Andrew One of Jesus’s twelve apostles and brother of Simon Peter. See Matthew 4:18; 10:2; Mark 1:16, 29; John 1:40–44; 12:22; and Acts 1:13.
Anna An elderly Jewish prophetess who worshiped daily in the Jerusalem temple and was present at the dedication of the baby Jesus. See Luke 2:36–38.
Apollos An Alexandrian Jewish Christian with profound knowledge of the Old Testament and powerful rhetorical skills. He was instructed in the Christian faith by Priscilla and Aquila and ministered alongside Paul in Corinth. See Acts 18:18–19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4–22; 4:6; 16:12; and Titus 3:13.
Aquila A Jewish-Christian leatherworker from Pontus, husband of Priscilla and coworker of Paul in cities such as Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. See Acts 18; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; and 2 Timothy 4:19.
Barnabas (also called Joseph, the Levite) Missionary companion of Paul and cousin of John Mark. His name (in Aramaic) means “son of encouragement,” and he was known for his compassionate heart and commitment to reconciliation. See Acts 4:36; 9:27; 11:22–15:39; 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2; and Colossians 4:10.
Caesar Augustus Title given to the Roman emperor Octavian (31 BC–AD 14), who ruled the Roman Empire when Jesus was born. See Luke 2:1.
Caiaphas High priest (AD 18–36) and the son-in-law of Annas, the former high priest. He is best known for interrogating Jesus and handing him over to Pilate. See Matthew 26:3, 57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49; 18:13–28; and Acts 4:6.
Cornelius A Roman centurion who lived in Caesarea Maritima. A God-fearing man, he received a vision from the Lord to bring Peter to Caesarea to preach the good news. See Acts 10.
Felix The Roman governor of Judea when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem. He heard Paul’s case in Caesarea, but because of his greed and desire to please the Jews, he left Paul in prison two more years until Festus took over. See Acts 23–25.
Festus The governor of Judea (AD 59–62) who succeeded Felix. When he heard Paul’s case and Paul appealed to Caesar, he granted his request. See Acts 25–26.
Herod Agrippa I Grandson of Herod the Great, known for persecuting the early church (he imprisoned Peter and killed James, the brother of John). Luke attributes his sudden death to the judgment of God. See Acts 12.
Herod Antipas One of the sons of Herod the Great. He ruled as a tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, had John the Baptist imprisoned and beheaded, and interviewed Jesus prior to his crucifixion. See Matthew 14 and Luke 3; 23.
Herod the Great Known as King Herod, he ruled Palestine (37–4 BC) and was known for being a skilled politician and ambitious builder (expanded the Jerusalem temple). He ordered the male infants of Bethlehem to be killed around the time of Jesus’s birth. See Matthew 2.
James, brother of Jesus Prominent leader in the Jerusalem church after Jesus’s resurrection. He later worked with Paul at the Jerusalem Council and is the likely author of the Letter of James. See Acts 15 and James.
James, the disciple Son of Zebedee, older brother of John, and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He was killed by Herod Agrippa I in AD 40. See Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19, 29; 3:17–18; 10:35–41; and Acts 12:2.
John, the apostle The son of Zebedee, younger brother of James and (along with Peter and James) part of Jesus’s inner circle of disciples (he was also known as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” [John 13:23]). Likely wrote the Gospel of John and possibly 1–3 John and Revelation. See Matthew–Acts.
John the Baptist (or Baptizer) A Jewish prophet, born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah by preaching repentance and performing baptisms. John was imprisoned and killed by Herod Antipas. See Matthew 3; 11:1–18; 14:1–12; Mark 1:1–15; 6:14–29; Luke 1; 3:1–20; 7:18–35; 9:1–20; and John 1; 3:22–36; 10:40–41.
Joseph A descendant of King David and the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Served as father for Jesus and probably died before Jesus’s earthly ministry began. See Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2.
Joseph of Arimathea A member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a secret follower of Jesus. He asked Pilate for Jesus’s body and buried Jesus in his own tomb. See John 19:38.
Judas One of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. He later betrayed Jesus. See Matthew 10:4; 26:14–16, 20–30, 47–50; 27:3–5; Mark 3:19; 14:10–11, 18–21, 43–46; Luke 6:16; 22:3–6, 21–23, 47–48; John 6:71; 12:4–6; 13:2, 18–30; 18:2–5; and Acts 1:16–18.
Jude (also called Judas) The brother of James, half brother of Jesus, and author of the Letter of Jude. See Matthew 13; Mark 6; and Jude.
Lazarus The brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. Famously raised from the dead by Jesus. See John 11–12.
Luke Gentile physician, missionary companion of Paul, and author of Luke-Acts (more than one-fourth of the New Testament). He was a careful historian and theologian as well as a faithful coworker. See Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; and Philemon 1:24.
Mark, John A Jewish Christian from Jerusalem, cousin to Barnabas, and the likely author of the Gospel of Mark (following Peter’s teaching). He abandoned Paul’s missionary team on their first journey but was later reconciled with the apostle. See Acts 12:12–25; 15:37–39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; and 1 Peter 5:13.
