New Testament: Rulers & Officials

Agrippa

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

The last of the Herodian dynasty, Herod Agrippa II heard Paul's defense alongside Festus and Bernice. His famous response to Paul's appeal — "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" (Acts 26:28) — left his own sincerity ambiguous. He 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

A Roman centurion in Caesarea described as devout and God-fearing, Cornelius was directed by an angel to send for Peter — who was himself receiving a vision showing that Gentiles were not "unclean." When Peter preached to the household, the Holy Spirit fell on them all, marking the first recorded Gentile conversion (Acts 10) and forcing the Jerusalem church to reckon with the scope of the gospel.

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), Felix kept Paul imprisoned for two years in Caesarea hoping for a bribe (Acts 24:26). When Paul spoke to him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix grew alarmed and dismissed the hearing, never acting on what he heard. He was 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), Festus heard Paul's case and found no clear guilt. When Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus arranged for King Agrippa to hear the defense (Acts 25–26). His verdict on Paul's eloquence was blunt: too much learning had driven him mad.

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

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 Rabbi Hillel.

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

Herod

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

The name covers a dynasty of Roman client-kings spanning the New Testament period. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple and massacred the infants of Bethlehem. His son Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist and mocked Jesus at his trial. Herod Agrippa I killed James the apostle, then died struck down by an angel (Acts 12). Herod Agrippa II heard Paul's defense before Festus (Acts 25–26). The reference count spans all of them.

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 of Judea (c. AD 26–36), Pilate presided over the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. He found no fault in Jesus yet yielded to the crowd, washing his hands and declaring himself innocent of the blood (Matthew 27:24). His name is preserved in the Apostles' Creed. Historical sources outside the New Testament, including Josephus and Philo, portray him as a brutal and inflexible 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.