*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Pharisees

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Pharisee, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Pharisees 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Second Temple period (circa 2nd century BC to 1st century AD); especially prominent during the New Testament era, appearing frequently in the Gospels and Acts. 4. Origin / Background The Pharisees emerged during the intertestamental…
Sadducees

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders, Sadducee

1. Name / Role Sadducees 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Prominent during the Second Temple period, especially in the first century BC and first century AD. They feature frequently in the Gospels and Acts as a leading religious and political faction in Jewish society. 4.…
Priests

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Priest, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Priests 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Spanning from the time of Moses and the establishment of the Tabernacle (circa 15th century BC) through the Temple periods in Jerusalem. Priests were central figures in both Old Testament Israel and Second Temple Judaism,…
Prophets

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Prophet, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Prophets 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Prophets appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, with their primary prominence during the time of the kings of Israel and Judah (approximately 1050–400 BC). They also appear in the New Testament in the…
Levites

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Levites, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Levites 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Old Testament to Second Temple period. The Levites appear from the time of the Exodus (circa 15th century BC) and continue to serve through Israel’s wilderness journey, conquest, monarchy, exile, and return. Their presence is…
Disciples

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Disciple, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Disciples 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Primarily New Testament period, especially in the Gospels and Acts. The term is used during Jesus’ earthly ministry and continues into the early Church era. Discipleship remains a defining concept for Christian life across all…
Apostles

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Apostle, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Apostles 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context New Testament period, particularly during the earthly ministry of Jesus, the post-resurrection era, and the early Church as recorded in Acts and the Epistles. The apostolic role is foundational to early Christian theology and church…
Scribes

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Scribes 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Active from the post-exilic period (circa 5th century BC) through the Second Temple era and into the New Testament period. Scribes feature prominently in the Gospels as experts in the Jewish Law and are often…
Teachers of the Law

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Law, Biblical Social Perception, Leadership

1. Name / Role Teachers of the Law (also referred to as “lawyers” or “experts in the Law”) 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Primarily featured in the New Testament period, especially in the Gospels. They were key figures within Second Temple Judaism, often mentioned alongside…
Nazirites

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Nazirites 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Old Testament period, particularly during the wilderness wanderings and the time of the Judges. The Nazirite vow is detailed in the Pentateuch and appears in narratives through the early monarchy. It is referenced symbolically in…
False Prophets

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Prophet, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role False Prophets 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Found throughout both the Old and New Testaments, from the time of Israel’s wilderness wanderings through the monarchy, exile, and into the New Testament Church era. They were present in times of national crisis,…
King

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role King 2. Category Royal & Noble Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Kings appear throughout the Old Testament—from the time of Israel’s monarchy beginning with Saul (circa 1050 BC) through the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the exile, and prophetic literature. The New Testament…
Queen

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Queen 2. Category Royal & Noble Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Queens appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, particularly in narratives concerning Israel, Judah, and foreign nations such as Egypt, Babylon, Persia, and Ethiopia. While Israel’s monarchy was patriarchal, the role of…
Prince / Princess

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Prince / Princess 2. Category Royal & Noble Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, princes and princesses appear within royal families of Israel, Judah, and surrounding nations. The term prince (Hebrew: sar, nagid) can denote a ruler, leader,…
Shepherds

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Shepherd

1. Name / Role Shepherds 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Shepherds appear from the earliest narratives in Genesis and continue throughout the Old and New Testaments. The role is both literal and metaphorical, with significant theological implications. Prominent biblical figures—such as Abel, Abraham, Moses, David,…
Beggars / Poor

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Beggars / Poor 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Beggars and the economically poor are found throughout the Bible—from the Law of Moses to the Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, and Epistles. Their presence is often highlighted in both social justice teachings and spiritual…
Tax Collectors

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Tax Collectors 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Tax collectors feature prominently in the New Testament, especially during the time of Jesus’ public ministry. Under Roman rule, taxes were collected through a system of subcontractors known as publicani, often involving local Jews…
Fishermen

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Fishermen 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Fishermen appear throughout the New Testament, especially in the Gospels. Many of Jesus’ early disciples, including Peter, James, and John, were fishermen by trade. Fishing was also a key economic activity in Galilee and served…
Slaves / Servants

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Slaves / Servants 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Slavery and servanthood appear throughout the Old and New Testaments, from patriarchal times through the Roman Empire. While the institution varied across cultures, both voluntary and involuntary servitude were part of ancient economic…
Merchants / Traders

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Merchants / Traders 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Merchants and traders are referenced throughout both the Old and New Testaments. They appear in historical, prophetic, and parabolic passages, particularly in urban centres, international dealings, and symbolic visions (e.g., Revelation). Trade was…
Farmers / Vinedressers

