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Who are all these various people referenced in the first two chapters of the Book of Acts?
Let
us
consider
those
who were of
YAHSHUA'S
Government,
and
this
Governmental
number
of
12
disciples
whom
YAHSHUA
called
forth,
whom
answered
HIS
call,
and
were
taught
by
HIM.
This
does
have
direct
bearing
upon
that
which
we
are
studying
in
the
Book
of
Acts.
Please do not confuse John the disciple/apostle with John The Baptist.
John
the
Baptist
(called
'the
Baptist',
because
that
is
what
he
did),
was
of
the
tribe
of
Levi.
This
John
was
of
the
priesthood/prophets.
John
the
Baptist
was
also
related
to
YAHSHUA.
YAHSHUA'S
mother,
Mary,
was
of
Judah,
the
king
line
(government)
through
her
father,
and
of
the
Levitical
tribe
(priest/prophet)
through
her
mother.
John
the
Baptist's
mother,
Elisabeth,
was
Mary's
mother's
sister,
therefore,
Mary's
aunt.
YHVH
used
this
product/offspring
(Mary)
out
of
both
these lineages,
uniting
these
two
offices
(government
and
priest/prophet),
as
the
Mother
through
which
HE
(YHVH,
HIMSELF)
would
be
brought
forth
into
the
earth
in
the
flesh
of
YAHSHUA,
JESUS
CHRIST.
YAHSHUA,
therefore
was
YHVH
in
the
flesh...YHVH
in
the
office
of
SAVIOUR.
YAHSHUA'S
mother,
Mary,
can
be
likened
unto
a "fleshly representation or type"
for
the
"woman"
spoken
of
in
Revelations
12:1-2.
Rev
12:1-2
1
And
there
appeared
a
great
wonder
in
heaven;
a
woman
clothed
with
the
sun,
and
the
moon
under
her
feet,
and
upon
her
head
a
crown
of
twelve
stars:
2
And
she
being
with
child
cried,
travailing
in
birth,
and
pained
to
be
delivered.
(KJV)
In
this
chapter
12
of
Revelations
we
can
see
the
goodly
"great
wonder"
and
the
evil
"wonder".
Rev
12:1-17
1
And
there
appeared
a
great
wonder
in
heaven;
a
woman
clothed
with
the
sun,
and
the
moon
under
her
feet,
and
upon
her
head
a
crown
of
twelve
stars:
2
And
she
being
with
child
cried,
travailing
in
birth,
and
pained
to
be
delivered.
3
And
there
appeared
another
wonder
in
heaven;
and
behold
a
great
red
dragon,
having
seven
heads
and
ten
horns,
and
seven
crowns
upon
his
heads.
4
And
his
tail
drew
the
third
part
of
the
stars
of
heaven,
and
did
cast
them
to
the
earth:
and
the
dragon
stood
before
the
woman
which
was
ready
to
be
delivered,
for
to
devour
her
child
as
soon
as
it
was
born.
5
And
she
brought
forth
a
man
child,
who
was
to
rule
all
nations
with
a
rod
of
iron:
and
her
child
was
caught
up
unto
God,
and
to
his
throne.
6
And
the
woman
fled
into
the
wilderness,
where
she
hath
a
place
prepared
of
God,
that
they
should
feed
her
there
a
thousand
two
hundred
and
threescore
days.
7
And
there
was
war
in
heaven:
Michael
and
his
angels
fought
against
the
dragon;
and
the
dragon
fought
and
his
angels,
8
And
prevailed
not;
neither
was
their
place
found
any
more
in
heaven.
9
And
the
great
dragon
was
cast
out,
that
old
serpent,
called
the
Devil,
and
Satan,
which
deceiveth
the
whole
world:
he
was
cast
out
into
the
earth,
and
his
angels
were
cast
out
with
him.
10
And
I
heard
a
loud
voice
saying
in
heaven,
Now
is
come
salvation,
and
strength,
and
the
kingdom
of
our
God,
and
the
power
of
his
Christ:
for
the
accuser
of
our
brethren
is
cast
down,
which
accused
them
before
our
God
day
and
night.
11
And
they
overcame
him
by
the
blood
of
the
Lamb,
and
by
the
word
of
their
testimony;
and
they
loved
not
their
lives
unto
the
death.
12
Therefore
rejoice,
ye
heavens,
and
ye
that
dwell
in
them.
Woe
to
the
inhabiters
of
the
earth
and
of
the
sea!
for
the
devil
is
come
down
unto
you,
having
great
wrath,
because
he
knoweth
that
he
hath
but
a
short
time.
13
And
when
the
dragon
saw
that
he
was
cast
unto
the
earth,
he
persecuted
the
woman
which
brought
forth
the
man
child.
14
And
to
the
woman
were
given
two
wings
of
a
great
eagle,
that
she
might
fly
into
the
wilderness,
into
her
place,
where
she
is
nourished
for
a
time,
and
times,
and
half
a
time,
from
the
face
of
the
serpent.
15
And
the
serpent
cast
out
of
his
mouth
water
as
a
flood
after
the
woman,
that
he
might
cause
her
to
be
carried
away
of
the
flood.
16
And
the
earth
helped
the
woman,
and
the
earth
opened
her
mouth,
and
swallowed
up
the
flood
which
the
dragon
cast
out
of
his
mouth.
17
And
the
dragon
was
wroth
with
the
woman,
and
went
to
make
war
with
the
remnant
of
her
seed,
which
keep
the
commandments
of
God,
and
have
the
testimony
of
Jesus
Christ.
(KJV)
YAHSHUA
was
baptized
of
John
the
Baptist.
This
was
the
baptism,
cleansing,
of
the
flesh.
And,
immediately,
upon
the
conclusion
of
YAHSHUA'S
fleshly
baptism,
then
HE
was
BAPTIZED
of
YHVH'S
HOLY
SPIRIT,
which
brought
forth
a
permanent
change,
making
YAHSHUA,
the
flesh
man
a
HOLY
Vessel.
Matt
3:16-17
16
And
Jesus,
when
he
was
baptized,
went
up
straightway
out
of
the
water:
and,
lo,
the
heavens
were
opened
unto
him,
and
he
saw
the
Spirit
of
God
descending
like
a
dove,
and
lighting
upon
him:
17
And
lo
a
voice
from
heaven,
saying,
This
is
my
beloved
Son,
in
whom
I
am
well
pleased.
(KJV)
John
1:26-34
26
John
answered
them,
saying,
I
baptize
with
water:
but
there
standeth
one
among
you,
whom
ye
know
not;
27
He
it
is,
who
coming
after
me
is
preferred
before
me,
whose
shoe's
latchet
I
am
not
worthy
to
unloose.
28
These
things
were
done
in
Bethabara
beyond
Jordan,
where
John
was
baptizing.
29
The
next
day
John
seeth
Jesus
coming
unto
him,
and
saith,
Behold
the
Lamb
of
God,
which
taketh
away
the
sin
of
the
world.
30
This
is
he
of
whom
I
said,
After
me
cometh
a
man
which
is
preferred
before
me:
for
he
was
before
me.
31
And
I
knew
him
not:
but
that
he
should
be
made
manifest
to
Israel,
therefore
am
I
come
baptizing
with
water.
32
And
John
bare
record,
saying,
I
saw
the
Spirit
descending
from
heaven
like
a
dove,
and
it
abode
upon
him.
