Quartus was a Christian in Corinth who sent his greetings to his converted brethren in Rome in the last chapter of Romans. Nothing more is known about him.
Peter, after being freed from Herod Agrippa's prison, travels the short distance to the house of Mary (the mother of Mark the gospel writer). He knocks at the door while a large group of believers is inside praying (almost certainly for him). The door is answered by a woman named Rhoda who was possibly a maid.
Rhoda, upon hearing Peter's voice, forgets to open the door in the excitement of telling those gathered that the apostle had arrived! The group's disbelief and unwillingness to believe that a miracle occurred is rather striking (Acts 12:13 - 15). Peter is ultimately let into the house to the shock and amazement of all those present.
Paul not only sent greetings to Rufus but also his mother. He also affectionately states Rufus' mother lovingly treated him like one of her sons. It is also unclear whether this Rufus was the son of Simon the Cyrenian who was forced to carry the cross on which Jesus was crucified (see Mark 15:21).
There are at least two different women named Salome referenced in the New Testament.
The first Salome was likely the mother of the apostles John and James the Greater (the sons of Zebedee). She is the woman who requested her two sons sit next to Jesus in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 20:20 - 21). This Salome also accompanied several other women to Jesus' tomb (Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40, 16:1).
The second Salome in the New Testament is not named directly in Scripture. She is, however, named and referenced several times by the first century historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 5, Section 4). This Salome was Herodias' daughter through Herod Philip I. Herodias, an unknown number of years after Salome was born, divorced Herod Philip and married Herod Antipas (tetrarch of Galilee) despite the arrangement being condemned by John the Baptist (Mark 6:17 - 18).
Salome's erotic dance before her stepfather Herod, on his birthday, so pleased him that he offered to give her anything she wanted. On her mother's advice, she asked for the head of John the Baptist, who was in Herod's prison (Mark 6). Her wish was granted.
See our listing for Ananias and Sapphira.
Saul
Acts 7:58, 8:1 - 3, 9:1 - 26, 11;25 - 30, etc.
Saul was the birth name of the Apostle Paul. For more information please visit our section dedicated to the life, ministry and missionary journeys of Paul.
Sceva's seven sons, whose names are not recorded, are labeled "vagabond Jews" and exorcists by Luke (Acts 19:13 - 16). They foolishly, in Ephesus, attempted to cast out a demon from a man by commanding, "We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims" (verse 13, HBFV). Their vain attempt failed miserably and caused them to be physically wounded! News of the beating they received quickly spread "and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified" (Acts 19:17).
Secundus, a native of Thessalonica, Sopater, who lived in Berea, and several others traveled with Paul during his third missionary journey. Secundus accompanied the apostle on the last leg of his evangelistic tour that took him through Macedonia to Asia. It is unclear if Secundus went with him on the remaining part of the trip to Tyre and ultimately Jerusalem.
Sergius Paulus was the Roman governor of Cyprus during the first missionary journey. When Paul and Barnabas were on the island, the governor requested they speak to him. Sergius became a Christian after Paul miraculously countered the evil influence of Bar-jesus upon the governor.
Sergius is noteworthy for two important milestones in the life of Paul. He is the first person recorded as being converted to Christianity through his preaching. The incident that he was involved in with Bar-jesus is also the Biblical place where Saul, the name used for the apostle up to Acts 13, changes to Paul.
Silas (Silvanus)
Acts 15:22 - 40, 16:19 - 29, 17:4 - 15, 18:5
1Thessalonians 1:1, 2Thessalonians 1:1
2Corinthians 1:19, 1Peter 5:12
Silas was a Jewish Christian, living in Jerusalem, who was considered a prophet.
We are introduced to Silas as one of the church's "leading men" sent to go with Paul and Barnabas to Syrian Antioch. The purpose of the trip was to distribute the decision of the Jerusalem Conference among the brethren. Silas, after the task completed, stayed in Antioch.
Silas, after a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas split the two apostles up, teams up with him on his second evangelistic journey through Galatia and parts westward. Barnabas decides to take his relative John Mark on a trip to revisit the people living in Cyprus.
Silas accompanies Paul and shares in his hardships as they visit Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. He stays in Berea for an extended period to aid the fledgling church then rejoins Paul in Corinth.
Almost nothing is known of Silas after the second missionary journey. The last mention of him, around 65 A.D., states that he delivered Peter's first epistle "to the elect strangers scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1Peter 1:1).
Simeon was an elderly and pious man when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God in Jerusalem's temple. Inspired by God's spirit, Simeon gave an amazing prophecy concerning the purpose of Jesus' life and how it would affect the world (Luke 2:30 - 35).
Simeon, called Niger (a Greek word meaning "black"), is labeled by Luke as one of several prophets and teachers that attend church in Syrian Antioch (Acts 13). Nothing more is known about him.
Simon (Jesus' brother)
Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3
Simon was one of four half-brothers (same mother, different father) of Jesus Christ. Nothing else is known about him.
This Simon is famous for hosting the apostle Peter during a stay in Joppa. It is at his house where Peter experienced his vision of unclean animals (Acts 10:10 - 17). It is also the location a man named Cornelius, who would become the first Gentile convert to Christianity, was told (also in a vision) he would find the apostle (verses 1 - 6).
It was no accident that Peter stayed at a tanner's house. The work of tanners produced such an obnoxious smell that it caused them to practice their trade outside a village or town. In Simon's case, it led him to work outside of Joppa near a river (Acts 10:6).
Simon's trade offered two major advantages that God used to fulfill his will. It allowed Peter to stay in a place of solitude where he could pray and where the Eternal could give him a vision that would lead to a monumental change in the direction of the early church. It also, because of the stench, made it easy for Cornelius' two servants and a soldier (Acts 10:7 - 8) to find Peter!
