Printer-friendly version

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

Page:  1  2  3  4  5  (Next)
  ALL

A

Antiochus

Greek ruler who massacred many in Jerusalem, desecrated the temple, and ordered worship of Zeus. Often called "Epiphenes" because he thought he was a manifestation of God.

Apocalyptic

Name 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

Barnabas

Cousin of Mark (the author of the second gospel). Accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, along with Mark, who left them before they finished their trip. Since Paul did not want to take Mark with him on his second missionary journey, this man took Mark with him on a separate journey.

Boanerges

Aramaic expression meaning "sons of thunder," used by Christ with James and John.

C

Capernaum

City on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus often preached here and performed miracles early in His ministry.

Christos

Greek word (transliteration) for Messiah, literally "The Annointed One."

E

Ecclesia

Greek term for assembly, people of God, church.

Elijah

Old Testament prophet who appeared along with Moses at the transfiguration of Jesus.

Ephesus

City where John probably wrote the fourth gospel

Eschatology

Theological term for the study of the "last things."

Euangelion

Greek word (transliteration) for "gospel." Literally means "good news."

Eusebius

Early 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

Gabriel

Angel 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. 

H

Hanukka

Feast of Dedication to celebrate the victory of the Maccabees in 186 BC.

I

Irenaeus

Early 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

Joseph

The legal father of Jesus (not physical), husband of Mary, descendant of David.

Josephus

Jewish historian from the 1st century A.D. Mentions Jesus Christ in his writings.

K

Kahal

Hebrew term for assembly, people of God

Kingdom of Heaven

Phrase 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.

Kratiste

Greek expression (transliteration) meaning "most excellent," a person of highest honor, sometimes used for Roman governors. Luke uses the expression when he refers to Theophilus.

Kurios

Greek word (transliteration) for "Lord."

L

Levi

Matthew's other name

M

Macabbees

Priestly family that started a revolt in 165 BC against the Greeks who were dominating them

Manna

Name for bread provided by God for Israel in the desert

Mashiach

Hebrew word (transliteration) for "Messiah," annointed one

Moses

Old Testament liberator who appeard with Elijah at the transfiguration of Jesus.

Muratorian Fragment

Earliest known document listing the canonical New Testament books, AD 170-180.

N

Nero

Roman emperor from 54-68 AD. Persecuted the Christians.

Nicodemus

Man who asked Jesus how a man could be born again in the story narrated in John 3

Nomists

Name given to Jewish groups who believe that God would not intervene to establish His kingdom until Israel became obedient in keeping the Law

O

Origen

Early 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."

P

Papias

Early Christian writer (from early 2nd century). Eusebius quotes him in Ecclesiastical History as making comments about the gospels of Matthew and Mark.

Passover

Jewish festivity to remember the deliverance from Egypt. John organized the chronology of the life of Jesus around these celebrations.

Peter

Apostle 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."

Pilate

Roman prefect who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus

Plutarch

Secular 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.

Q

Qumran

Name of the cave where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found

R

Rabbi

Jewish name for "teacher"

Rufus

Mentioned 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.

Rylands

Name given to the oldest manuscript of the Gospel of John (parts of it). Also called Papyrus 52 and dates from around 100-150 AD.

S

Sadducees

Jewish sect at the time of Christ who did not believe in the resurrection.

Salome

Mother of John, author of the fourth gospel. Possibly the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Salvation

Deliverance from the tyranny of evil and from God's judgment against sin

Son of David

Name that Matthew uses frequently (more than all the other gospels combined) for Jesus

Synoptic

Means "seen together." The term is used for the first three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, because of their similarities.

T

Temple

Building were God promised to be present with His people in a special way. Used decorations modeled after Garden of Eden.

Theophilus

Person to whom Luke addressed his gospel and Acts.

Thomas

Disciple who is know for doubting that Jesus was really resurrected

Y

Yahweh

Hebrew name for God, which comes from the phrase, "I am that I am."

Z

Zealots

Jewish sect at the time of Christ who believed that God would usher in the kingdom through their rebellion against the authorities

Page:  1  2  3  4  5  (Next)
  ALL