Browse the glossary using this index
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL
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ApocalypticName give to Jewish groups at the time of Christ who believed that God would intervene in a miraculous way to destroy their enemies and initiate His kingdom | |
B |
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BoanergesAramaic expression meaning "sons of thunder," used by Christ with James and John. | |
C |
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CapernaumCity on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus often preached here and performed miracles early in His ministry. | |
ChristosGreek word (transliteration) for Messiah, literally "The Annointed One." | |
E |
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EcclesiaGreek term for assembly, people of God, church. | |
ElijahOld Testament prophet who appeared along with Moses at the transfiguration of Jesus. | |
EschatologyTheological term for the study of the "last things." | |
EuangelionGreek word (transliteration) for "gospel." Literally means "good news." | |
EusebiusEarly Christian historian (263-340). Wrote Ecclesiastical History, in which he quotes Origen's comments about the four gospels, as well as comments from other writers. | |
G |
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GabrielAngel who appeared to announce in Daniel 9 that the exile would last hundreds of years. In Luke, he announces the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus. | |
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IrenaeusEarly Christian writer (130-202). Wrote Against Heresies, in which he says affirms the validity of the four gospels, and also makes the following comment on the Gospel of Matthew: "Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church." | |
J |
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JosephThe legal father of Jesus (not physical), husband of Mary, descendant of David. | |
JosephusJewish historian from the 1st century A.D. Mentions Jesus Christ in his writings. | |
K |
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KahalHebrew term for assembly, people of God | |
Kingdom of HeavenPhrase used only by Matthew to refer to the new spiritual realm established by Jesus. Matthew uses this phrase without the name "God" to follow the Jewish custom of avoiding using His name. | |
KratisteGreek expression (transliteration) meaning "most excellent," a person of highest honor, sometimes used for Roman governors. Luke uses the expression when he refers to Theophilus. | |
KuriosGreek word (transliteration) for "Lord." | |
L |
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LeviMatthew's other name | |
M |
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MosesOld Testament liberator who appeard with Elijah at the transfiguration of Jesus. | |
Muratorian FragmentEarliest known document listing the canonical New Testament books, AD 170-180. | |
N |
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NeroRoman emperor from 54-68 AD. Persecuted the Christians. | |
NomistsName given to Jewish groups who believe that God would not intervene to establish His kingdom until Israel became obedient in keeping the Law | |
O |
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OrigenEarly Christian writer (185-232 AD), who argued that only the four gospels we now have were authentic. Eusebius quotes him as saying, "The four Gospels...are the only indisputable ones in the Church of God under heaven."
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P |
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PapiasEarly Christian writer (from early 2nd century). Eusebius quotes him in Ecclesiastical History as making comments about the gospels of Matthew and Mark. | |
PeterApostle who was assisted by Mark in Rome. According to church historians, Mark relied on his accounts of the life of Christ to write his gospel. He called Mark his "son." | |
PilateRoman prefect who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus | |
PlutarchSecular Greek historian, A.D. 46-120. Wrote a biography of the Life of Cicero, which is an example of how even secular biographies at that time tried to preserve accurate records. | |
R |
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RufusMentioned in the Gospel of Mark as one of the sons of the man who carried the cross of Christ. Probably the same person mentioned by Paul in Romans as a member of the church in Rome. | |
S |
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SadduceesJewish sect at the time of Christ who did not believe in the resurrection. | |
SalvationDeliverance from the tyranny of evil and from God's judgment against sin | |
Son of DavidName that Matthew uses frequently (more than all the other gospels combined) for Jesus | |
SynopticMeans "seen together." The term is used for the first three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, because of their similarities. | |
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TheophilusPerson to whom Luke addressed his gospel and Acts. | |
Y |
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YahwehHebrew name for God, which comes from the phrase, "I am that I am." | |
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ZealotsJewish sect at the time of Christ who believed that God would usher in the kingdom through their rebellion against the authorities | |