Bible Content: G - NT Key People Flashcards
Herod the Great
Matt. 2; Lk. 1
King of the Jews during the time of Jesus’ birth. He was the King Herod whom the Magi visited as they sought Jesus. Gave orders to kill all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under. Joseph had been told by the Lord in a dream to flee to Egypt. They returned after Herod’s death.
Herod Antipas
Mt. 14; Lk. 3, 9, 13, 23; Mk. 6
The Herod who imprisoned and executed John the Baptist. He also briefly encountered Jesus when he was sent by Pilate to Herod (Lk. 23). Jesus described him as “that fox” (Lk. 13). He divorced his first wife in order to marry Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Herod Philip. John was imprisoned because he denounced this second marriage as unlawful (Mk. 6:17ff).
Pharisees
Throughout the gospels, esp. Matt. 23
Non-professional, small (6,000 adherents), influential. Held in high esteem by populace and they considered themselves the true Israel. Insisted they preserved and interpreted the oral Law of Moses (see Mt. 5:20). Beliefs: attempted to balance human merit and divine grace; soul is imperishable and there will be a resurrection of the dead; simple living (no concession to luxury); high view of human capacity. For them the life of faith was obedience to the Law and they held de facto that tradition and interpretation supersede law.
Sadducees
Throughout the Gospels, esp. Mk. 12
Strong adherence to biblical authority, as opposed to oral traditions of Pharisees. Human agency stressed over fate and God’s activity. Anti supernaturalist: denied resurrection and angels. Were priestly, aristocratic, wealthy and largely unpopular with the people. Cooperated with the Romans. They were the governing party of the religious establishment.
Essenes
Repudiated slavery, never took oaths, and rigorously observed the Sabbath. Rejected animal sacrifice in favor of bringing gifts to the temple, paid close attention to personal purification rites, and preferred white clothing. Simple lifestyle in the context of communalism. They were apolitical and determined quietists. Practiced celibacy, yet not enforced. Disappeared from records after 70 A.D.
Zealots
Instigators of the revolt against Rome in 67 A.D. Argued that it was unlawful to pay taxes to Rome, for God alone was Lord. Sacarii (dagger men) would stab prominent Jewish leaders who had collaborated with Roman officials.
Samaritans
Viewed by the Jews as co-religionists, due to mixed marriages and syncretistic religions and culture. 4 B.C. they built a replica of the Jerusalem Temple on Mount Gerazim (Judeans saw as a violations of the Torah), and asked that the temple be dedicated to Zeus Hellenios. They were Pro-Rome and Pro-Herod.
Proselytes and God-fearers
Proselytes had to meet three requirements to become Jews:
1. circumcision
2. baptism
3. temple offering
All males were circumcised regardless of age and both males and females were baptized and family members were baptized, regardless of age. God-Fearers who viewed circumcision as mutilation and became part members of the Jewish community. They practiced Jewish ethical standards and practiced Jewish piety, participated in imageless worship and attended synagogue.
Herodians
Partisan to Herod and supporters of the Herodian dynasty.
Cynicism
Suffering had merit. Four distinct elements in their understanding of the nature of the universes:
1. Pessimistic Worldview (Weltanschauung)
2. Wise one is part of a decided minority
3. Tendency toward masochism
4. Suffering is believed to be part of nature and therefore beneficial to experience.
Stoicism
Philosophical understanding of their world and they endeavored to think systematically. The divine logos (soul of the universe) principle controlled the cosmos and permeated all of creation. Believed that God determined the world and all of its events. Pain, suffering, and evil operated in a just and purposeful manner, thus suffering was positive. They had three main intellectual preoccupations:
1. Physics; embodiment of a nonmaterial force, partly active (soul) and partly passive
2. Logic
3. Ethics
Epicureans
Advocated pure morality. Defined pleasure as the absence of pain, avoidance of trouble, and freedom from annoyances. Desired to achieve tranquility of mind. The greatest disturbance to having a tranquil mind and the most prolific source of all evils is the belief that the gods punish evildoers. Their fundamental principle for a happy life was ‘nothing ever comes about by divine power.’ They believed that no divine purpose rules nature and apply physics or materialistic account to make it possible.
The Apostles
Mt. 10; Mk. 3
They were appointed and designated Apostles by Jesus that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and drive out demons (Mk. 3:14-15). They became his witnesses and according to church tradition, all were martyred except for John. They provided leadership in the early church by carrying out ministry of prayer and the word.
- Simon (Peter)
- Andrew (brother of Simon)
- James (Son of Zebedee)
- John (brother of James)
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Thomas
- Matthew (the tax collector)
- James (Son of Alphaeus)
- Thaddeus
- Simon (the Zealot)
- Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus), later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1).
Peter
Mt. 14, 26, 16; Mk. 14; Lk. 22; Jn. 21; Acts 2-5, 10-11; Petrine Epistles
Walked on the water with Jesus (Mt. 14). Was part of an inner circle of Apostles who had special access to Jesus (along with James and John; see e.g. Mt. 17.). Betrayed Jesus and was restored. Preached at Pentecost and became a key early leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2-5). His vision and interaction with Cornelius led to Jewish church embracing mission to Gentiles (Acts 10-11). Church tradition say was crucified upside down in Rome.
Cornelius
Acts 10
Centurion and devout God-fearer who gave generously to needy and prayed regularly. Had a vision where an angel of God told him to send for Peter who was at that time in Joppa. God confirmed this request to Peter through a vision, and Peter went to Cornelius in Caesarea. While Peter was speaking to his household the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard the message and they were baptized with water. This incident confirmed to the Jews that the gospel would go to the Gentiles.
Barnabas
Acts 4, 11, 13-15
Also known as Joseph from Cyprus. Was a Levite who sold a field he owned and put the proceeds at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4). Barnabas means Son of Encouragement. Sent by church at Jerusalem to Antioch where ministered. Went to Tarsus to find Paul and brought him to the church at Antioch. Sent out by the church at Antioch with Paul as missionary to Gentiles. Later differed with Paul over John Mark and the two went their separate ways.
Stephen
Acts 6-7
One of the seven chosen by the people to serve physical needs of the church at Jerusalem. Full of the Spirit and Wisdom and did great wonders and miraculous signs (Acts 6). Was seized by members of the Synagogue of Freedmen who brought him before the Sanhedrin. After testifying about Jesus before the Sanhedrin was stoned to death. The first recorded martyr of the early church.
Paul
Acts 7, 9, 13-28; Pauline Epistles
Born in Tarsus, a Roman citizen. Educated in Jerusalem as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. Initially persecuted the church as a member of the Sanhedrin, but was confronted by Christ on the Damascus road and converted. Spent time in Damascus after conversion then made a brief visit to Jerusalem where met with John, Peter and James. After that meeting spent several years in Tarsus before going to Antioch with Barnabus. Spent about a year in Antioch and then went to Jerusalem. Sent out by the church at Antioch as a missionary to Gentiles, and made his first missionary journey with Barnabas. Attended the apostolic council, and then made his second missionary journey with Silas after differing with Barnabas over Mark. Went on a third missionary journey and then returned to Jerusalem where he was imprisoned in Caesarea and eventually sent to Rome. Author of Romans, 1-2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, 1-2 Thess, 1-2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon.