33
And
I
knew
him
not:
but
he
that
sent
me
to
baptize
with
water,
the
same
said
unto
me,
Upon
whom
thou
shalt
see
the
Spirit
descending,
and
remaining
on
him,
the
same
is
he
which
baptizeth
with
the
Holy
Ghost.
34
And
I
saw,
and
bare
record
that
this
is
the
Son
of
God.
(KJV)
907
baptizo-
1)
to
dip
repeatedly,
to
immerse,
to
submerge
(used
of
vessels
sunk)
2)
to
cleanse
by
dipping
or
submerging,
to
wash,
to
make
clean
with
water,
to
wash
oneself,
to
bathe
3)
to
overwhelm
Not
to
be
confused
with
0911,
bapto.
The
clearest
example
that
shows
the
meaning
of
baptizo
is
a
text
from
the
Greek
poet
and
physician
Nicander,
who
lived
about
200
B.
C.
It
is
a
recipe
for
making
pickles
and
is
helpful
because
it
uses
both
words.
Nicander
says
that
in
order
to
make
a
pickle,
the
vegetable
should
first
be
`dipped'
(bapto)
into
boiling
water
and
then
`baptized'
(baptizo)
in
the
vinegar
solution.
Both
verbs
concern
the
immersing
of
vegetables
in
a
solution.
But
the
first
is
temporary.
The
second,
the
act
of
baptizing
the
vegetable,
produces
a
permanent
change.
When
used
in
the
New
Testament,
this
word
more
often
refers
to
our
union
and
identification
with
Christ
than
to
our
water
baptism.
For
example,
Mark
16:16.
`He
that
believes
and
is
baptized
shall
be
saved'.
Christ
is
saying
that
mere
intellectual
assent
is
not
enough.
There
must
be
a
union
with
him,
a
real
change,
like
the
vegetable
to
the
pickle!
--Bible
Study
Magazine,
James
Montgomery
Boice
(May,
1989).
Let
us
look
at
these
12
original
disciples
called
forth
by
YAHSHUA.
Matt
4:1-25
1
Then
was
Jesus
led
up
of
the
Spirit
into
the
wilderness
to
be
tempted
of
the
devil.
2
And
when
he
had
fasted
forty
days
and
forty
nights,
he
was
afterward
an
hungred.
3
And
when
the
tempter
came
to
him,
he
said,
If
thou
be
the
Son
of
God,
command
that
these
stones
be
made
bread.
4
But
he
answered
and
said,
It
is
written,
Man
shall
not
live
by
bread
alone,
but
by
every
word
that
proceedeth
out
of
the
mouth
of
God.
5
Then
the
devil
taketh
him
up
into
the
holy
city,
and
setteth
him
on
a
pinnacle
of
the
temple,
6
And
saith
unto
him,
If
thou
be
the
Son
of
God,
cast
thyself
down:
for
it
is
written,
He
shall
give
his
angels
charge
concerning
thee:
and
in
their
hands
they
shall
bear
thee
up,
lest
at
any
time
thou
dash
thy
foot
against
a
stone.
7
Jesus
said
unto
him,
It
is
written
again,
Thou
shalt
not
tempt
the
Lord
thy
God.
8
Again,
the
devil
taketh
him
up
into
an
exceeding
high
mountain,
and
sheweth
him
all
the
kingdoms
of
the
world,
and
the
glory
of
them;
9
And
saith
unto
him,
All
these
things
will
I
give
thee,
if
thou
wilt
fall
down
and
worship
me.
10
Then
saith
Jesus
unto
him,
Get
thee
hence,
Satan:
for
it
is
written,
Thou
shalt
worship
the
Lord
thy
God,
and
him
only
shalt
thou
serve.
11
Then
the
devil
leaveth
him,
and,
behold,
angels
came
and
ministered
unto
him.
12
Now
when
Jesus
had
heard
that
John
was
cast
into
prison,
he
departed
into
Galilee;
13
And
leaving
Nazareth,
he
came
and
dwelt
in
Capernaum,
which
is
upon
the
sea
coast,
in
the
borders
of
Zabulon
and
Nephthalim:
14
That
it
might
be
fulfilled
which
was
spoken
by
Esaias
the
prophet,
saying,
15
The
land
of
Zabulon,
and
the
land
of
Nephthalim,
by
the
way
of
the
sea,
beyond
Jordan,
Galilee
of
the
Gentiles;
16
The
people
which
sat
in
darkness
saw
great
light;
and
to
them
which
sat
in
the
region
and
shadow
of
death
light
is
sprung
up.
17
From
that
time
Jesus
began
to
preach,
and
to
say,
Repent:
for
the
kingdom
of
heaven
is
at
hand.
18
And
Jesus,
walking
by
the
sea
of
Galilee,
saw
two
brethren,
Simon
called
Peter,
and
Andrew
his
brother,
casting
a
net
into
the
sea:
for
they
were
fishers.
19
And
he
saith
unto
them,
Follow
me,
and
I
will
make
you
fishers
of
men.
20
And
they
straightway
left
their
nets,
and
followed
him.
21
And
going
on
from
thence,
he
saw
other
two
brethren,
James
the
son
of
Zebedee,
and
John
his
brother,
in
a
ship
with
Zebedee
their
father,
mending
their
nets;
and
he
called
them.
22
And
they
immediately
left
the
ship
and
their
father,
and
followed
him.
23
And
Jesus
went
about
all
Galilee,
teaching
in
their
synagogues,
and
preaching
the
gospel
of
the
kingdom,
and
healing
all
manner
of
sickness
and
all
manner
of
disease
among
the
people.
24
And
his
fame
went
throughout
all
Syria:
and
they
brought
unto
him
all
sick
people
that
were
taken
with
divers
diseases
and
torments,
and
those
which
were
possessed
with
devils,
and
those
which
were
lunatick,
and
those
that
had
the
palsy;
and
he
healed
them.
25
And
there
followed
him
great
multitudes
of
people
from
Galilee,
and
from
Decapolis,
and
from
Jerusalem,
and
from
Judaea,
and
from
beyond
Jordan.
(KJV)
Who
were
the
first
called
forth
into
YAHSHUA'S
Government
of
12?
"And
Jesus,
walking
by
the
sea
of
Galilee,
saw
two
brethren,
Simon
called
Peter,
and
Andrew
his
brother,
casting
a
net
into
the
sea:
for
they
were
fishers.
And
he
saith
unto
them,
Follow
me,
and
I
will
make
you
fishers
of
men.
And
they
straightway
left
their
nets,
and
followed
him."
The
first
two
were
"Simon
called
Peter"
and
"Andrew
his
brother".
"And
going
on
from
thence,
he
saw
other
two
brethren,
James
the
son
of
Zebedee,
and
John
his
brother,
in
a
ship
with
Zebedee
their
father,
mending
their
nets;
and
he
called
them.
And
they
immediately
left
the
ship
and
their
father,
and
followed
him."
The
next
two
were
"James
the
son
of
Zebedee"
and
"John
his
brother".
Matt
10:2-7
2
Now
the
names
of
the
twelve
apostles
are
these;
The
first,
Simon,
who
is
called
Peter,
and
Andrew
his
brother;
James
the
son
of Zebedee,
and
John
his
brother;
3
Philip,
and
Bartholomew;
Thomas,
and
Matthew
the
publican;
James
the
son
of Alphaeus,
and Lebbaeus,
whose
surname
was Thaddaeus;
4
Simon
the
Canaanite,
and
Judas
Iscariot,
who
also
betrayed
him.
