NT Dictionary Terms

1. Herod Antipas: the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. He was the second son of Herod the Great. He ruled from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. He had several construction products, most importantly would be the capital Tiberias. The Gospel of Luke mentions Herod Antipas when Pontius Pilate hands Jesus over to Antipas, who hands him back over to Pilate. (IVP Jesus and the Gospels, p. 322-323)

1. Ananias: a personal name that means “Yahweh has dealt graciously.” Ananias refers to three individuals in the New Testament. The first is a spouse to Sapphira, who sold private property and deceitfully said they were giving all proceeds to the church. He was struck dead. The second was a disciple who lived in the city of Damascus who helped Saul’s conversion. The third Ananias was a Jewish high priest and president of the Sanhedrin when Paul was tried. (Holmans, p. 64)

1. Water Baptism: except when used metaphorically, baptism is always associated with water. Baptism comes from the word baptizo which means “immerse.” It symbolizes the removal of guilt, cleansing, and a new start. It is held as an outward sign of an inward change of the heart, as a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as savior. It is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection. (Holmans, p. 167-168)

1. Caesar Augustus: meaning “reverend”, a name given to Octavian. He ruled Rome during the birth of Jesus. He was the ruler that ordered the taxation that brought Joseph to Bethlehem. He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar and gained power after his death. He defeated Antony and Cleopatra. He was highly esteemed of the roman senate. (Holmans, p. 145)

1. Centurion: an officer in the Roman army, usually in command of 100 soldiers. They were usually career soldiers. They were looked at favorably in several instances in Gospels: One centurion came to Jesus to heal his servant, another one identified Christ as the Son of God at the crucifixion. Another centurion, Cornelius, was converted and began an outreach to the Gentiles. (Holmans, p. 275-6)

1. Crucifixion: a method of execution in the ancient cultures. It was one of the most heinous ways to die since death came so torturously slow. It was always a public affair, and subjected the criminal to ridicule, no proper burial, and to be carrion for the birds. Romans usually flogged first, hammered nails into arms that were extended and raised up. Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion. This form of punishment was reserved for those of lowly status, criminals, slaves, and foreigners. (IVP Background, p. 147-149)

1. King Herod the Great: ruled in Rome from 37-4 BC. He was an Idumean, but was never accepted among Jews. He tried to marry a Jewess, Miramne, and loved her deeply. Because he was so paranoid he had her executed. As a roman official he was an efficient administrator, but also cruel and merciless. Jesus was born during his reign. Due to his paranoia Herod had all the male babies executed  at the time of Jesus’ birth. (Holmans, p.833)

1. Devil: the devil is known as the chief enemy(ies) of God, Jesus and the establishment of the kingdom. The devil is the primary leader of the devils or demons and were created and are controlled by God. The devil, or Satan, maintains the ultimate goal to separate people from God. (IVP Jesus and the Gospels, p. 163-171)

1. Gentile: all men that are not of Jewish descent. They are considered sinful by Jews. (IVP Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, p. 261-263). It refers to a different race or territory or religion. Israelites were restricted from intermarriage with Gentiles. In the New Testament Jesus makes clear that salvation is for both Jews and Gentiles. (Holmans, p. 638)

1. Hell: known as Sheol. It is usually referred to as downwards, with darkness. It is a place for dead, as a grave of eternal punishment and damnation. It is sometimes attributed to Gehenna, a deep valley of Hinnon, as a scene of future carnage. Gehenna was one of seven things created before the world. The valley connotates levels of Hell. (Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, p. 309-312)

1. Jew: Those Israelites that had derived from the line of Judah, or even the tribe of Benjamin after the exilic period. They maintain the covenant promises that were made to the Israelites as God’s chosen nation. They look forward to the coming of the Messiah to save them, though few Jews believe that He has already come. (Holmans, p. 920)

1. Messiah: Messiah literally means “anointed one”, and expresses God’s divine purposes being instilled in certain individuals. Through Jeremiah and Ezekiel Israelites believed in the coming of a royal and priestly divinely purposed individual who would save the Israelites literally. After Jesus’ death and resurrection it was more clearly understood the true terms of His messiahship as a savior of souls, not just a physical deliverer. (Holmans, p. 1111-1115) 