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Farmers / Vinedressers 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Farmers and vinedressers are present throughout the Bible, from Genesis to the Gospels. As ancient Israel was an agrarian society, agricultural workers played a foundational role in daily life and national identity. Many…
Builders / Craftsmen

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Builders / Craftsmen 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Builders and craftsmen are seen throughout the Bible, particularly in the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus), the Temple (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles), and in various prophetic and parabolic illustrations. They are also present…
Widows / Orphans

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Widows / Orphans 2. Category Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Widows and orphans are consistently mentioned throughout the Bible—from the Pentateuch through the Prophets, Psalms, and into the New Testament. Their presence in both legal codes and prophetic declarations highlights their…
Foreigners / Sojourners

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Foreigners / Sojourners (also referred to as strangers, aliens, or resident foreigners) 2. Category Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Foreigners and sojourners are present throughout the Bible, from the patriarchal period through to the New Testament. The concept is particularly prominent…
Roman Officials

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Roman Empire

1. Name / Role Roman Officials 2. Category Government and Political Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Roman officials are present primarily in the New Testament, during the period of Roman occupation of Judea and the broader eastern Mediterranean (1st century BC to 1st century AD). They appear in…
Centurions

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Centurions 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Centurions appear in the New Testament during the Roman occupation of Judea and surrounding regions. They are mentioned in the Gospels, Acts, and occasionally referenced in the Epistles. Their presence reflects the military structure and…
Herodians

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Herodians 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Herodians appear in the New Testament, primarily during the time of Jesus’ public ministry. They are mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels, particularly in connection with plots against Jesus and political-religious discussions involving taxation and Roman…
Judges (Old Testament)

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Judges (Old Testament) 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The judges governed Israel during the period between the death of Joshua and the rise of the monarchy, approximately from the late 14th to early 11th century BC. This era is chronicled primarily…
Elders

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Elders 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Elders are mentioned throughout the Bible, from the patriarchal period in the Old Testament through to the formation of the early Church in the New Testament. They appear in legal, social, and religious contexts as…
Sanhedrin

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Sanhedrin 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Sanhedrin is mentioned in the New Testament during the Second Temple period, particularly in the Gospels and Acts. While its formal origins trace back to post-exilic Jewish governance, its most prominent role was during…
Spies / Scouts

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Spies / Scouts 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Spies and scouts appear predominantly in the Old Testament during Israel’s wilderness journey, conquest of Canaan, and in certain strategic military accounts. Their roles are especially noted in the books of Numbers, Joshua,…
Watchmen

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Watchmen 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Watchmen appear throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the historical books, Psalms, and prophetic writings. While some served literal security roles on city walls, others were prophetic figures tasked with spiritual alertness and warning. 4.…
Soldiers / Warriors

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Soldiers / Warriors 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Soldiers and warriors are found throughout both the Old and New Testaments, from the tribal battles of early Israel to the standing armies of monarchic, imperial, and Roman periods. They play major roles…
Babylon

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Babylon, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Babylon 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Babylon appears throughout the Bible—from early references in Genesis to major prominence in the prophetic books and Revelation. Its historical significance peaks during the Babylonian Empire’s conquest of Judah and the subsequent exile in…
Assyria

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Assyria, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Assyria 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Assyria appears throughout the Old Testament, particularly from the 9th to the 7th centuries BC. It plays a major role in the prophetic books, historical narratives, and theological reflections on divine judgement and sovereignty.…
Persia

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Persian

1. Name / Role Persia 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Persia features prominently in the post-exilic period of the Old Testament, especially in books such as Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, and Isaiah. It succeeded Babylon as the dominant empire in the ancient Near East…
Philistines

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Philistine

1. Name / Role Philistines 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Philistines appear extensively in the Old Testament, particularly from the time of the Judges through the early monarchy of Israel (circa 12th–10th century BC). They were one of Israel’s primary antagonists during the…
Canaanites

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Canaan

1. Name / Role Canaanites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Canaanites appear throughout the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, and various prophetic books. They were the inhabitants of the land of Canaan prior to and during Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Their presence and…
Moabites / Ammonites

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Moabites / Ammonites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Moabites and Ammonites appear across the Old Testament—from the time of Abraham and Lot through the monarchy and prophetic periods. These two nations were frequent neighbours and adversaries of Israel and…
Edomites

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Edomites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Edomites appear throughout the Old Testament, from the patriarchal narratives to the prophetic books. They are regularly mentioned during Israel’s wilderness journey, the monarchy period, and in prophetic oracles of judgement. Their conflict…
Medes

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Medes 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Medes are mentioned in both historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament and briefly referenced in the New Testament. They appear prominently in the 7th and 6th centuries BC, especially in relation…
Chaldeans

