered the Roman service for the purpose of enjoying more facilities in his study of the fine arts, for he was a learned man.

His character was firm, his figure short and thick-set, and his complexion dark.
Abenadar was early convinced, by the doctrine which he heard Jesus preach, and by a miracle which he saw him work; that salvation was to be found among the Jews, and he had submitted to the law of Moses.
Although not yet a disciple of our Lord, he bore him no illwill, and held his person in secret veneration.

He was naturally grave and composed, and when he came to Golgotha to relieve guard, he kept order on all sides, and forced everybody to behave at least with common decency, down to the moment when truth triumphed over him, and he rendered public testimony to the Divinity of Jesus.

Being a rich man, and a volunteer, he had no difficulty in resigning his post at once.

He assisted at the descent from the Cross and the burial of our Lord, which put him into familiar connection with the friends of Jesus, and after the day of Pentecost he was one of the first to receive baptism in the Pool of Bethsaida, where he took the name of Ctesiphon.