5
These
twelve
Jesus
sent
forth,
and
commanded
them,
saying,
Go
not
into
the
way
of
the
Gentiles,
and
into
any
city
of
the
Samaritans
enter
ye
not:
6
But
go
rather
to
the
lost
sheep
of
the
house
of
Israel.
7
And
as
ye
go,
preach,
saying,
The
kingdom
of
heaven
is
at
hand.
(KJV)
Let
us
look
closer
at
these
12.
Are
they
representative
of
the
144,000?
Rev
7:4-8
4
And
I
heard
the
number
of
them
which
were
sealed:
and
there
were
sealed
an
hundred
and
forty
and
four
thousand
of
all
the
tribes
of
the
children
of
Israel.
5
Of
the
tribe
of
Juda
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Reuben
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Gad
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
6
Of
the
tribe
of
Aser
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Nephthalim
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Manasses
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
7
Of
the
tribe
of
Simeon
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Levi
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Issachar
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
8
Of
the
tribe
of
Zabulon
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Joseph
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
Of
the
tribe
of
Benjamin
were
sealed
twelve
thousand.
(KJV)
Let
us
compare
the
12
sons
of
Jacob
(Israel)
to
those
who
shall
be
sealed
within
the
144,000
election
of
Grace.
Gen
35:23-26
23
The
sons
of
Leah;
Reuben,
Jacob's
firstborn,
and
Simeon,
and
Levi,
and
Judah,
and
Issachar,
and
Zebulun:
24
The
sons
of
Rachel;
Joseph,
and
Benjamin:
25
And
the
sons
of
Bilhah,
Rachel's
handmaid;
Dan,
and
Naphtali:
26
And
the
sons
of
Zilpah,
Leah's
handmaid;
Gad,
and
Asher:
these
are
the
sons
of
Jacob,
which
were
born
to
him
in
Padan-aram.
(KJV)
Note
that
the
tribe
of
"Dan"
who
was
out
of
"Bilhah,
Rachel's
handmaid"
was
not
included
within
those
who
would
be
sealed
as
a
part
of
the
144,000
election
of
Grace.
And,
12,000
from
"the
tribe
of
Manasses"
(half
tribe
out
of
Joseph)
would
be
sealed
as
1/12th
of
the
144,000
election
of
Grace.
Which
tribes
were
the
12
disciples
from?
Simon
(Peter),
and
Andrew
his
brother
James
the
son
of Zebedee,
and
John
his
brother
Philip,
and
Bartholomew
Thomas,
and
Matthew
the
publican
James
the
son
of Alphaeus,
and
Lebbaeus (Thaddaeus)
(The
brother
of
James
who
was
also
called
Judas.)
Simon
the
Canaanite (Zelotes),
and
Judas
Iscariot
Judas
Iscariot
is
the
easiest
one
to
discover,
for
he
was
from
a
town
in
the
tribe
of
Judah
called Kerioth.
Matthew,
who
had
formerly
been
a
tax
collector,
was
also
known
as
Levi.
(Compare
Matthew
9:9-13
with
Mark
2:13-17
and
Luke
5:27-32.)
When
researching
the
name
Levi,
it
refers
to
two
lineages
which
could
be
the
same
lineage.
The
first
is
that
of
the
tribe
of
Levi.
The
second
is
that
of
being
an
ancestor
of
CHRIST.
And,
we
know
that
YAHSHUA'S
flesh
ancestry
was
through
Judah
and
Levi.
The
tribes
from
which
each
of
the
12
came
is
very
difficult
to
ascertain.
Who
were
these
12
disciples?
Matt
10:1-42
1
And
when
he
had
called
unto
him
his
twelve
disciples,
he
gave
them
power
against
unclean
spirits,
to
cast
them
out,
and
to
heal
all
manner
of
sickness
and
all
manner
of
disease.
2
Now
the
names
of
the
twelve
apostles
are
these;
The
first,
Simon,
who
is
called
Peter,
and
Andrew
his
brother;
James
the
son
of
Zebedee,
and
John
his
brother;
3
Philip,
and
Bartholomew;
Thomas,
and
Matthew
the
publican;
James
the
son
of
Alphaeus,
and
Lebbaeus,
whose
surname
was
Thaddaeus;
4
Simon
the
Canaanite,
and
Judas
Iscariot,
who
also
betrayed
him.
5
These
twelve
Jesus
sent
forth,
and
commanded
them,
saying,
Go
not
into
the
way
of
the
Gentiles,
and
into
any
city
of
the
Samaritans
enter
ye
not:
6
But
go
rather
to
the
lost
sheep
of
the
house
of
Israel.
7
And
as
ye
go,
preach,
saying,
The
kingdom
of
heaven
is
at
hand.
8
Heal
the
sick,
cleanse
the
lepers,
raise
the
dead,
cast
out
devils:
freely
ye
have
received,
freely
give.
9
Provide
neither
gold,
nor
silver,
nor
brass
in
your
purses,
10
Nor
scrip
for
your
journey,
neither
two
coats,
neither
shoes,
nor
yet
staves:
for
the
workman
is
worthy
of
his
meat.
11
And
into
whatsoever
city
or
town
ye
shall
enter,
inquire
who
in
it
is
worthy;
and
there
abide
till
ye
go
thence.
12
And
when
ye
come
into
an
house,
salute
it.
13
And
if
the
house
be
worthy,
let
your
peace
come
upon
it:
but
if
it
be
not
worthy,
let
your
peace
return
to
you.
14
And
whosoever
shall
not
receive
you,
nor
hear
your
words,
when
ye
depart
out
of
that
house
or
city,
shake
off
the
dust
of
your
feet.
15
Verily
I
say
unto
you,
It
shall
be
more
tolerable
for
the
land
of
Sodom
and
Gomorrha
in
the
day
of
judgment,
than
for
that
city.
16
Behold,
I
send
you
forth
as
sheep
in
the
midst
of
wolves:
be
ye
therefore
wise
as
serpents,
and
harmless
as
doves.
17
But
beware
of
men:
for
they
will
deliver
you
up
to
the
councils,
and
they
will
scourge
you
in
their
synagogues;
18
And
ye
shall
be
brought
before
governors
and
kings
for
my
sake,
for
a
testimony
against
them
and
the
Gentiles.
19
But
when
they
deliver
you
up,
take
no
thought
how
or
what
ye
shall
speak:
for
it
shall
be
given
you
in
that
same
hour
what
ye
shall
speak.
20
For
it
is
not
ye
that
speak,
but
the
Spirit
of
your
Father
which
speaketh
in
you.
21
And
the
brother
shall
deliver
up
the
brother
to
death,
and
the
father
the
child:
and
the
children
shall
rise
up
against
their
parents,
and
cause
them
to
be
put
to
death.
22
And
ye
shall
be
hated
of
all
men
for
my
name's
sake:
but
he
that
endureth
to
the
end
shall
be
saved.
23
But
when
they
persecute
you
in
this
city,
flee
ye
into
another:
for
verily
I
say
unto
you,
Ye
shall
not
have
gone
over
the
cities
of
Israel,
till
the
Son
of
man
be
come.
24
The
disciple
is
not
above
his
master,
nor
the
servant
above
his
lord.
25
It
is
enough
for
the
disciple
that
he
be
as
his
master,
and
the
servant
as
his
lord.
If
they
have
called
the
master
of
the
house
Beelzebub,
how
much
more
shall
they
call
them
of
his
household?
26
Fear
them
not
therefore:
for
there
is
nothing
covered,
that
shall
not
be
revealed;
and
hid,
that
shall
not
be
known.
