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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, Andrew was among the first to follow Jesus — and his first act was to find his brother Simon and bring him along (John 1:40-42). He appears throughout the Gospels as an introducer: he is the one who produces the boy with five loaves and two fish before the crowd (John 6:8-9) and who relays to Jesus the request of Greeks who wish to see him (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

A Jewish Levite from Cyprus, Barnabas sold his field and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37). When the Jerusalem church was suspicious of Paul's conversion, Barnabas vouched for him, and the two partnered on the first missionary journey. They later parted over John Mark — Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus while Paul took Silas. The name Barnabas was itself a gift from the apostles, a recognition of the quality that marked everything he did.

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

The name belongs to several NT figures. James son of Zebedee was brother of John and part of Jesus' inner circle — the first apostle martyred, executed by Herod (Acts 12:2). James son of Alphaeus was another of the twelve, though little else is recorded of him. Most prominent in Acts is James the brother of Jesus: leader of the Jerusalem church, author of the Epistle of James, and presiding voice at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). The reference count includes all three.

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

A tax collector in Capernaum, Matthew left his booth at Jesus' call and became one of the twelve (Matthew 9:9). He is also identified as Levi son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14), and he celebrated his calling with a dinner that Jesus attended among tax collectors and sinners. Traditionally the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which presents Jesus above all 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, Nathanael arrived skeptical — "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Jesus greeted him with a declaration: "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" When Jesus revealed that he had seen Nathanael under the fig tree before they ever met, skepticism gave way to confession: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:45-51). He is 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 an 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 faith and its 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"). Thomas showed courage when, as Jesus prepared to return to Judea despite the danger, he urged his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). After the crucifixion, however, he refused to believe reports of the resurrection without touching the wounds himself. When Jesus appeared and offered exactly that, doubt became a confession of Christ's identity: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

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.