Achaicus was a Christian who lived in Corinth. He, along with Stephanas and Fortunatus, made the long trip from the city to Ephesus during Paul's extended stay (54 to 57 A.D.). Scriptures hints that they likely brought with them a letter with questions for the apostle to answer (see 1Corinthians 7:1).
The notation at the end of 1Corinthians, found in many Bible translations, asserts that Achaicus and his traveling companions, as well as Timothy, wrote down Paul's answers and other teachings that composed the book (see also 1Corinthians 1:1 - 2).
Agabus was a New Testament prophet. He prophesied, in Syrian Antioch, that a three-year famine would occur in Judea and Jerusalem. He also predicted, in 58 A.D., that the Apostle Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem and turned over to the Romans.
Alexander
Acts 19:33, 1Timothy 1:19 - 20
2Timothy 4:14 - 15
There are three Alexanders listed in the New Testament connected to Paul.
The first Alexander (Acts 19) was a Jew who Ephesian Jews tried to use to quell a riot. The uproar was caused by a local silversmith named Demetrius determined to stop Paul and his teachings from adversely affected Ephesus' well-known idol making businesses. Alexander's efforts failed to calm the riotous crowd.
The second Alexander in the New Testament (1Timothy 1), along with Hymenseus, were two Ephesian believers the Apostle Paul "turned over to Satan" so that they would repent (see also 1Corinthians 5:5). The two men had shipwrecked their faith through the rejection of their conscience.
The third Alexander (2Timothy 4), a coppersmith, was someone who actively and strongly opposed the gospel. The apostle, just before his death, warned his fellow evangelist Timothy to be wary of him.
Alexander's evil deeds against the truth were so pronounced that Paul, in a rare request, asked God to reward him according to his deeds. Biblical commentaries are unsure whether this third Alexander and the second one (1Timothy 1:19 - 20) are the same person.
Amplias is one of the many people, in Rome, Paul greets in the last chapter of Romans. He refers to Amplias as "my beloved in the Lord." Nothing more is known about him.
Ananias, who lived in Damascus, was an early Jewish convert to Christianity. He is told, in a vision from God, to visit a house on Straight Street and heal Saul (Paul) of the blindness he received while traveling to the city. Although he first balked at the request since Saul was known as a zealous persecutor of the church, he ultimately relented and did what was commanded. Ananias also baptized Paul after which he received God's spirit.
Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:1 - 10
Ananias and his wife Sapphira were married Christians in the early New Testament church. After selling some property they pretended they were donating all the proceeds to the Jerusalem church when, in fact, they kept part of the money for themselves. Their deception and sin received God's swift punishment when he struck both of them dead.
Ananias the high priest
Acts 23:2, 24:1
Ananias served as the temple's High Priest from 46 to 58 A.D. Paul was brought before him after his arrest for causing a temple riot. This uprising in Jerusalem occurred right after the apostle's third missionary journey.
Ananias, after Paul stated he had a clear conscience as a Christian, got so enraged that he commanded someone near the apostle to smack him in the face! Ananias would later travel to Caesarea and testify against him before Roman governor Felix.
According to the book War of the Jews (Book 2, Chapter 17, Section 9), Ananias was ultimately murdered by Sicarii zealots shortly in or after 66 A.D. when the Jewish revolt against Rome began.
Andrew
Matthew 4:18 - 19, 10:2
Mark 1:16, 3:18, 13:3 - 4
Luke 6:14, John 1:40 - 44, 6:8, 12:20 - 22
Acts 1:13
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the first two disciples called by Jesus Christ. He initially was a follower of John the Baptist (John 1:40). Both Andrew and his brother Peter lived in Bethsaida (John 1:44). They, along with John and James the Greater, often worked together as fishermen (Luke 5:10, Matthew 4:18 - 20, Mark 1:16 - 18). Not much else is known about this apostle.
According to Foxe's Book of Martyrs, the apostle was killed in Edessa when he was crucified on an "X" shaped cross (sometimes called St. Andrew's cross). The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia states, however, they believe Andrew was martyred at Patrae in Achaia by order of the local Roman Governor. The Catholics agree he was killed on an "X" shaped cross but believe the apostle was bound, not nailed, to the instrument of his death.
When God's builds his eternal New Jerusalem, the gemstone that will be an everlasting memorial to Andrew's efforts will likely be either a jasper or a sapphire.