27
What
I
tell
you
in
darkness,
that
speak
ye
in
light:
and
what
ye
hear
in
the
ear,
that
preach
ye
upon
the
housetops.
28
And
fear
not
them
which
kill
the
body,
but
are
not
able
to
kill
the
soul:
but
rather
fear
him
which
is
able
to
destroy
both
soul
and
body
in
hell.
29
Are
not
two
sparrows
sold
for
a
farthing?
and
one
of
them
shall
not
fall
on
the
ground
without
your
Father.
30
But
the
very
hairs
of
your
head
are
all
numbered.
31
Fear
ye
not
therefore,
ye
are
of
more
value
than
many
sparrows.
32
Whosoever
therefore
shall
confess
me
before
men,
him
will
I
confess
also
before
my
Father
which
is
in
heaven.
33
But
whosoever
shall
deny
me
before
men,
him
will
I
also
deny
before
my
Father
which
is
in
heaven.
34
Think
not
that
I
am
come
to
send
peace
on
earth:
I
came
not
to
send
peace,
but
a
sword.
35
For
I
am
come
to
set
a
man
at
variance
against
his
father,
and
the
daughter
against
her
mother,
and
the
daughter
in
law
against
her
mother
in
law.
36
And
a
man's
foes
shall
be
they
of
his
own
household.
37
He
that
loveth
father
or
mother
more
than
me
is
not
worthy
of
me:
and
he
that
loveth
son
or
daughter
more
than
me
is
not
worthy
of
me.
38
And
he
that
taketh
not
his
cross,
and
followeth
after
me,
is
not
worthy
of
me.
39
He
that
findeth
his
life
shall
lose
it:
and
he
that
loseth
his
life
for
my
sake
shall
find
it.
40
He
that
receiveth
you
receiveth
me,
and
he
that
receiveth
me
receiveth
him
that
sent
me.
41
He
that
receiveth
a
prophet
in
the
name
of
a
prophet
shall
receive
a
prophet's
reward;
and
he
that
receiveth
a
righteous
man
in
the
name
of
a
righteous
man
shall
receive
a
righteous
man's
reward.
42
And
whosoever
shall
give
to
drink
unto
one
of
these
little
ones
a
cup
of
cold
water
only
in
the
name
of
a
disciple,
verily
I
say
unto
you,
he
shall
in
no
wise
lose
his
reward.
(KJV)
PETER,
SIMON
The
most
prominent
of
Jesus'
twelve
apostles.
The
New
Testament
gives
a
more
complete
picture
of
Peter
than
of
any
other
disciple,
with
the
exception
of
Paul.
Peter
is
often
considered
to
be
a
big,
blundering
fisherman.
But
this
is
a
shallow
portrayal.
The
picture
of
his
personality
portrayed
in
the
New
Testament
is
rich
and
many
sided.
A
more
fitting
appraisal
of
Peter
is
that
he
was
a
pioneer
among
the
twelve
apostles
and
the
early
church,
breaking
ground
that
the
church
would
later
follow.
The
First
Apostle
to
be
Called.
Peter's
given
name
was
Symeon
or
Simon.
His
father's
name
was
Jonah
<Matt.
16:17;
John
1:42>.
Simon's
brother,
Andrew,
also
joined
Jesus
as
a
disciple
<Mark
1:16>.
The
family
probably
lived
at
Capernaum
on
the
north
shore
of
the
Sea
of
Galilee
<Mark
1:21,29>,
although
it
is
possible
they
lived
in
Bethsaida
<John
1:44>.
Peter
was
married,
because
the
gospels
mention
that
Jesus
healed
his
mother-in-law
<Matt.
8:14-15>.
The
apostle
Paul
later
mentioned
that
Peter
took
his
wife
on
his
missionary
travels
<1
Cor.
9:5>.
Peter
and
Andrew
were
fishermen
on
the
Sea
of
Galilee,
and
perhaps
in
partnership
with
James
and
John,
the
sons
of
Zebedee
<Luke
5:10>.
In
the
midst
of
his
labor
as
a
fisherman,
Peter
received
a
call
from
Jesus
that
changed
his
life
<Luke
5:8>.
The
Gospel
of
John
reports
that
Andrew
and
Peter
were
disciples
of
John
the
Baptist
before
they
joined
Jesus.
John
also
reports
that
Peter
was
introduced
to
Jesus
by
his
brother
Andrew,
who
had
already
recognized
Jesus
to
be
the
Messiah
<John
1:35-42>.
Whether
Andrew
and
Peter
knew
Jesus
because
they
were
disciples
of
John
is
uncertain.
But
it
is
clear
that
they
followed
Jesus
because
of
His
distinctive
authority.
The
First
Among
the
Apostles.
Jesus
apparently
gathered
His
followers
in
two
stages:
first
as
disciples
(learners
or
apprentices),
and
later
as
apostles
(commissioned
representatives).
Peter
was
the
first
disciple
to
be
called
<Mark
1:16-18>
and
the
first
to
be
named
an
apostle
<Mark
3:14-16>.
His
name
heads
every
list
of
the
Twelve
in
the
New
Testament.
He
was
apparently
the
strongest
individual
in
the
band.
He
frequently
served
as
a
spokesman
for
the
disciples,
and
he
was
their
recognized
leader
<Mark
1:36;
Luke
22:32>.
Typical
of
Peter's
dominant
personality
was
his
readiness
to
walk
to
Jesus
on
the
water
<Matt.
14:28>,
and
to
ask
Jesus
the
awkward
question
of
how
often
he
should
forgive
a
sinning
brother
<Matt.
18:21>.
An
inner
circle
of
three
apostles
existed
among
the
Twelve.
Peter
was
also
the
leader
of
this
small
group.
The
trio--
Peter,
James,
and
John--
was
present
with
Jesus
on
a
number
of
occasions.
They
witnessed
the
raising
of
a
young
girl
from
the
dead
<Mark
5:37;
Luke
8:51>;
they
were
present
at
Jesus'
transfiguration
<Matt.
17:1-2>;
and
they
were
present
during
Jesus'
agony
in
Gethsemane
<Matt.
26:37;
Mark
14:33>.
During
Jesus'
final
week
in
Jerusalem,
two
of
the
three,
Peter
and
John,
were
sent
to
make
preparations
for
their
last
meal
together
<Luke
22:8>.
The
First
Apostle
to
Recognize
Jesus
as
Messiah.
The
purpose
of
Jesus'
existence
in
the
flesh
was
that
people
would
come
to
a
true
picture
of
who
God
is
and
what
He
has
done
for
man's
salvation.
The
first
apostle
to
recognize
that
was
Peter.
He
confessed
Jesus
as
Lord
in
the
region
of
Caesarea
Philippi
<Matt.
16:13-17>.
Jesus
began
the
process
which
would
lead
to
Peter's
awareness
by
asking
a
non-threatening
question,
"Who
do
men
say
that
I,
the
Son
of
Man,
am?"
<Matt.
16:13>.
After
the
disciples
voiced
various
rumors,
Jesus
put
a
more
personal
question
to
them,
"But
who
do
you
say
that
I
am?"
<Matt.
16:15>.
Peter
confessed
Jesus
to
be
the
Messiah,
the
Son
of
God.
According
to
Matthew,
it
was
because
of
this
confession
that
Jesus
renamed
Simon,
Cephas
(in
Aramaic)
or
Peter
(in
Greek),
meaning
"rock."
