Top Row left to right: Simon Peter, Andrew (brother of Peter), John (son of Zebedee and Salome), James (older brother of John).
Middle Row left to right: Philip, Bartholomew or Nathanael (son of Thalmai), Matthew (Levi), Thomas (Didymus).
Simon the Zealot, Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus).
Alexander the Great, born 356 B.C., Greek conqueror before Roman Empire, founder of Alexandria in Egypt, established Greek cities in Holy Land. Through his efforts Greek became language of literature and commerce that was important to spread of Gospel.
Andrew, son of John (Jonah), one of Twelve Apostles, brother of Simon Peter, fisherman from Bethsaida Galilee, lived at Capernaum, former disciple of John the Baptist, brought Peter to Jesus, gave up fish business to catch people for the Master. He brought a boy with five loaves and two fish to him. That was all Jesus needed to feed five thousand people. Certain Greeks came to see Jesus, and Andrew and Philip brought them to him.
Annas, Jewish high priest, ruled in Temple at time Jesus went to Temple at age twelve. About A.D. 6 Annas was appointed high priest by Quirinius and was deposed about A.D. 15 by Valarius Gratus, governor of Judea. Annas five sons became high priests and he was father-in-law to Caiaphas who was high priest when Jesus began his ministry.
Aristarchus, one of Pauls traveling companions from Thessalonica in Macedonia who traveled with Paul on his Third Missionary Journey and was seized at the riot in Ephesus along with Gaius. Aristarchus was referred to as Pauls fellow prisoner.
Bartholomew or Nathanael (son of Thalmai), one of Twelve Apostles, from Cana in Galilee, possible disciple of John the Baptist. When Philip found the Messiah, he ran and told Nathanael-Bartholomew.
Caiaphas, Joseph, son-in-law of Annas, high priest of Jesus time A.D. 18-36, chief conspirator with Annas for crucifying their Messiah, removed in year 36 by Romans.
Chuza, husband of Joanna. He was Herod Antipas steward and royal official in the region around Capernaum, it could possibly have been his son who was healed by Jesus (John 4:46-54).
Cornelius, centurion who called for Peter to come to Caesarea after Pentecost; possibly same centurion who headed elite Italian regiment and personal guard who accompanied Pilate and his wife from Caesarea to Jerusalem; and possibly centurion who was in charge of Christs crucifixion.
Felix, surname of Antonius Claudius, tyrant procurator of Judea, a Greek made free by Emperor Claudius. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he was brought to Felix who held the apostle for about two years (c. 58-60) hoping for a bribe.
Herod the Great, King of Judea 37-4 B.C., reigned when Jesus was born, died after murder of innocents, father of Tetrarchs Herod Antipas, Herod Philip, Ethnarch Herod Archelaus. The third Temple which was in use in Jesus day was begun and largely built by Herod the Great.
Isaiah, Old Testament prophet of redemption who predicted the Messiah during four reigns of Jewish Kings from Uzziah to Hezekiah, about 740 B.C. to 681 B.C.
James, son of Alphaeus, one of the Twelve Apostles, also called James the less to distinguish him from James the brother of John, who may have been older or taller. His mother was one of the three Marys at Calvary. His brother Joses was a believer. His father Alphaeus may also have been the father of Matthew. If so, Alphaeus was highly honored to have two sons who became apostles.
James, younger half-brother of Jesus, son of Joseph-bar-Jacob and Mary of Nazareth. Christs special appearance after his resurrection to James resulted in his conversion. James was pastor of Jerusalem church, gave approval for Paul and Barnabas to preach to Gentiles; was head of Jerusalem Council and supported Pauls position; James is regarded as author of Epistle of James.
Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod Antipas steward and royal official in the region around Capernaum; possibly it was her son who was healed by Jesus (John 4:46-54); she became one of the women who supplied funds and ministered to Christ and his apostles; she was at the garden tomb and heard the angels message; Jesus appeared to her and other women after his resurrection.
