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People Overview Nt Apostles Nt Deacons Ministers Nt Disciples Companions Nt Jesus Christ Nt Other Figures Nt Priests Nt Rulers Officials Nt Women Ot God Ot Key Ancestors Ot Kings Ot Leaders Judges Ot Other Figures Ot Patriarchs Matriarchs Ot Priests Ot Prophets Ot Rulers Officials Ot Women

New Testament: Apostles

Andrew

Name meaning: "Manly" (Greek)
Approximately 13 references

Brother of Peter and one of the twelve apostles. Originally a disciple of John the Baptist, he was among the first to follow Jesus and brought his brother Simon to Christ (John 1:40-42). Known for bringing people to Jesus: the boy with five loaves and two fish (John 6:8-9) and Greeks who wished to see Jesus (John 12:20-22).

Key references: Acts 1:13, John 1:40, John 1:44, John 6:8, John 12:22, Luke 6:14, Mark 1:16, Mark 1:29, Mark 3:18, Mark 13:3 (and 2 more)

Barnabas

Also known as: Joseph, son of encouragement
Name meaning: "Son of encouragement" (Aramaic)
Approximately 28 references

Jewish Levite from Cyprus, an early Christian leader who sold his field for the church (Acts 4:36-37). Vouched for Paul after his conversion and partnered with him on the first missionary journey. Later separated from Paul over John Mark, taking Mark to Cyprus while Paul took Silas. His generosity and gift for encouragement earned him his name.

Key references: 1 Corinthians 9:6, Acts 4:36, Acts 9:27, Acts 11:22, Acts 11:30, Acts 12:25, Acts 13:1, Acts 13:2, Acts 13:7, Acts 13:43 (and 17 more)

Bartholomew

Name meaning: "Son of Tolmai" (Aramaic)
Approximately 4 references

One of the twelve apostles, listed in all four apostolic catalogs (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14, Acts 1:13). Traditionally identified with Nathanael of John's Gospel, since Philip is paired with Bartholomew in the Synoptics and with Nathanael in John.

Key references: Acts 1:13, Luke 6:14, Mark 3:18, Matthew 10:3

James

Name meaning: English form of Jacob
Approximately 42 references

Multiple NT figures: (1) James son of Zebedee — brother of John, part of Jesus' inner circle, first apostle martyred (Acts 12:2). (2) James son of Alphaeus — another of the twelve. (3) James the brother of Jesus — leader of the Jerusalem church, author of the Epistle of James, presided at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). The reference count includes all.

Key references: 1 Corinthians 15:7, Acts 1:13, Acts 12:2, Acts 12:17, Acts 15:13, Acts 21:18, Galatians 1:19, Galatians 2:9, Galatians 2:12, James 1:1 (and 28 more)

John

Also known as: John the Apostle, the Beloved Disciple
Name meaning: "YHWH is gracious"
Approximately 135 references

Son of Zebedee, brother of James, and one of Jesus' inner circle (with Peter and James). Traditionally identified as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Author of the Gospel of John, 1–3 John, and Revelation. The only apostle traditionally believed to have died of natural causes, exiled to Patmos. Note: the reference count includes John the Baptist, John Mark, and other Johns.

Key references: Acts 1:5, Acts 1:13, Acts 1:22, Acts 3:1, Acts 3:3, Acts 3:4, Acts 3:11, Acts 4:6, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:19 (and 121 more)

Matthew

Also known as: Levi
Name meaning: "Gift of YHWH"
Approximately 5 references

Tax collector called by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 9:9). Also identified as Levi son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14). Hosted a dinner for Jesus with other tax collectors. Traditionally the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of OT prophecy.

Key references: Acts 1:13, Luke 6:15, Mark 3:18, Matthew 9:9, Matthew 10:3

Nathanael

Also known as: Bartholomew (traditionally)
Name meaning: "Gift of God"
Approximately 6 references

Brought to Jesus by Philip. Jesus said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael was amazed that Jesus knew him and confessed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:45-51). Traditionally identified with the apostle Bartholomew.

Key references: John 1:45, John 1:46, John 1:47, John 1:48, John 1:49, John 21:2

Paul

Also known as: Saul of Tarsus
Name meaning: "Small" (Latin)
Approximately 158 references

Apostle to the Gentiles, formerly Saul, a Pharisee who persecuted the early church. Converted on the road to Damascus through a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ (Acts 9). Conducted three missionary journeys, founded churches throughout Asia Minor and Greece, and wrote thirteen NT epistles (Romans through Philemon). His theology of justification by faith shaped Christian doctrine. Traditionally martyred in Rome under Nero.

Key references: 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 3:4, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 3:22, 1 Corinthians 16:21, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:18, 1 Timothy 1:1 (and 144 more)

Peter

Also known as: Simon Peter, Cephas
Name meaning: "Rock" (Greek petros)
Approximately 156 references

Leader among the twelve apostles, originally a fisherman from Bethsaida named Simon. Jesus renamed him Peter ("Rock") and said "on this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Known for his bold faith and equally notable failures — walking on water then sinking, confessing Christ then denying him three times. After the resurrection, Jesus restored him (John 21). Led the early church at Pentecost. Author of 1–2 Peter. Traditionally crucified upside down in Rome.

Key references: 1 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Acts 1:13, Acts 1:15, Acts 2:14, Acts 2:37, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:1, Acts 3:3, Acts 3:4 (and 141 more)

Saul (NT)

Name meaning: "Asked for"
Approximately 15 references

The apostle Paul's Hebrew name, used in Acts before his ministry to the Gentiles. Some scholars note the shift from "Saul" to "Paul" around Acts 13:9 as he turns to Gentile mission, though both names were his from birth.

Key references: Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1, Acts 8:3, Acts 9:1, Acts 9:8, Acts 9:11, Acts 9:22, Acts 9:24, Acts 11:25, Acts 11:30 (and 5 more)

Thomas

Also known as: Didymus
Name meaning: "Twin" (Aramaic)
Approximately 11 references

One of the twelve apostles, also called Didymus (Greek for "twin"). Known as "Doubting Thomas" for refusing to believe in the resurrection until he could see and touch Jesus' wounds (John 20:24-29). His subsequent confession — "My Lord and my God!" — is one of the clearest declarations of Jesus' deity. Earlier showed courage, saying "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16).

Key references: Acts 1:13, John 11:16, John 14:5, John 20:24, John 20:26, John 20:27, John 20:28, John 21:2, Luke 6:15, Mark 3:18 (and 1 more)

11 entries. Reference counts are approximate, based on morphological analysis of the Westminster Leningrad Codex (Hebrew) and Open Greek New Testament.