Why
Jesus
called
Simon
a
"rock"
is
not
altogether
clear.
Peter's
character
was
not
always
rock-like,
as
his
denial
of
Jesus
indicates.
His
new
name
probably
referred
to
something
that,
by
God's
grace,
he
would
become--
Peter,
a
rock.
The
First
Apostle
to
Witness
the
Resurrection.
How
ironic
that
the
one
who
denied
Jesus
most
vehemently
in
His
hour
of
suffering
should
be
the
first
person
to
witness
to
His
resurrection
from
the
dead.
Yet
according
to
Luke
<Luke
24:34>
and
Paul
<1
Cor.
15:5>,
Peter
was
the
first
apostle
to
see
the
risen
Lord.
We
can
only
marvel
at
the
grace
of
God
in
granting
such
a
blessing
to
one
who
did
not
seem
to
deserve
it.
Peter's
witnessing
of
the
resurrection
was
a
sign
of
his
personal
restoration
to
fellowship
with
Christ.
It
also
confirmed
His
appointment
by
God
to
serve
as
a
leader
in
the
emerging
church.
The
First
Apostle
to
Proclaim
Salvation
to
the
Gentiles.
The
earliest
information
about
the
early
church
comes
from
the
Book
of
Acts.
This
shows
clearly
that
Peter
continued
to
exercise
a
key
leadership
role
in
the
church
for
a
number
of
years.
Indeed,
the
first
11
chapters
of
Acts
are
built
around
the
activity
of
the
apostle
Peter.
When
the
Holy
Spirit
visited
the
church
in
Samaria,
the
apostles
sent
Peter
and
John
to
verify
its
authenticity
<Acts
8:14-25>.
But
this
event
was
only
a
prelude
to
the
one
event
which
concluded
Peter's
story
in
the
New
Testament:
the
preaching
of
the
gospel
to
the
Gentiles
<Acts
10--11>.
The
chain
of
events
that
happened
before
the
bestowal
of
the
Holy
Spirit
on
Gentile
believers--
beginning
with
Peter's
staying
in
the
house
of
a
man
of
"unclean"
profession
<Acts
9:43>,
continuing
with
his
vision
of
"unclean"
foods
<Acts
10:9-16>,
and
climaxing
in
his
realization
that
no
human
being,
Gentile
included,
ought
to
be
considered
"unclean"
<Acts
10:34-48>--
is
a
masterpiece
of
storytelling.
It
demonstrates
the
triumph
of
God's
grace
to
bring
about
change
in
stubborn
hearts
and
the
hardened
social
customs
of
Jewish
believers.
Following
the
death
of
James,
the
brother
of
John,
and
Peter's
miraculous
release
from
prison
<Acts
12>,
Peter
drops
out
of
the
narrative
of
Acts.
Luke
reports
that
he
"went
to
another
place"
<Acts
12:17>.
We
know,
however,
that
Peter
did
not
drop
out
of
active
service
in
the
early
church.
Peter
probably
broadened
his
ministry,
once
the
mantle
of
leadership
of
the
Jerusalem
church
fell
from
his
shoulders
to
those
of
James,
the
Lord's
brother.
Peter
played
a
key
role
at
the
Council
of
Jerusalem
<Acts
15;
Galatians
2>,
which
decided
in
favor
of
granting
church
membership
to
Gentiles
without
first
requiring
them
to
become
Jews.
Paul
mentioned
a
visit
of
Peter
to
Antioch
of
Syria
<Gal.
2:11>,
and
he
may
even
refer
to
a
mission
of
Peter
to
Corinth
<1
Cor.
1:12>.
Peter
dropped
into
the
background
in
the
Book
of
Acts
not
because
his
ministry
ended.
Luke,
the
writer
of
Acts,
simply
began
to
trace
the
course
of
the
gospel's
spread
to
Gentile
Rome
through
the
ministry
of
the
apostle
Paul.
Peter
in
Rome:
The
First
to
Inspire
the
Writing
of
a
Gospel.
According
to
early
Christian
tradition,
Peter
went
to
Rome,
where
he
died.
Only
once
in
the
New
Testament
do
we
hear
of
Peter's
being
in
Rome.
Even
in
this
case,
Rome
is
referred
to
as
"Babylon"
<1
Pet.
5:13>.
Little
is
known
of
Peter's
activities
in
Rome,
although
Papias,
writing
about
A.
D.
125,
stated
that
Peter's
preaching
inspired
the
writing
of
the
first
gospel,
drafted
by
Mark,
who
was
Peter's
interpreter
in
Rome.
This
early
and
generally
reliable
tradition
supports
the
pioneer
role
played
by
Peter
throughout
his
life
and
ministry.
A
number
of
other
works-the
Preaching
of
Peter,
the
Gospel
of
Peter,
the
Apocalypse
of
Peter,
the
Acts
of
Peter,
and
the
Epistle
of
Peter
to
James--
are
apocryphal
in
nature.
They
cannot
be
accepted
as
trustworthy
sources
of
information
for
the
life
and
thought
of
the
apostle.
Peter
the
First
Pope?
Whether
Peter
was
the
first
pope
of
Rome
is
a
question
which
can
be
answered
by
a
study
of
church
history,
not
by
the
New
Testament.
Jesus'
statement
to
Peter
in
<Matthew
16:18>,
"You
are
Peter,
and
on
this
rock
I
will
build
My
church,"
does
not
mention
papal
succession.
But
it
does
emphasize
Peter's
prominent
role
in
the
founding
of
the
church.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
ANDREW
[AN
droo]
(manly)--
brother
of
Simon
Peter
and
one
of
Jesus'
first
disciples.
Both
Andrew
and
Peter
were
fishermen
<Matt.
4:18;
Mark
1:16-18>
from
Bethsaida
<John
1:44>,
on
the
northwest
coast
of
the
Sea
of
Galilee.
They
also
had
a
house
at
Capernaum
in
this
vicinity
<Mark
1:29>.
According
to
the
Gospel
of
John,
Andrew
and
an
unnamed
friend
were
among
the
followers
of
John
the
Baptist
<John
1:35-40>.
When
John
the
Baptist
identified
Jesus
as
the
Lamb
of
God,
both
he
and
Andrew
followed
Jesus
<John
1:41>.
Andrew
then
brought
his
brother
Simon
to
meet
the
Messiah
<John
1:43-51>--
an
action
that
continues
to
be
a
model
for
all
who
bring
others
to
Christ.
At
the
feeding
of
the
5,000,
Andrew
called
Jesus'
attention
to
the
boy
with
five
barley
loaves
and
two
fish
<John
6:5-9>.
Later
Philip
and
Andrew
decided
to
bring
to
Jesus
the
request
of
certain
Greeks
for
an
audience
with
Him
<John
12:20-22>.
Andrew
is
mentioned
a
final
time
in
the
gospels,
when
he
asked
Jesus
a
question
concerning
last
things
in
the
company
of
Peter,
James,
and
John
<Mark
13:3-4>.
All
lists
of
the
disciples
name
Andrew
among
the
first
four
<Matt.
10:2-4;
Mark
3:16-19;
Luke
6:14-16;
Acts
1:13>.
According
to
tradition,
Andrew
was
martyred
at
Patrae
in
Achaia
by
crucifixion
on
an
X-shaped
cross.
According
to
Eusebius,
Andrew's
field
of
labor
was
Scythia,
the
region
north
of
the
Black
Sea.
For
this
reason
he
became
the
patron
saint
of
Russia.