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Chaldeans 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Chaldeans appear in the Old Testament, especially during the prophetic and exilic periods (7th–6th centuries BC). They are often used interchangeably with the Babylonians due to their rise to power under the Neo-Babylonian…
Syrians / Arameans

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Syria

1. Name / Role Syrians / Arameans 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Arameans (later referred to as Syrians) appear throughout the Old Testament, from the patriarchal era to the time of the kings. They are especially prominent during the period of the divided…
Cretans / Islanders

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Cretans / Islanders 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Cretans are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, though more explicitly in the New Testament. They are referenced at Pentecost (Acts 2) and in Paul’s Epistle to Titus, which addresses…
Egyptians

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Egypt

1. Name / Role Egyptians 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Egyptians appear throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham (Genesis) through the Exodus, the monarchy period, the prophets, and into the New Testament. Egypt was one of the most significant foreign nations in…
Greeks / Hellenists

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Greek

1. Name / Role Greeks / Hellenists 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Greeks and Hellenists appear primarily in the intertestamental period, the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. Though the Old Testament contains prophecies about the rise of Greek powers (notably in Daniel), their full…
Samaritans

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Samaria

1. Name / Role Samaritans 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Samaritans appear primarily in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, but their origins and significance are rooted in Old Testament history. Their distinct identity emerged after the Assyrian conquest of…
Jews / Israelites

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Israel, Jews

1. Name / Role Jews / Israelites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Jews (originally known as Israelites) are central throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Their story begins with Abraham in Genesis, continues through the patriarchs, the Exodus, the monarchy, the…
Proselytes / God-fearers

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Proselytes / God-fearers 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Proselytes and God-fearers are primarily found in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. Their emergence follows the Jewish diaspora and the spread of synagogue communities across the…
God (Yahweh)

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, God

1. Name / Role God (Yahweh) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Yahweh is present from the very beginning of the biblical narrative in Genesis and remains central throughout all 66 books of the Bible. He is the eternal, self-existent Creator, Redeemer, Judge, and Sustainer, revealed…
Jesus (Yahshua)

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Jesus (Jesus Christ / Yeshua / Messiah) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Jesus appears in the New Testament as the central figure of Christianity and is foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. His earthly life spans the early first century AD, but…
Holy Spirit

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, Holy Spirit

1. Name / Role Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh / Pneuma / Spirit of God) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Holy Spirit is present throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. He is active in creation, prophecy, regeneration, and empowerment. In the Old Testament,…
Angels

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Angel, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings

1. Name / Role Angels (Malakhim / Angeloi – “Messengers”) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Angels appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation. They are active in the Patriarchal narratives, the Exodus, the Prophets, the life of Jesus, and the…
Demons

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings

1. Name / Role Demons (Evil spirits / Unclean spirits / Fallen angels) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Demons appear throughout the Bible, particularly in the Gospels, Acts, and apocalyptic literature. Their activity is especially visible during Jesus’ earthly ministry, where exorcisms are a frequent…
Satan / Devil

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, Satan

1. Name / Role Satan / Devil (Hebrew: Satan – “Adversary”; Greek: Diabolos – “Slanderer”) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Satan appears across the biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation. He is first introduced as the tempter in the Garden of Eden and reappears as…
Seraphim / Cherubim

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Seraphim / Cherubim 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Seraphim and Cherubim appear in key Old and New Testament passages, particularly in the context of divine presence, temple worship, and heavenly visions. Cherubim are first mentioned in Genesis and are prominent in…
Antichrist / Beast

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Antichrist, Beast, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Antichrist / Beast 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Antichrist and the Beast appear predominantly in the New Testament, particularly in the Johannine Epistles (1 & 2 John), Paul’s letters (2 Thessalonians), and apocalyptic visions in Revelation. These figures are associated…
Beasts of Daniel / Revelation

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Beast, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Beasts of Daniel / Revelation 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context These symbolic beasts appear primarily in the prophetic and apocalyptic visions of Daniel (chapters 7–8) and Revelation (chapters 13, 17). They are central to end-time imagery and serve as representations of…
Ten Virgins

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Ten Virgins 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This parable is found in the New Testament, within Jesus’ Olivet Discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. It is recorded in Matthew 25:1–13 and forms part of Jesus’ eschatological teachings about the…
Prodigal Son / Elder Brother

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Prodigal Son / Elder Brother 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This parable is found in the New Testament, within the Gospel of Luke. It is part of a trio of parables in Luke 15 (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost…
Rich Man / Lazarus

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Rich Man / Lazarus 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This parable is found in the New Testament, in Luke 16:19–31, as part of Jesus’ teachings on wealth, justice, and the eternal consequences of one’s life choices. It immediately follows…
Good Samaritan