Simon the Canaanite (Zelotes, Zealot)
Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18
Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13
Simon the Canaanite is also referred to as Simon Zelotes (Simon the Zealot) in the KJV New Testament of Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13. He was one of the original twelve apostles and the brother of fellow original apostles Judas (not Iscariot) and James the Less.
Zealots were a first century extremist political movement, composed of Jews, who opposed the Roman occupation of Israel. Their purpose was to incite fellow Jews into rebelling against the Roman Empire and expelling them from Palestine by force.
Foxe's believes he preached the gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain. It is in Britain where it is believed he was crucified.
When God's builds his New Jerusalem, the gemstone that will be an everlasting memorial to Simon's efforts will likely be either a Chrysoprase or a jacinth stone.
Simon of Cyrene
Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26
Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. He was forced, by Roman soldiers, to carry Jesus' cross to Golgotha (the place of the skull). Nothing else is known about him.
Please see our listing for the Apostle Peter.
Simon the Sorcerer
Acts 8:5 - 24
Simon the Sorcerer is also called Simeon Magus. He was a Samaritan sorcerer who practiced the magical arts and presented himself as being someone who was "great" (Acts 8:9).
Simon, upon hearing the preaching of Philip the evangelist, is baptized. After his baptism, he becomes awed by the signs and wonders performed by Philip and lusts to have them. The Jerusalem church then sends Peter and John to where Philip is located.
Simon Magus, when Peter and John arrive, witnesses many people receiving God's spirit after they have hands laid upon them. Desiring to have the same power in order to further bolster his "greatness," Magus offers money in an attempt to purchase such an ability. The Apostle Peter strongly rebukes the sorcerer for his vanity, greed and general wickedness (Acts 8:20 - 23).
The term "Simony," used to denote a person who makes a profit from religious or sacred things, is derived from the Acts 8 actions of Simon Magus.
Sopater, who lived in Berea, as well as several others, traveled with Paul during his third missionary journey. Sopater accompanied the apostle on his eastward journey through Macedonia to Asia. It is unclear if he went on the remaining part of the trip to Tyre and Jerusalem.
Sosipater was a Jewish Christian who sent his greetings to Christians in Rome through Paul's letter to the Romans. Evidence suggests Sosipater may have been one of Apostle Paul's distant relatives living in Corinth when Paul wrote his letter from the city in 57 A.D.
Sosthenes
Acts 18:17, 1Corinthians 1:1
A man named Sosthenes is mentioned twice in Scripture. The first mention, in Acts, states that a Jew named Sosthenes was the chief ruler of a synagogue in Corinth (Acts 18:17). He was likely the replacement for Crispus, the previous ruler, who had converted to Christianity after hearing Paul preach (verse 8).
After Proconsul Gallio flatly refused to hear the charges against the Apostle Paul brought by angry Jews, the Greeks (Gentiles) beat up Sosthenes (Acts 18:17). The Greeks, many of whom did not like the Jews, may have seen their rejection as an opportunity for revenge.
The second time a Sosthenes is mentioned is in the opening statement to the book 1Corinthians. Written from Ephesus, Paul greets those in Corinth and links his greeting with Sosthenes who is with him. It is unclear whether the Sosthenes of Acts and 1Corinthians are the same person.
Stachys is one of the many Roman Christians Paul salutes in his letter sent to Rome. The apostle considers Stachys "beloved." Nothing more is known about him.
Stephanas
1Corinthians 1:16, 16:15, 17
Stephanas and his family are noteworthy as being the earliest converts to Christianity in the province of Achaia (which includes Athens and Corinth). They were also some of the few people Paul personally baptized in Corinth (1Corinthians 1:16). After their conversion, they dedicated themselves to serving the church of God.
Stephanas, as well as Fortunatus and Achaicus, visited Paul in Ephesus during his extended stay in the city (54 to 57 A.D.). The notation at the end of 1Corinthians, found in some Bible translations, asserts that Stephanas helped write down this epistle dictated to him.
Stephen
Acts 6, 7:59, 8:2, 11:19, 22:20
Stephen is the first recorded New Testament martyr who died after Jesus' resurrection. He was an early Jewish convert to Christianity who possessed a high level of wisdom and spiritual maturity. In fact, his character was such that the early church chose him, and six others, to be the first specially designated servants (other than the apostles) of the fledgling Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1 - 6).
Stephen's knowledge of the Scriptures and ability to refute those who argued against the gospel was exceptional and noteworthy. The result of those who attempted to dispute Stephen and what he taught was, "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke" (Acts 6:10).
Unable to refute, Biblically, the gospel, Jews from Alexandria, Asia, Cilicia and other places get Stephen arrested on false charges. He is dragged before the Sanhedrin, the highest religious court among the Jews, to answer the accusations.
Stephen's stirring synopsis of Old Testament history and condemnation of the hypocrisy of those who say they follow God is more than the Sanhedrin can handle (Acts 7). Their fury and total indignation causes them to gnash their teeth!
Stephen is then blessed with a unique vision. It is so incredible that when he describes it to the Jewish religious leaders they scream and plug their ears because they think he is uttering the highest blasphemy! The leaders, who reject the teaching that Jesus is the Messiah, hear Stephen state he sees heaven opened and witnesses not only God on his throne but also Jesus Christ standing (not sitting!) at his right hand! Stephen is quickly rushed outside Jerusalem and stoned.
Syntyche was a prominent female Christian living in Philippi, a place where the church first took root among the city's females (Acts 16:13 - 15). Paul, in his letter to the church, asked her and Euodia, another Christian woman, to settle their differences. Both of them had helped Paul in the work of the gospel. It is unknown what the nature of their disagreement was.