He
is
also
considered
the
patron
saint
of
Scotland.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
JAMES
[The
name
of
five
men
in
the
New
Testament]
James,
the
son
of
Zebedee,
one
of
Jesus'
twelve
apostles.
James'
father
was
a
fisherman;
his
mother,
Salome,
often
cared
for
Jesus'
daily
needs
<Matt.
27:56;
Mark
15:40-41>.
In
lists
of
the
twelve
apostles,
James
and
his
brother
John
always
form
a
group
of
four
with
two
other
brothers,
Peter
and
Andrew.
The
four
were
fishermen
on
the
Sea
of
Galilee.
Their
call
to
follow
Jesus
is
the
first
recorded
event
after
the
beginning
of
Jesus'
public
ministry
<Matt.
4:18-22;
Mark
1:16-20>.
James
is
never
mentioned
apart
from
his
brother
John
in
the
New
Testament,
even
at
his
death
<Acts
12:2>.
When
the
brothers
are
mentioned
in
the
Gospels,
James
is
always
mentioned
first,
probably
because
he
was
the
older.
After
the
resurrection,
however,
John
became
the
more
prominent,
probably
because
of
his
association
with
Peter
<Acts
3:1;
8:14>.
James
was
killed
by
Herod
Agrippa
I,
the
grandson
of
Herod
the
Great,
some
time
between
A.D.
42-44.
He
was
the
first
of
the
twelve
apostles
to
be
put
to
death
and
the
only
one
whose
martyrdom
is
mentioned
in
the
New
Testament
<Acts
12:2>.
James
and
John
must
have
contributed
a
spirited
and
headstrong
element
to
Jesus'
band
of
followers,
because
Jesus
nicknamed
them
"Sons
of
Thunder"
<Mark
3:17>.
On
one
occasion
<Luke
9:51-56>,
when
a
Samaritan
village
refused
to
accept
Jesus,
the
two
asked
Jesus
to
call
down
fire
in
revenge,
as
the
prophet
Elijah
once
had
done
<2
Kin.
1:10,12>.
On
another
occasion,
they
earned
the
anger
of
their
fellow
disciples
by
asking
if
they
could
sit
on
Jesus'
right
and
left
hands
in
glory
<Matt.
20:20-28;
Mark
10:35-45>.
James
was
one
of
three
disciples--
Peter,
James,
and
John--
whom
Jesus
took
along
privately
on
three
special
occasions.
The
three
accompanied
Him
when
He
healed
the
daughter
of
Jairus
<Mark
5:37;
Luke
8:51>;
they
witnessed
His
transfiguration
<Matt.
17:1;
Mark
9:2;
Luke
9:28>;
and
they
were
also
with
Him
in
His
agony
in
Gethsemane
<Matt.
26:37;
Mark
14:33>.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
JOHN
[THE
APOSTLE]
One
of
Jesus'
twelve
disciples,
the
son
of
Zebedee,
and
the
brother
of
James.
Before
his
call
by
Jesus,
John
was
a
fisherman
on
the
Sea
of
Galilee,
along
with
his
father
and
brother
<Matt.
4:18-22;
Mark
1:16-20>.
His
mother
was
probably
Salome
<Matt.
27:56;
Mark
15:40>,
who
may
have
been
a
sister
of
Mary
<John
19:25>,
the
mother
of
Jesus.
Although
it
is
not
certain
that
Salome
and
Mary
were
sisters,
if
it
were
so
it
would
make
James
and
John
cousins
of
Jesus.
This
would
help
explain
Salome's
forward
request
of
Jesus
on
behalf
of
her
sons
<Matt.
20:20-28>.
The
Zebedee
family
apparently
lived
in
Capernaum
on
the
north
shore
of
the
Sea
of
Galilee
<Mark
1:21>.
The
family
must
have
been
prosperous,
because
the
father
owned
a
boat
and
hired
servants
<Mark
1:19-20>.
Salome
the
mother
provided
for
Jesus
out
of
her
substance
<Mark
15:40-41;
Luke
8:3>.
John
must
have
been
the
younger
of
the
two
brothers,
for
he
is
always
mentioned
second
to
James
in
the
Gospels
of
Matthew,
Mark,
and
Luke.
The
brothers
Zebedee
were
the
first
disciples
called
by
Jesus
after
His
baptism
<Mark
1:19-20>.
This
happened
immediately
after
the
call
of
two
other
brothers,
Simon
Peter
and
Andrew
<Mark
1:16-18>,
with
whom
they
may
have
been
in
partnership
<Luke
5:10>.
Three
of
the
four--
Peter,
James,
and
John--
eventually
became
Jesus'
most
intimate
disciples.
They
were
present
when
Jesus
healed
the
daughter
of
Jairus
<Mark
5:37;
Luke
8:51>.
They
witnessed
His
TRANSFIGURATION
<Matt.
17:1-2;
Mark
9:2;
Luke
9:28-29>,
as
well
as
His
agony
in
Gethsemane
<Matt.
26:37;
Mark
14:33>.
Along
with
Peter,
John
was
entrusted
by
Jesus
with
preparations
for
the
Passover
supper
<Luke
22:8>.
James
and
John
must
have
contributed
a
headstrong
element
to
Jesus'
band
of
followers,
because
Jesus
nicknamed
them
"Sons
of
Thunder"
<Mark
3:17>.
On
one
occasion
<Luke
9:51-56>,
when
a
Samaritan
village
refused
to
accept
Jesus,
the
two
offered
to
call
down
fire
in
revenge,
as
the
prophet
Elijah
had
once
done
<2
Kin.
1:10,12>.
On
another
occasion,
they
earned
the
anger
of
their
fellow
disciples
by
asking
if
they
could
sit
on
Jesus'
right
and
left
hands
in
glory
<Mark
10:35-45>.
Following
the
ascension
of
Jesus,
John
continued
in
a
prominent
position
of
leadership
among
the
disciples
<Acts
1:13>.
He
was
present
when
Peter
healed
the
lame
man
in
the
Temple.
Together
with
Peter
he
bore
witness
before
the
Sanhedrin
to
his
faith
in
Jesus
Christ.
The
boldness
of
their
testimony
brought
the
hostility
of
the
Sanhedrin
<Acts
3--4>.
When
the
apostles
in
Jerusalem
received
word
of
the
evangelization
of
Samaria,
they
sent
Peter
and
John
to
investigate
whether
the
conversions
were
genuine
<Acts
8:14-25>.
This
was
a
curious
thing
to
do.
The
Samaritans
had
long
been
suspect
in
the
eyes
of
the
Jews
<John
4:9>.
John
himself
had
once
favored
the
destruction
of
a
Samaritan
village
<Luke
9:51-56>.
That
he
was
present
on
this
mission
suggests
he
had
experienced
a
remarkable
change.
In
these
episodes
Peter
appears
as
the
leader
and
spokesman
for
the
pair,
but
John's
presence
on
such
errands
indicates
his
esteem
by
the
growing
circle
of
disciples.
After
the
execution
of
his
brother
James
by
Herod
Agrippa
I,
between
A.
D.
42-44
<Acts
12:1-2>,
John
is
not
heard
of
again
in
Acts.
Paul's
testimony
to
John
as
one
of
the
"pillars,"
along
with
Peter
and
James
(the
Lord's
brother,
<Gal.
2:9>),
however,
reveals
that
John
continued
to
hold
a
position
of
respect
and
leadership
in
the
early
church.
