New Testament: Rulers & Officials

Agrippa

Also known as: Herod Agrippa II
Name meaning: Roman family name
Approximately 11 references

Herod Agrippa II, the last of the Herodian dynasty. Heard Paul's defense alongside Festus and Bernice. Responded to Paul's appeal: "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" (Acts 26:28). Ruled portions of Palestine as a Roman client king until the Jewish revolt.

Key references: Acts 25:13, Acts 25:22, Acts 25:23, Acts 25:24, Acts 25:26, Acts 26:1, Acts 26:2, Acts 26:19, Acts 26:27, Acts 26:28 (and 1 more)

Cornelius

Name meaning: Roman family name
Approximately 8 references

Roman centurion in Caesarea, described as devout and God-fearing. An angel directed him to send for Peter, who received a vision showing that Gentiles were not "unclean." When Peter preached to Cornelius' household, the Holy Spirit fell on them — the first recorded Gentile conversion (Acts 10). This event was pivotal in opening the church to non-Jews.

Key references: Acts 10:1, Acts 10:3, Acts 10:17, Acts 10:22, Acts 10:24, Acts 10:25, Acts 10:30, Acts 10:31

Felix

Also known as: Antonius Felix
Name meaning: "Happy" (Latin)
Approximately 9 references

Roman governor of Judea (c. AD 52–59) who kept Paul imprisoned for two years in Caesarea, hoping for a bribe (Acts 24:26). Heard Paul speak about "righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment" and became frightened but delayed responding (Acts 24:25). Succeeded by Festus.

Key references: Acts 23:24, Acts 23:26, Acts 24:3, Acts 24:22, Acts 24:24, Acts 24:25, Acts 24:27, Acts 25:14

Festus

Also known as: Porcius Festus
Name meaning: Latin name
Approximately 13 references

Roman governor of Judea who succeeded Felix (c. AD 59–62). Heard Paul's case and found no clear guilt, but when Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus arranged for King Agrippa to hear Paul's defense (Acts 25–26). Declared Paul was out of his mind from too much learning.

Key references: Acts 24:27, Acts 25:1, Acts 25:4, Acts 25:9, Acts 25:12, Acts 25:13, Acts 25:14, Acts 25:22, Acts 25:23, Acts 25:24 (and 3 more)

Gamaliel

Name meaning: "Reward of God"
Approximately 2 references

Renowned Pharisee and teacher of the Law, Paul's instructor (Acts 22:3). Advised the Sanhedrin to leave the apostles alone: "If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them" (Acts 5:38-39). Grandson of the great Rabbi Hillel.

Key references: Acts 5:34, Acts 22:3

Herod

Name meaning: "Heroic" (Greek)
Approximately 43 references

Dynasty of Roman client-kings over Judea. Key figures: (1) Herod the Great — rebuilt the Temple, massacred the infants of Bethlehem. (2) Herod Antipas — beheaded John the Baptist, mocked Jesus at his trial. (3) Herod Agrippa I — killed James the apostle, was struck dead by an angel (Acts 12). (4) Herod Agrippa II — heard Paul's defense (Acts 25–26). The reference count includes all.

Key references: Acts 4:27, Acts 12:1, Acts 12:6, Acts 12:11, Acts 12:19, Acts 12:21, Acts 13:1, Acts 23:35, Luke 1:5, Luke 3:1 (and 30 more)

Nicodemus

Name meaning: "Victory of the people" (Greek)
Approximately 5 references

Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who came to Jesus by night, prompting Jesus' teaching on being "born again" (John 3:1-21). Later defended Jesus before the council (John 7:50-52) and helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus' body for burial, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39).

Key references: John 3:1, John 3:4, John 3:9, John 7:50, John 19:39

Pilate

Also known as: Pontius Pilate
Name meaning: Latin family name
Approximately 55 references

Roman prefect (governor) of Judea (c. AD 26–36) who presided over the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Found "no fault" in Jesus but yielded to the crowd's pressure. Famously washed his hands, declaring himself innocent of Jesus' blood (Matthew 27:24). Appears in the Apostles' Creed. Historical sources (Josephus, Philo) depict him as a harsh administrator.

Key references: 1 Timothy 6:13, Acts 3:13, Acts 4:27, Acts 13:28, John 18:29, John 18:31, John 18:33, John 18:35, John 18:37, John 18:38 (and 43 more)

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