1. Parable: stories that contain pictures, metaphors, or similes that provide a vision of life in God’s kingdom. The broad story conveys many implications but it only has one main point, as opposed to an allegory, which can have several different meanings disclosed by several different comparisons. Parables were also used prior to Jesus and were understood as a literary expression. (Holmans, p. 1244-1246)

1. Pharisee: A member of one of the largest Jewish Parties in the New Testament. Pharisee means “Separated one.” They controlled the synagogues and had a heavy influence over the Jewish population. They separated themselves to study and interpret the law, and were the primary teachers of the law who promoted obedience to God as primarily through following the law than through offering sacrifices. They held the OT as an ultimate authority and understood God to have a concern for man. (Holmans, p. 916-917)

1. Rabbi: A title applied to teachers or those in high position literally meaning “my master.” Jesus forbid the use of rabbi among his disciples, keeping the name separated for himself. He emphasized the use of Lord, to draw away from the simple context of teaching; he was also their Lord and master. (Holmans, p.1360)

1. Roman: pertaining to the Empire of Rome. Roman citizens treated Judaism with tolerance, perhaps out of respect for their long-standing religion. They exempted the Jews from the required idol-worship. Romans encouraged a spirit of diverse integration of cultures and religions. They maintained their authority but they let the regions have their own identity. (IVP Backgrounds, p. 172-173)

1. Caiaphas: The high priest  during Jesus’ time. His name literally means “rock” or “depression”. He served as high priest from A.D. 18 to A.D. 36/37. He was primary leader in the plans to arrest and execute Jesus. Caiaphas was the high priest during Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. He was the son-in-law of Annas. (Holmans, p. 249)

1. Sadducee: A sadducee was a member of the Sadducees, one of the most influential Jewish parties in the New Testament. They were composed of the wealthy and priestly families and were in charge of temple, temple services, and concessions. They opposed the oral law but accepted the Pentateuch as the authority. They did not believe in eternal life and emphasized materialism in the current life since there is no later life. They were also strong opposers to Jesus and his ministry (Holmans, p. 917)

1. Samaritan: a Samaritan referred to the Samaritans  who were from the Northern Kingdom, the area in the central region of Palestine with Galilee to the North and Judea to the South. Several Jews intermarried with Samaritans, who worshipped foreign gods. They were no longer accepted with the other Jews when it was time to rebuild Jerusalem.They accept the Pentateuch as authority and continued to worship at Mount Gerizim. (Holmans, p. 1436)

1. Synagogue: a synagogue was a local place of worship and instruction for Jews. They had their beginnings after the destruction of Solomon’s temple. Most communities had at least one synagogue if not more. They were supervised by local elders who cared for the building and participated in services. A regular service would be as follows: the recitation of the Shema, prayers, Scripture reading from the law and prophets, a sermon, and a benediction. (Holmans, p.1545) 

1. Tax Collector: also known as a Publican, tax collectors were the lowest ranking employees of Rome. Most often tax collectors were Roman, however some were Jewish, like Zacchaeus. Publicans would collect money from the people and tack on an extra fee so that they might exact a profit from the citizens, thus they were considered to be like harlots. (Holmans, p. 1349)

1. Second Temple Period: The period during the time of the second temple. It concludes Old Testament history and starts the intertestamental period. This period was when the Jews were allowed to return from Babylon to rebuild the temple under the leadership of Nehemiah.The Jewish community was reestablished and they were able to continue their worship. (Holmans, p. 829)

1. Sanhedrin: the Sanhedrin was a Jewish council. It was presided over by the high priest and contained both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. There were usually 70 members, Jewish tradition says that Moses appointed the original 70 members and that Ezra reorganized the entity. This council had the power to hold trials and issue arrests, but it is unlikely that they could condemn people to death, as they could not with Jesus. (Holmans, p. 1445)

1. Simon Peter:  was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and part of the inner three. He was known as Simon or Simeon but Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “rock.” He was a Galilean fisherman and was married. He was a leader for the disciples and helped establish the early church, but did not emerge as the leader. He wrote several books of the Bible. (Holmans, p. 1281-2)