Martha Sister of Mary and Lazarus from Bethany. Best known for her preoccupation with serving her guests while her sister Mary listened to Jesus (see Luke 10:38–42). She boldly confessed Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of God” (John 11:27).
Mary, friend of Jesus Sister of Martha and Lazarus from Bethany. Jesus commends her for listening to him and for anointing his body for burial with expensive perfume. See Luke 10:38–42 and John 11:1–12:11.
Mary, mother of Jesus Young girl from Galilee who became pregnant by the Holy Spirit while still a virgin. She gave birth to Jesus and was known for her humble obedience to God’s unique calling on her life. While on the cross, Jesus entrusts Mary to John’s care. See Matthew 1; Luke 1–2; and John 2:1–12; 19:25–27.
Mary Magdalene A faithful follower of Jesus, who cured her of evil spirits and diseases. She was the first to witness the empty tomb and the resurrected Jesus. See Luke 8:1–3 and John 20:1–18.
Matthew (Levi) One of the twelve apostles and the traditional author of the Gospel of Matthew. Before following Jesus, Matthew worked as a tax collector for Herod Antipas. Mark and Luke refer to him as Levi. See Matthew 9:9–13; Mark 2:14; and Luke 5:27.
Nathanael Disciple of Jesus (probably also known as Bartholomew) whose initial skepticism turned to faith after Jesus called him. He was one of the first to see the risen Christ. See John 1:45–49; 21:2.
Nicodemus A Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin who came at night for a discussion with Jesus about being born again. After Jesus’s death, he helped Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus. See John 3:1–21; 19:39.
Paul A Jewish Christian (formerly a Pharisee and student of Gamaliel) who was dramatically converted and commissioned by Jesus to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He took several missionary journeys, worked with numerous other believers, and wrote many New Testament letters. Also known as Saul. See Acts 13–28; Romans–Philemon; and 2 Peter 3:15.
Peter (also Simon Peter or Cephas) Brother of Andrew, a member of Jesus’s inner circle, and the chief spokesman for the disciples. He confessed Jesus as the Christ but later denied him three times. He went on to preach Christ powerfully at Pentecost and beyond and to write 1–2 Peter. Tradition maintains that Peter was martyred by Nero around AD 64. See Matthew–Acts; Galatians 1:18–2:14; and 1–2 Peter.
Philemon The leader of a house church in Colossae who received a letter from Paul asking him to take back his runaway slave Onesimus without punishing him. See Philemon.
Philip, the apostle One of Jesus’s twelve apostles. He was from Bethsaida (like Andrew and Peter) and introduced Nathanael to Jesus. See Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; and John 1:43–51; 6:1–15; 12:20–36; 14:5–14.
Philip, the evangelist Chosen by the Jerusalem church as one of seven men tasked with distributing food to its widows. Became a bold evangelist to the city of Samaria, surrounding towns, and even an Ethiopian eunuch. See Acts 8.
Pilate, Pontius Roman governor of Judea who presided over Jesus’s trial and authorized his crucifixion under pressure from the Jewish leaders. See Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 18:28–19:42.
Priscilla (or Prisca) Wife of Aquila and coworker of the apostle Paul. She is often listed first when the pair is mentioned, probably highlighting her social status or prominence in the Christian community. See Acts 18; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; and 2 Timothy 4:19.
Silas Jewish Christian who served as a leader of the Jerusalem church. He took the letter related to the Jerusalem Council to Antioch and served as a missionary coworker of Paul. He also played an important role in writing several New Testament letters. See Acts 15–18; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; and 1 Peter 5:12.
Simeon A righteous man in Jerusalem who received a vision that he would see the Messiah. After seeing Jesus, he offered a prayer of praise and prophesied about Jesus’s role as it related to Israel. See Luke 2:25–34.
Stephen Chosen by the Jerusalem church as one of seven men tasked with distributing food to its widows. This man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5) became the first known Christian martyr, being stoned to death by the Jewish Sanhedrin. See Acts 6–8.
Thomas One of Jesus’s twelve disciples, also known as “Didymus” (the twin). He refused to believe Jesus’s resurrection (“doubting Thomas”) until Jesus appeared to him; Thomas then confessed him as his Lord and God. See Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; and John 11:16; 14:5; 20:24–28; 21:2.
Timothy One of Paul’s most trusted coworkers. He became a believer during Paul’s first missionary journey and accompanied Paul for much of the rest of his ministry. He is listed as cosender in many of Paul’s Letters and served faithfully in numerous places. Paul refers to Timothy as “my dear son” (2 Tim. 1:2) and sent him two letters (1–2 Tim.) near the end of his life. See Acts 16–20; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1; Philippians 1–2; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1–3; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; and 1–2 Timothy.
Titus A Gentile Christian and Paul’s trusted coworker. He was responsible for the collection gathered for the Jerusalem church, carried Paul’s letter (2 Corinthians) to that difficult church, and ministered in tough places (e.g., Crete). See 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6–8:23; 12:18; Galatians 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 4:10; and Titus 1:4.