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Samaria

1. Name / Role Good Samaritan 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25–37. It is spoken by Jesus in response to a lawyer’s question, “Who is my neighbour?” within a discussion about inheriting eternal…
Wise Men (Magi)

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Wise Men (Magi) 2. Category Other 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Wise Men, or Magi, appear in the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 2:1–12, during the infancy narrative of Jesus. They arrive in Jerusalem shortly after Christ’s birth, guided by a star, seeking the…
Magicians / Sorcerers

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Magicians / Sorcerers 2. Category Mystics and Cultural Outsiders 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Magicians and sorcerers appear in both the Old and New Testaments. They are most prominent in Pharaoh’s court (Exodus), Babylon (Daniel), and in the early Church’s missionary encounters in Acts. They…
Nazarenes / Galileans

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Nazarenes / Galileans 2. Category Mystics and Cultural Outsiders 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Nazarenes and Galileans appear primarily in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels and Acts. These terms refer to individuals associated with Jesus’ regional identity—Nazareth being His hometown, and Galilee the…
Cretans / Islanders

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture

1. Name / Role Cretans / Islanders 2. Category Mystics and Cultural Outsiders 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Cretans are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, with particular focus in the Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistle to Titus. They were inhabitants of the island of Crete,…
Wise Men (Magi)

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Christmas, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Wise Men (Magi) 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Wise Men appear in the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 2:1–12, shortly after Jesus’ birth. They are central to the infancy narrative, arriving in Bethlehem to worship the Christ…
Roman Centurion of Great Faith

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Roman Centurion of Great Faith 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This centurion appears in Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10, during the early part of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee. He is a Gentile military officer serving under Roman…
Ethiopian Eunuch

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Ethiopian Eunuch 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Ethiopian Eunuch appears in Acts 8:26–40, during the early expansion of the Church following the persecution in Jerusalem. His story marks a major turning point in the spread of the…
Cornelius the Centurion

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Cornelius the Centurion 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Cornelius appears in Acts 10–11, during the early growth of the Church. His story marks the first recorded Gentile conversion initiated by divine revelation and affirmed by the outpouring of…
Lydia of Thyatira

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Lydia of Thyatira 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Lydia appears in Acts 16:11–15 and again in Acts 16:40, during Paul’s second missionary journey. Her conversion occurs in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia (northern Greece), making her the…
Samaritan Woman at the Well

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ, Samaria

1. Name / Role Samaritan Woman at the Well 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Samaritan woman appears in John 4:1–42, during Jesus’ early Galilean ministry. This encounter occurs at Jacob’s well in Sychar, in Samaria, a region generally avoided by devout…
Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Canaan, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This woman appears in two parallel Gospel accounts: Matthew 15:21–28 (where she is called a Canaanite) and Mark 7:24–30 (where she is identified as Syrophoenician by birth). Her interaction with…
Gerizim Demoniac (Legion)

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Gerizim Demoniac (Legion) 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This man appears in Mark 5:1–20, Luke 8:26–39, and Matthew 8:28–34, during Jesus’ ministry across the Sea of Galilee. He lives in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes), part…
Simon of Cyrene

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ, Sion of Cyrene

1. Name / Role Simon of Cyrene 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Simon of Cyrene appears during the Passion narrative in the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26—at the time of Jesus’ journey to the cross. His story takes place…
Greeks Seeking Jesus at the Festival

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Greek, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Greeks Seeking Jesus at the Festival 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This event is recorded in John 12:20–26, taking place shortly before Jesus’ crucifixion during the Passover festival in Jerusalem. It occurs after Jesus’ triumphal entry and signals…
Unnamed God-Fearers (in Acts)

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Acts, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Unnamed God-Fearers (in Acts) 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context These individuals appear throughout the Book of Acts, particularly in Acts 10–18, during the apostolic missions of Paul, Barnabas, and others. They are Gentiles who regularly attended synagogue worship…
Pilate’s Wife

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Pilate’s Wife 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Pilate’s wife appears only once in Scripture, in Matthew 27:19, during Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Her brief but significant intervention occurs as Pilate deliberates on…
The Thief on the Cross

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Calvary, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role The Thief on the Cross 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The thief appears during the crucifixion of Jesus, recorded in Luke 23:39–43. He is one of two criminals crucified beside Jesus, and his encounter with Christ takes place…
The Roman Centurion at the Cross

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ, Romans

1. Name / Role The Roman Centurion at the Cross 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This figure appears during the crucifixion of Jesus, specifically in Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, and Luke 23:47. He is the Roman officer overseeing the execution, positioned at…
The Greeks Converted in Antioch

*Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, *Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Antioch, Greek, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role The Greeks Converted in Antioch 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context These converts appear in Acts 11:19–26, following the persecution of believers after Stephen’s martyrdom. Their conversion marks a major development in the expansion of the gospel—from preaching to…