More NT Figures

Jesus’ response: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Thomas is the patron saint of everyone who needs evidence.

Without Barnabas, Paul might never have been accepted by the church. Without Barnabas, Mark might never have recovered to write the Gospel of Mark.

John 3:16 — the most famous verse in the Bible — was spoken to Nicodemus in a private nighttime conversation.

“Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). The story of a man so desperate to see Jesus he climbed a tree, and so transformed he gave away his fortune.

Every human is Barabbas. The guilty go free because the innocent takes their place. His name is the theology in miniature.

The first recorded deaths in the church were judgment for lying about money. The early church was not playing around.

A pagan Roman soldier made the same confession that took Peter years to arrive at. He reached it by watching a man die.

Early church tradition (not Scripture) identifies him as the father of all heresies. The Pseudo-Clementine writings portray Simon as Peter’s archenemy. Some Gnostic traditions claim he was the “Standing One” — a rival Christ figure.

The first convert on the European continent was a self-made businesswoman who dealt in luxury goods. The church at Philippi — Paul’s favorite church and recipient of Philippians — started in her living room.