John, son of Zebedee and Salome, one of Twelve Apostles, younger brother of James, nicknamed Son of Thunder. Salome was sister to Mary, Jesus mother, and John and James were his cousins. The two brothers were fisherman in partnership with Andrew and Peter. John was first a disciple of the Baptist and brought James to Jesus. Part of Christs inner circle, John witnessed Jesus raising Jairus daughter from the dead and his transfiguration. Perhaps closest to the Master, the apostle whom Jesus loved was the only apostle who did not run away at his trials and crucifixion; the honor was bestowed upon him to care for the Lords mother. John was the first to reach the empty tomb on Easter morning and believe in all that Jesus said, and later the first to recognize the risen Master on Galilees shore. He was Peters companion after Pentecost proclaiming the gospel, and was author of Gospel of John, three epistles, and Revelation. His writings reflect the love of Christ in past, present, and future events.
John the Baptist, son of priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, cousin of Mary of Nazareth; born in hill country of Judea about six months before Jesus. He baptized and identified Christ as Messiah, and was considered to be fulfillment of prophecy of Elijah who was to return. After Jesus began his ministry, John was imprisoned by Herod Antipas and later tricked into murdering him by Herodias.
Joseph of Arimathea, high ranking Pharisee, member of Sanhedrin, became secret disciple and did not participate in conspiracy of Jesus death; afterwards he asked Pilate for the body and laid it in his own new tomb with help from Nicodemus.
Judas Isacariot, one of Twelve Apostles, keeper of the purse, betrayer of Jesus, replaced with Apostle Paul.
Justus, Titius. When the Jews turned against Paul, he left the synagogue and moved his ministry next door to a private house owned by the devout proselyte Justus.
Lazarus, younger brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, friend of Jesus who raised him from death on the fourth day; Christ and apostles stayed at his Bethany home when they were in Jerusalem for festivals.
Luke, the beloved physician is traditionally believed to have been a Gentile from Antioch in Syria. He was an associate and companion of Apostle Paul on his second and third missionary journeys, and on his final journey all the way to Rome. There he remained with Paul throughout his captivity. About sixty years after the crucifixion, Luke started writing an account of the beginnings of the faith that was the center of his life. His books, Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, were addressed to a fellow Christian of considerable social standing, whom he calls most excellent Theophilus (Greek: God Lover), a strikingly appropriate name for the patron of the work. An eyewitness himself, Luke also interviewed other eyewitnesses (probably Mary mother of Jesus), and had access to previous manuscripts, arranging all the information in a concise two volume set. Together they form the largest portion of the New Testament, showing how God brought Christians from the heart of Judaism to the heart of the Roman Empire. By preserving the stories and teachings of Christ and the apostles in flawless Greek, his writings serve as priceless treasures of the faith.
Mark (John Mark), teenager during ministry of Jesus, son of Mary who owned house with upper room, younger cousin of evangelist Barnabas, friend and companion of Apostle Paul, accompanied them on their missionary journeys. Marks Gospel (as interpreted from Peter) was the first, forming the basis of Matthew and Lukes, and was known to John.
Martha, older sister of Mary of Bethany and Lazarus. Possibly she inherited the estate from her deceased husband, and was responsible for her younger sister and brother. Her Bethany home was where Jesus and apostles stayed while they were in Jerusalem.
Mary, mother of John Mark, wife of Aaron, lived in Jerusalem house with upper room in affluent area of Mount Zion where Jesus and apostles ate Last Supper and where Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. Acts 12:12 refers home as Marys (husband had died by then), she had servant girl named Rhoda.
Mary of Nazareth, descendant of David, wife of Joseph-bar-Jacob, mother of Jesus the Christ, James, Joses, Simon, Jude, unnamed daughters; sister of Salome wife of Zebedee; kinswoman of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. In the Bible she appears in the infancy and childhood narratives, at the cross where she was given into Apostle Johns care, and in upper room at Pentecost.
Matthew (Levi), one of Twelve Apostles; former Jewish tax collector employed by Roman government who immediately rose and became an apostle when Jesus said, Follow me! He immediately had a reception for Jesus and invited a large party of tax gatherers and others to his home. As a former tax collector, he was skilled at writing and keeping records, and was author of Gospel of Matthew containing the Sermon on the Mount.
Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), specially commissioned by Christ as Apostle to Gentiles, he replaced Judas Iscariot as one of Twelve Apostles. Saul was a tentmaker by trade. Before his conversion, the young man studied under Rabban Gamaliel, then the brilliant and passionate student of Jewish Law became agent of high priest Caiaphas. With the backing of the Jewish leaders, Saul of Tarsus became the most feared Christian persecutor and thought he was serving God by doing so. It took Jesus dazzling personal appearance to turn this stubborn man around on the Damascus road. Christ took hold of him, gave him a commission, and corrected his vision while temporarily blinding his sight. But once he saw the Light, his evaluation of the Gospel was completely reversed. When he began his missionary journeys, he used his Greek name Paul, and became a defender of the faith and evangelist to the Gentiles. His genius for God was the finest creative mind to explain the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith. He was persecuted almost to the point of death and was the most courageous of the apostles. If Peter is the churchs rock, then Pauls letters are the rest of the building.
Peter (Simon), son of John (Jonah), one of Twelve Apostles, fisherman from Bethsaida Galilee. His brother Andrew brought him to Jesus, and his home at Capernaum provided a base for the Lords Galilean ministry. Simon Peter was part of Christs inner circle, he witnessed the raising Jairus daughter from the dead and transfiguration of Jesus. The loveable tempestuous apostle stood out among the rest and needed special attention from the Master. Repeatedly he was torn between waves of doubt when attempting to walk on water, and epiphany when he declared on Mt. Hermon, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. During Jesus trial he denied knowing him three times; but all instability changed when he was indwelt with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. He became rock-solid and preached a great sermon where three thousand people became believers. Peter the Rock lived up to his name and was founder of the Christian church, author of two epistles, and helped Mark write his gospel.
Philip, one of Twelve Apostles, from Bethsaida (Galilee) and friend of Peter, Andrew, James and John. He was a disciple of the Baptist; when the Master called him, the recognition that Jesus was the Messiah guided him to run and find Bartholomew, exclaiming, We have met the man spoken of by Moses in the Law, and by the prophets! At the feeding of the five thousand, he almost had faith in answering the Lords question about bread. When Greeks came to seek Jesus, Philip got Andrew to help. At the Last Supper he asked, Lord, show us the Father and we ask no more, to which Jesus replied, He who has seen me has seen the Father. But, at Pentecost in the upper room, the fire of the Spirit ignited the spark of faith that was inside Philip.
Philip the Evangelist, one of seven Greek-speaking deacons of the early church. He established churches in Samaria with great success and along the coast of Palestine, where following the Lords command he preached to the Gentiles, and made his home in Caesarea. Paul and Luke stayed with him for a time at the completion of the apostles Third Missionary Journey.
Pilate, Pontius, Roman procurator of Judea A.D. 26-36 during Christs ministry, husband of Claudia Procula. He is known for his cowardly weakness in the condemnation of Jesus to Roman crucifixion in A.D. 30 in spite of his wifes warning, was removed from office by Rome in 36, same year as Caiaphas.
Publius, chief magistrate on island of Malta who invited Paul and his companions, Luke and Aristarchus, to spend a few days in his home as guests. While Paul was there he healed Publius father.
Quirinius, Roman governor of Syria at time Jesus went to Temple at age twelve. Roman province included Judea, Samaria, and Idumaea.
Simon the Zealot, one of Twelve Apostles, a revolutionist with flaming zeal for the Jewish nationalist party. At first Simon might have been attracted to Jesus in hopes that he might kick out the Romans, but in listening to Jesus words, he discovered a peaceful way to conquer Romeby first conquering peoples hearts.
Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba, successor as King of Israel, built first Jerusalem Temple. Jesus spoke in Solomons Portico, a vast colonnade along the east wall of the Court of the Gentiles.
Tiberius, became Roman emperor in A.D. 14 after the death of Augustus. During the time he was emperor, Jesus began his ministry, the early church came into being, and Paul was converted. He died in A.D. 37 and Caligula became emperor.
Timothy, closest companion and messenger of Paul, was called his dear and faithful child in the Lord, his brother, and fellow worker. Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Jewish Christian mother Eunice, and was the grandson of Lois in Lystra. He was entirely free to assist Paul from the time of Pauls Second Missionary Journey until his death in Rome, possibly a period of seventeen years. Paul wrote two epistles to him.
Titus, Greek son of Gentiles, convert, friend, and helper of Paul. During Pauls Third Missionary Journey, Titus was assigned missions to Corinth and much later to Crete.
Zacchaeus, one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax collecting business, chief publican and head of tax and customs department in Jericho. Jesus was a guest in his home.