Paul records that Andronicus, who lived in Rome, had been a Christian longer than he had. He also mentions Andronicus was "of note among the apostles" (Romans 16:7). This could mean either his righteous character was highly esteemed among this select group of leaders or that he was an apostle whose life was particularly noteworthy.
Evidence suggests Andronicus may have been one of Paul's distant relatives.
Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, was of the Israelite tribe of Asher. After marrying at a young age her husband lived for only seven years. Instead of remarrying, she chooses to dedicate her life to serving God through fasting, praying, and daily attendance of services at Jerusalem's temple.
Biblical commentaries disagree as to Anna's age when Luke 2 describes the events involving her. Some commentaries state she was eighty-four years old while others declare she had been a widow for eighty-four years after the death of her husband.
Anna, a prophetess, entered the temple area as Simeon the priest was blessing Mary and Joseph at the presentation of Christ before God (Luke 2:22 - 35). She gave thanks to God after his spirit enlightened her regarding the significance of what was occurring at the temple.
Annas
Luke 3:2, John 18:13, 24, Acts 4:6
Annas (Ananus, the son of Seth), at the time of Jesus' arrest in 30 A.D., was a former High Priest (6 - 15 A.D.). He was also the father-in-law of the High Priest Caiaphas, who served in this position from 18 to 36 A.D.
Although High Priests were to serve for life, Annas was removed from office by Roman procurator Valerius Gratus. Such an artificial removal from office, especially by a pagan occupying power (Rome), was almost certainly resented by the Jews.
The people, even after being stripped of his High Priest title, continued to hold Annas in high esteem. This likely explains why he and Caiaphas are referred to as High Priests at the same time (Luke 3:2, John 18:22, Acts 4:6) even though the Romans considered Caiaphas the sole person who had the authority to claim this title.
Jesus, after his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, was taken to Annas first before his appearance in front of Caiaphas.
Apelles is one of the many Christians, in Rome, referenced in the last chapter of Romans. He is greeted using the phrase "approved in Christ," which may mean Paul knew his conversion had been tested and found faithful.
Apollos
Acts 18:24, 19:1
1Corinthians 1:12, 3:4 - 6, 22, 4:6, 16:12
Titus 3:13
Apollos, a native of Alexandria, was a gifted orator who "was skilled in the Scriptures" (Acts 18:24). We are introduced to him when he arrives in Ephesus just before Apostle Paul's extensive third missionary journey stay in the city.
After Priscilla and Aquila update Apollos regarding the gospel (Jesus' death, resurrection, and so on) he leaves for Corinth. His teaching and debating skills, in Corinth, earn the church's respect and mightily thwart the misguided attempts of Jews to prove that Jesus was not the Messiah.
Apollos' evangelistic efforts were so effective that Paul considered him a fellow laborer in the gospel who complemented his own work. Please see our article on Apollos' arrival in Ephesus for more information on this important New Testament person!
Apphia is a woman greeted as "our beloved" by Paul in his opening remarks to Philemon. His greeting was written between 61 and 63 A.D. when the book was penned while he was in prison. Some Biblical commentaries speculate, without proof, that Apphia may have been the sister or wife of Philemon.
Please see listing for Priscilla and Aquila.
Archippus
Colossians 4:17, Philemon 1:2
Archippus, whose name means "a master of horses," is greeted as "our fellow soldier" by Paul in his opening remarks to Philemon. Archippus was the host of a home fellowship (house church) which met in his home every Sabbath. The apostle admonished Archippus, in Colossians, to "devote yourself to the ministry that you have received in the Lord" (Colossians 4:17).
Aristarchus
Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2, Colossians 4:10
Philemon 1:24
Aristarchus was a Thessalonica Christian who was likely a Jewish convert to Christianity. He traveled with the apostle during the third missionary journey. He was seized by an angry mob toward the end of Paul's long stay in Ephesus. The mob was stirred up by those fearing Christianity would continue to erode the city's highly profitable idol selling businesses.
Aristarchus also went with Paul, likely as a fellow prisoner, from Caesarea to Rome during his fourth missionary journey. The apostle considered him a fellow co-worker in spreading the gospel and someone who brought him great comfort.
Aristobulus is one of the many Christians, in Rome, mentioned in the last chapter of the book of Romans. Some Biblical commentaries speculate that he was among the seventy people Jesus personally sent on an evangelistic training mission (Luke 10).
Artemas was one of Paul's fellow coworkers sent to Titus on Crete. When he arrived on the island, he was instructed to take on Titus' duties in order to free him up to visit the apostle at Nicopolis. Some commentaries speculate that Artemas was one of the seventy disciples trained by Christ (Luke 10).