As
might
be
expected
of
one
of
Jesus'
three
closest
disciples,
John
became
the
subject
of
an
active
and
varied
church
tradition.
Tertullian
(about
A.
D.
160-220)
said
that
John
ended
up
in
Rome,
where
he
was
"plunged,
unhurt,
into
boiling
oil."
A
much
later
tradition
believed
that
both
James
and
John
were
martyred.
The
dominant
tradition,
however,
was
that
the
apostle
John
moved
to
Ephesus
in
Asia
Minor,
and
that
from
there
he
was
banished
to
the
Island
of
Patmos
(during
Domitian's
reign,
A.
D.
81-96).
Tradition
also
held
that
he
returned
later
to
Ephesus,
where
he
died
some
time
after
Trajan
became
emperor
in
A.
D.
98.
Stories
that
John
reclaimed
a
juvenile
delinquent,
raised
a
dead
man,
and
opposed
the
GNOSTIC
heretic
Cerinthus
survive
from
this
era
in
his
life.
It
was
also
the
general
opinion
of
the
time
that
from
Ephesus
John
composed
the
five
writings
which
bear
his
name
in
the
New
Testament
(Gospel
of
John;
1,
2,
and
3
John;
and
Revelation).
Only
the
Revelation
identifies
its
author
as
John
<1:1,9>.
The
second
and
third
epistles
of
John
identify
the
author
as
"the
elder"
<2
John
1;
3
John
1>.
Although
1
John
and
the
Gospel
of
John
do
not
name
their
author,
he
can
be
none
other
than
"the
elder,"
because
style
and
content
in
these
writings
are
unmistakably
related.
It
may
be,
as
tradition
asserts,
that
the
apostle
John
wrote
all
five
documents.
It
appears
more
likely,
however,
that
four
of
the
five
writings
were
actually
penned
not
by
John
the
apostle
but
by
John
the
elder,
a
disciple
and
friend
of
John's
who
relied
directly
on
the
apostle's
testimony
as
he
wrote
the
documents.
This
would
explain
those
passages
in
the
gospel
which
speak
about
the
beloved
disciple
(who
presumably
is
John
the
apostle;
<John
19:35;
21:24>),
as
well
as
the
reference
to
"the
elder"
in
2
and
3
John.
The
Revelation,
however,
was
probably
written
directly
by
the
apostle
John
himself.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
PHILIP
[FILL
ihp]
(lover
of
horses)--
[the
name
of
four
men
in
the
New
Testament]
One
of
the
twelve
apostles
of
Christ
<Matt.
10:3;
Mark
3:18;
Luke
6:14>
and
a
native
of
Bethsaida
in
Galilee
<John
1:44;
12:21>.
According
to
the
Gospel
of
John,
Philip
met
Jesus
beyond
the
Jordan
River
during
John
the
Baptist's
ministry.
Jesus
called
Philip
to
become
His
disciple.
Philip
responded
and
brought
to
Jesus
another
disciple,
named
Nathanael
<John
1:43-51>
or
Bartholomew
<Mark
3:18>.
Philip
is
usually
mentioned
with
Nathanael.
Before
Jesus
fed
the
five
thousand,
He
tested
Philip
by
asking
him
how
so
many
people
could
possibly
be
fed.
Instead
of
responding
in
faith,
Philip
began
to
calculate
the
food
it
would
take
to
feed
them
and
the
cost
<John
6:5-7>.
When
certain
Greeks,
who
had
come
to
Jerusalem
to
worship
at
the
Feast
of
Passover,
said
to
Philip,
"Sir,
we
wish
to
see
Jesus"
<John
12:21>,
Philip
seemed
unsure
of
what
he
should
do.
He
first
told
Andrew,
and
then
they
told
Jesus
of
the
request.
Philip
was
one
of
the
apostles
who
was
present
in
the
Upper
Room
following
the
resurrection
of
Jesus
<Acts
1:13>.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
BARTHOLOMEW
[bar
THOL
oh
mew]
(son
of
Tolmai)--
one
of
the
twelve
apostles
of
Jesus,
according
to
the
four
lists
given
in
the
New
Testament
<Matt.
10:3;
Mark
3:18;
Luke
6:14;
Acts
1:13>.
Many
scholars
equate
Bartholomew
with
NATHANAEL
<John
1:45-49>,
but
no
proof
of
this
identification
exists,
except
by
inference.
According
to
church
tradition,
Bartholomew
was
a
missionary
to
various
countries,
such
as
Armenia
and
India.
He
is
reported
to
have
preached
the
gospel
along
with
Philip
and
Thomas.
According
to
another
tradition,
he
was
crucified
upside
down
after
being
flayed
alive.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
THOMAS
[TAHM
uhs]
(twin)--
one
of
the
twelve
apostles
of
Jesus;
also
called
Didymus,
the
Greek
word
for
"twin"
<Matt.
10:3;
Mark
3:18;
Luke
6:15>.
Thomas
is
probably
best
known
for
his
inability
to
believe
that
Jesus
had
indeed
risen
from
the
dead.
For
that
inability
to
believe,
he
forever
earned
the
name
"doubting
Thomas."
Thomas
was
not
present
when
Jesus
first
appeared
to
His
disciples
after
His
resurrection.
Upon
hearing
of
the
appearance,
Thomas
said,
"Unless
I
see
in
His
hands
the
print
of
the
nails,
and
put
my
finger
into
the
print
of
the
nails,
and
put
my
hand
into
His
side,
I
will
not
believe"
<John
20:25>.
Eight
days
later,
Jesus
appeared
again
to
the
disciples,
including
Thomas.
When
Jesus
invited
him
to
touch
the
nail
prints
and
put
his
hand
into
His
side
Thomas'
response
was,
"My
Lord
and
my
God!"
<John
20:28>.
Of
that
incident
the
great
church
father
Augustine
remarked,
"He
doubted
that
we
might
believe."
Thomas
appears
three
other
times
in
the
Gospel
of
John.
(Except
for
the
listing
of
the
disciples,
Thomas
does
not
appear
in
the
other
three
gospels.)
When
Jesus
made
known
his
intention
to
go
into
Judea,
where
only
a
short
time
before
the
Jews
had
threatened
to
stone
Him,
Thomas
urged
his
fellow
disciples
"Let
us
also
go,
that
we
may
die
with
Him"
<John
11:16>.
Knowing
that
His
earthly
life
would
soon
end,
Jesus
said
He
was
going
to
prepare
a
place
for
His
followers
and
that
they
knew
the
way.
Thomas
asked,
"Lord,
we
do
not
know
where
You
are
going,
and
how
can
we
know
the
way?"
<John
14:5>.
To
that
Jesus
gave
his
well-known
answer:
"I
am
the
way,
the
truth,
and
the
life"
<John
14:6>.
After
the
resurrection,
Thomas
was
on
the
Sea
of
Galilee
with
six
other
disciples
when
Jesus
signaled
to
them
from
the
shore
and
told
them
where
to
cast
their
net
<John
21:2>.
Thomas
was
also
with
the
other
disciples
in
the
Jerusalem
upper
room
after
the
ASCENSION
of
Jesus.
According
to
tradition,
Thomas
spread
the
gospel
in
Parthia
and
Persia,
where
he
died.
Later
tradition
places
Thomas
in
India,
where
he
was
martyred.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
MATTHEW
[MA
thue]
(gift
of
Jehovah)--
a
tax
collector
who
became
one
of
the
twelve
apostles
of
Jesus
<Matt.
9:9>.
