Simon was one of four half-brothers (same mother, different father) of Jesus Christ. 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 was an elderly and pious man when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God in Jerusalem's temple. For more information, please see his listing under those connected to the Apostle Paul.Īcts 15:22 - 40, 16:19 - 29, 17:4 - 15, 18:5 Saul was the birth name of the Apostle Paul. Her wish was granted and John died a martyr for God's truth. On her mother's advice, she asked for the head of John the Baptist, who was in Herod's prison (Mark 6). Salome's erotic dance before her stepfather Herod, on his birthday, so pleased him that he offered to give her anything she wanted. 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). This Salome was Herodias' daughter through Herod Philip I. She is, however, named and referenced several times by the first century historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 5, Section 4). The second Salome in the New Testament is not named directly in Scripture. This Salome also accompanied several other women to Jesus' tomb (Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40, 16:1). She is the woman who requested her two sons sit next to Jesus in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 20:20 - 21).

The first Salome was likely the mother of the apostles John and James the Greater (the sons of Zebedee). There are at least two different women named Salome referenced in the New Testament. Peter is ultimately let into the house to the shock and amazement of all those present. 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). The door is answered by a woman named Rhoda who was possibly a maid. He knocks at the door while a large group of believers is inside praying (almost certainly for 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). These men are commonly referred to as the New Testament's first deacons. Prochorus was one of the first seven men, selected by the early church, to handle the daily distribution of food to the poor saints in Jerusalem. For more information, please see their listing under those connected to Paul. They were also close friends to the Apostle Paul. Priscilla and Aquila were a husband and wife team who taught Apollos about Jesus Christ (Acts 18). Pilate, regrettably, released Barabbas and sent the Lord to the crucified. To his surprise the crowd, manipulated by those who hatred Jesus, demanded Barabbas be freed and the Lord crucified.

He therefore allowed the people of Jerusalem to decide whether Christ or Barabbas would die in the likely hope Jesus would be freed. While he did not want, unilaterally, to condemn Christ, he also wanted to appease the Jews. Pilate rightfully suspected that Jesus' arrest by the Jews centered far more on religious disagreements rather than a state crime deserving the death penalty. He (and his wife) believed Jesus was undeserving of death. He was Rome's authority in Judea from 26 to 36 A.D.

Pontius Pilate was Roman Prefect (governor) of Judea during the time of Jesus' public ministry and crucifixion. Please see our listing for Herod Philip II. This Philip is sometimes referred to as Herod Philip II by modern authors.

For more information, please see his listing under those connected to Paul. He was later used to preach to and baptize an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26 - 40) and to evangelize the city of Azotus (anciently called Ashdod, a Philistine city), as well as the surrounding area up to Caesarea. Philip was used by God to powerfully preach the gospel and perform miracles in Samaria (Acts 8:5 - 6). This Philip, as well as six others, had such exemplary character in the early church that they were specially selected to serve members (Acts 6:1 - 6). The New Testament also references another Philip called an evangelist.

Bible study on simon the sorcerer