Asyncritus is one of the many people, in Rome, mentioned in the last chapter of the book of Romans. His name means "incomparable." Nothing more is stated about him in the Bible.
Augustus (Caesar, Nero)
Acts 17:7, 25:8, 10 - 12, 21, 25,
26:32, 27:1, 24, 28:19, Philippians 4:22
The name Augustus, like Caesar, was usually used in the book of Acts and in Paul's writings as a synonym for Emperor Nero. The emperor ruled the vast Roman Empire from 54 to 68 A.D.
The one exception to the above rule is Acts 27:1's use of the name Augustus. This verse mentions a Julius who was a Roman centurion serving in the Augustus band of the army. This band was named in honor of the first emperor who ruled from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D.
Bar-jesus (Elymas the sorcerer)
Acts 13:6, 8
Bar-jesus was a Jewish false prophet who had attached himself to Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor of the island of Cyprus. He initially tried to convince Paulus not to believe in the gospel preached by Paul and Barnabas who were evangelizing the island. Paul confronted the false teacher and miraculously caused him to be blind "for a season" (Acts 13:11).
Barabbas
Matthew 27:16 - 26, Mark 15:7 - 15
Luke 23:18 - 25, John 18:40
Barabbas was a notorious first century criminal who robbed and murdered (see John 18:40, Acts 3:14). The Romans arrested and deemed him worthy of death for his many crimes, not the least of which included leading a violent insurrection.
Roman custom was to release one prisoner, as a token of appeasement to the Jews, during the Passover season. Although Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor over Judea, desired Barabbas condemned and Jesus set free, he let the people of Jerusalem decide their fate.
The crowd before Pilate, manipulated by Jewish religious leaders (Matthew 27:20), shouted they wanted Barabbas set free instead of Jesus. Pilate, bowing to political pressure, reluctantly released a known murderer and in his place condemned an innocent Christ to death.
Barnabas
Acts 4:36, 9:27, 11:22 - 30, 12:25, 13, 14,
15, 1Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 2:1, 9, 13
Colossians 4:10
Barnabas' name means "son of consolation." He was a Levite from Cyprus who was one of the most generous, faithful and loving Christians in the early church.
Barnabas is the first person to vouch for Saul's (Paul's) Christian character when the Jerusalem church was suspicious of his professed conversion. He was a trusted leader among Christians who was chosen to serve the rapidly expanding number of believers in Syrian Antioch (Acts 11:22 - 24). When the needs in Antioch continued to expand, he enlisted the help of Paul, who was living at home in Tarsus.
Barnabas was commissioned as an apostle and evangelist on the same day as Paul (Acts 13:1 - 3). He traveled with him on his first missionary journey but later separated due to a disagreement over John Mark. Some commentaries speculate, without proof, that Barnabas was one of the seventy men trained by Jesus (Luke 10).
For Judas (surnamed Barsabas), a New Testament prophet, please see this listing.
For Joseph (also surnamed Barsabas), one of only two men selected to possibly replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle, please see this listing.
Bartholomew
Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14, Acts 1:13
Bartholomew is also called Nathanael (John 1:46 - 47). Please see our listing for Nathanael.
Bernice is the daughter of Herod Agrippa I (a grandson of Herod the Great) who ruled over Judea. She had at least one sister named Drusilla (and possible another named Mariamne) and a brother Herod Agrippa II.
Bernice accompanied her brother Agrippa II when he traveled to Caesarea to welcome Festus, the new Roman procurator of Judea who succeeded Felix Antonius. They both heard the Apostle Paul's defense of himself after he had been in Caesarea's prison for two years.
The Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20, Chapter 7) and other writers suggest that she not only lived with her brother Agrippa II but also had an incestuous relationship with him.
Herod Agrippa I, in 44 A.D., was highly displeased with the cities of Tyre and Sidon. These cities, which received provisions from the king, sought a means to be reconciled to him. They were ultimately able to gain the support of Agrippa's chamberlain named Blastus, a person who had considerable influence with the king.
Blastus' support led to Herod giving a speech before those in Tyre and Sidon. The people, anxious to make peace with the king, lavished praised on him to the ridiculous point of declaring, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!" (Acts 12:22).
Herod's over inflated ego refused to give God the glory and instead soaked up all the adulation. Such an action tempted the Eternal, who responded to Herod's gargantuan vanity by sending an angel to carry out the death penalty on the king!