Matthew's
name
appears
seventh
in
two
lists
of
apostles
<Mark
3:18;
Luke
6:15>,
and
eighth
in
two
others
<Matt.
10:3;
Acts
1:13>.
In
Hebrew,
Matthew's
name
means
"gift
of
God,"
but
we
know
from
his
trade
that
he
delighted
in
the
gifts
of
others
as
well.
He
was
a
tax
collector
<Matt.
9:9-11>
who
worked
in
or
around
Capernaum
under
the
authority
of
Herod
Antipas.
In
Jesus'
day,
land
and
poll
taxes
were
collected
directly
by
Roman
officials,
but
taxes
on
transported
goods
were
contracted
out
to
local
collectors.
Matthew
was
such
a
person,
or
else
he
was
in
the
service
of
one.
These
middlemen
paid
an
agreed-upon
sum
in
advance
to
the
Roman
officials
for
the
right
to
collect
taxes
in
an
area.
Their
profit
came
from
the
excess
they
could
squeeze
from
the
people.
The
Jewish
people
hated
these
tax
collectors
not
only
for
their
corruption,
but
also
because
they
worked
with
the
despised
Romans.
Tax
collectors
were
ranked
with
murderers
and
robbers,
and
a
Jew
was
permitted
to
lie
to
them
if
necessary.
The
attitude
found
in
the
gospels
is
similar.
Tax
collectors
are
lumped
together
with
harlots
<Matt.
21:31>,
Gentiles
<Matt.
18:17>,
and,
most
often,
sinners
<Matt.
9:10>.
They
were
as
offensive
to
Jews
for
their
economic
and
social
practices
as
lepers
were
for
their
uncleanness;
both
were
excluded
from
the
people
of
God.
It
is
probable
that
the
Matthew
mentioned
in
<Matthew
9:9-13>
is
identical
with
the
Levi
of
<Mark
2:13-17>
and
<Luke
5:27-32>;
the
stories
obviously
refer
to
the
same
person
and
event.
The
only
problem
in
the
identification
is
that
Mark;
mentions
Matthew
rather
than
Levi
in
his
list
of
apostles
<Mark
3:18>,
thus
leading
one
to
assume
two
different
persons.
It
is
possible,
however,
that
the
same
person
was
known
by
two
names
(compare
"Simon"
and
"Peter"),
or,
less
likely,
that
Levi
and
James
the
son
of
Alphaeus
are
the
same
person,
since
Mark
calls
Alphaeus
the
father
of
both
<Mark
2:14;
3:18>.
Following
his
call
by
Jesus,
Matthew
is
not
mentioned
again
in
the
New
Testament.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
JAMES
[the
son
of
Alphaeus]
James,
the
son
of
Alphaeus.
This
James
was
also
one
of
the
twelve
apostles.
In
each
list
of
the
apostles
he
is
mentioned
in
ninth
position
<Matt.
10:3;
Mark
3:18;
Luke
6:15;
Acts
1:13>.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
LEBBAEUS
[THADDAEUS]
[leh
BEE
uhs]
(man
of
heart)--
one
of
the
12
apostles,
also
called
THADDAEUS
<Matt.
10:3>.
According
to
a
church
tradition,
Lebbaeus
is
the
same
person
as
"Judas
the
son
[or
brother]
of
James"
<Luke
6:16>.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
SIMON
[the
Canaanite]
Another
of
the
Twelve,
called
the
Canaanite
to
distinguish
him
from
Simon
Peter.
The
name
may
also
indicate
he
was
a
member
of
a
fanatical
Jewish
sect,
the
ZEALOTS
<Matt.
10:4;
Mark
3:18;
Luke
6:15;
Acts
1:13>.
Members
of
this
group
were
fanatical
opponents
of
Roman
rule
in
Palestine.
As
a
Zealot,
Simon
would
have
hated
any
foreign
domination
or
interference.
(from
Nelson's
Illustrated
Bible
Dictionary)
(Copyright
(C)
1986,
Thomas
Nelson
Publishers)
JUDAS
ISCARIOT
[JOO
duhs
iss
KAR
ih
uht]
(praise
of
the
Lord)--
the
disciple
who
betrayed
Jesus.
Judas
was
the
son
of
Simon
<John
6:71>,
or
of
Simon
Iscariot
(RSV).
The
term
Iscariot,
which
is
used
to
distinguish
Judas
from
the
other
disciple
named
Judas
<Luke
6:16;
John
14:22;
Acts
1:13>,
refers
to
his
hometown
of
Kerioth,
in
southern
Judah
<Josh.
15:25>.
Thus,
Judas
was
a
Judean,
the
only
one
of
the
Twelve
who
was
not
from
Galilee.
The
details
of
Judas'
life
are
sketchy.
Because
of
his
betrayal
of
Jesus,
Judas,
however,
is
even
more
of
a
mystery.
It
must
be
assumed
that
Jesus
saw
promise
in
Judas,
or
He
would
not
have
called
him
to
be
a
disciple.
Judas'
name
appears
in
three
of
the
lists
of
the
Twelve
disciples
<Matt.
10:2-4;
Mark
3:16-19;
Luke
6:14-16>,
although
it
always
appears
last.
His
name
is
missing
from
the
list
of
the
11
disciples
in
<Acts
1:13>;
by
that
time
Judas
had
already
committed
suicide.
Judas
must
have
been
an
important
disciple,
because
he
served
as
their
treasurer
<John
12:6;
13:29>.
During
the
week
of
the
Passover
festival,
Judas
went
to
the
chief
priests
and
offered
to
betray
Jesus
for
a
reward
<Matt.
26:14-16;
Mark
14:10-11>.
At
the
Passover
supper,
Jesus
announced
that
He
would
be
betrayed
and
that
He
knew
who
His
betrayer
was--
one
who
dipped
his
hand
with
him
in
the
dish
<Mark
14:20>,
the
one
to
whom
He
would
give
the
piece
of
bread
used
in
eating
<John
13:26-27>.
Jesus
was
saying
that
a
friend,
one
who
dipped
out
of
the
same
dish
as
He,
was
His
betrayer.
These
verses
in
John
indicate
that
Judas
probably
was
reclining
beside
Jesus,
evidence
that
Judas
was
an
important
disciple.
Jesus
said
to
Judas,
"What
you
do,
do
quickly"
<John
13:27>.
Judas
left
immediately
after
he
ate
<John
13:30>.
The
first
observance
of
the
Lord's
Supper
was
probably
celebrated
afterward,
without
Judas
<Matt.
26:26-29>.
Judas
carried
out
his
betrayal
in
the
Garden
of
Gethsemane.
By
a
prearranged
sign,
Judas
singled
out
Jesus
for
the
soldiers
by
kissing
him.
The
gospels
do
not
tell
us
why
Judas
was
needed
to
point
out
Jesus,
who
had
become
a
well-known
figure.
It
is
possible
that
Judas
disclosed
where
Jesus
would
be
that
night,
so
that
He
could
be
arrested
secretly
without
the
knowledge
of
His
many
supporters
<Matt.
26:47-50>.
Matthew
reports
that,
realizing
what
he
had
done,
Judas
attempted
to
return
the
money
to
the
priests.
When
the
priests
refused
to
take
it,
Judas
threw
the
money
on
the
Temple
floor,
went
out,
and
hanged
himself.
Unwilling
to
use
"blood
money"
for
the
Temple,
the
priests
bought
a
potter's
field,
which
became
known
as
the
"Field
of
Blood"
<Matt.
27:3-10>.
But
the
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