1. Bartholomew: one of the twelve disciples. He appears in four different lists of the disciples, but not at all in John. Although he carries many similarities to the Nathanael. Traditionally, Nathanael and Bartholomew are held as one and the same. If so, then Nathanael was famous for asking what good could come out of Nazareth. (Holmans, p. 173, 1176)

1. Thomas: one of the first 12 disciples of Jesus. His name means “a twin.” The apocrypha holds a book titled The Acts of the Thomas. He had much skepticism and is known by the name “Doubting Thomas.” Once he had evidence of Jesus resurrection he confessed his faith wholeheartedly. (Holmans, p. 1592)

1. James, the Younger: the son of Alphaeus and one of the twelve disciples. His mother was among the women at Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb. He is not really distinguished in the Gospels. (Holmans, p. 866)

1. Thaddeus: perhaps one of the disciples listed after James the Younger. His name means “gift of God” in Greek, but “breast” in Hebrew or Aramaic (Holmans, p.1578). He is also called the son of James and may have been known as Judas and/or Labbaeus Thaddaeus. (Holmans, p. 959)

1. Simon the Zealot: one of Jesus’ disciples called “the Canaanite” (Matt 10:4) or the Zealot in Luke 6:15. (Holmans, p. 1504)

1. Paul: a prominent figure in the New Testament. He was a missionary, a theologian, and the authored twenty-five per cent of the New Testament. He was born a “Jew of Jews” from the tribe of Benjamin. He grew up in Jerusalem and knew the religion inside and out. He was a tentmaker by trade and held Roman citizenship. Before his conversion he was know as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of Christians. (Holmans, p. 1254-8)

1. Andrew: one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, originally a disciple of John the Baptist. He followed Christ and brought his brother, Simon, to him. He was a fisherman. He is the disciple that found the boy that had five loaves and two fish. According to extra-biblical texts he is a leader in the early church. (Holmans, p. 66)

1. Philip (the disciple): one of the twelve disciples of Christ. Jesus asked him how to feed the multitude. He brought inquiring Gentiles to Jesus. His query to Jesus to “show him the Father” opened up Christ’s discourse that to see Jesus was to see the Father himself. (Holmans, p. 1288)

1. James, Son of Zebedee: one of the twelve disciples of Christ and part of the inner three. He was a brother of John. He was present with the inner three at three key events: the raising of Jarius’ daughter, the transfiguration, and for support for Jesus in Gethsemane. James and John were known as the “Sons of Thunder” and had great zeal. Their mother inquired on her son’s place of heirarchy in Heaven. He was executed under Herod Agrippa. (Holmans, p.866)

1. Matthew: one of the twelve disciples of Christ. He is also known as Levi. He was a tax collector, thus hated by his fellow Jews. He is also the son of Alphaeus, perhaps the half brother to James the son of Alphaeus. He was a record keeper and a researcher. It is widely held and accepted by the early church that he was the author of The Gospel of Matthew. (Holmans, p. 1090-1091)

1. John, Son of Zebedee: one of the twelve disciples of Christ, and part of the inner three. He was the brother of James the Son of Zebedee and thus one of the “Sons of Thunder.” He was also a fisherman. He was one of the disciples who were sent to prepare the Passover meal for Christ and the disciples. He spoke boldly about the message of the Gospel. He may be the disciple who laid on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper. It is widely held by the early church and by Iraneus that he was the author of the Gospel of John, three letters, and maybe Revelation. (Holmans, p. 931-2)

1. Judas Iscariot: always the last mentioned in the list of twelve disciples. Iscariot means “man of Kerioth”, the town near Hebron, and was the only disciple from Judea. He was the treasurer for the disciples despite his reputation as a thief. Christ predicted his betrayal at the last supper. He sold Jesus to for thirty pieces of silver to the Jewish leaders. Following his traitor ship he hung himself. (Holmans, p. 959)
2. Sources Consulted

Evans, Craig A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series). Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2000. 

Draper, Charles W., ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Revised ed. Edited by Charles W. Draper, Chad Brand and Archie England. Nashville, TN: Holman Publishers, 2003.

Green, Joel B. et al (eds.), Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove: 

InterVarsity, 1992.