Understanding Biblical Names

A Reference Companion for Character Study

As you follow a life through Scripture, you will quickly discover that names can be less straightforward than they appear. Some figures are identified by multiple names, while others share their names with many. This companion guide offers clarity so that each passage you collect truly belongs to the person you are studying.

One Person, Multiple Names

At times, a single individual is referred to by more than one name. This may reflect language differences, cultural patterns, or a deliberate name change marking a turning point in life.

Primary Name	Alternate Name(s)	Reason/Context	Scriptural References
Gideon	Jerubbaal	Changed after tearing down Baal’s altar	Judges 6:32
Jacob	Israel	Renamed Israel after wrestling with an angel	Genesis 32:28; Genesis 35:10
John the Baptist	John the Baptizer	Known for baptizing	Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4
Mary Magdalene	Mary of Magdala	Known by place of origin	Luke 8:2; John 20:1
Paul	Saul	Changed name after conversion	Acts 13:9; Romans 1:1
Peter	Simon, Simon Peter, Cephas, Simeon	Variations of word "rock"	John 1:42; 1 Corinthians 1:12
Solomon	Jedidiah	Name given by Nathan the prophet	2 Sam 12:25

Name	Distinguishing Description	Key Reference(s)	Notes
James the Greater	One of the twelve apostles, brother of John, known for being part of Jesus' inner circle	Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 5:37, Acts 12:1-2	Often referred to as son of Zebedee; first apostle to be martyred
James the Less	Another of the twelve apostles, distinguished as smaller/younger/less to differentiate from James the Greater	Matthew 10:3, Mark 15:40, Mark 16:1	Sometimes identified as James son of Alphaeus
James, brother of Jesus	Leader of the Jerusalem church and considered author of the Epistle of James	Matthew 13:55, Acts 15:13-21, James 1:1	Also called James the Just; not one of the twelve apostles but important early Christian figure
James the son of Mary	Another James mentioned in the New Testament, linked to Mary who may be the mother of Jesus or another Mary	Mark 15:40, Mark 16:1, John 19:25	Likely the same as James the Less, though debated
James, father of Judas (not Iscariot)	Mentioned as the father of Judas who was one of the twelve apostles but not the betrayer	Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13	Known only in relation to his son Judas

Name	Distinguishing Description	Key References
Mary Magdalene	Devoted follower of Jesus, witnessed His resurrection, known as the "apostle to the apostles"	Matthew 27:56, Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2
Mary, Mother of Jesus	Mother of Jesus Christ	Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25, John 19:25-27
Mary of Bethany	Sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed Jesus' feet	Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44, John 12:1-8
Mary, Wife of Clopas	A figure mentioned as present at Jesus' crucifixion	John 19:25, Mark 15:40, Matthew 27:56
Mary, Mother of James and Joses	Mentioned as a follower of Jesus and mother to James and Joses	Mark 15:40, Matthew 27:56, Mark 16:1

Name	Distinguishing Description	Key Reference(s)	Notes
John the Baptist	Preacher who baptized Jesus and prepared the way for Him	Matthew 3:1-17, Mark 1:4-11	Simply called "John" in Matthew and in the Gospel of John
John the Apostle	One of the twelve apostles; son of Zebedee	John 1:1-18, 13:23, 19:26-27; Revelation 1:1-20	Church tradition credits this John with the writing of the Gospel of John and of Revelation; exiled on Patmos; the "one whom Jesus loved"
John Mark	Companion of Paul and Barnabas	Acts 12:12, Mark 14:51	Commonly called Mark; traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Mark
John, father of Simon Peter	Father of Peter	John 1:42, 21:15–17

Name	Distinguishing Description	Key References	Notes
Herod Philip (Philip, son of Herod the Great)	Husband of Herodias; likely father of Salome	Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19	Former husband of Herodias before she married Herod Antipas.
Philip the Tetrarch	Ruler of Iturea and Traconitis during the ministry of John the Baptist	Luke 3:1	Son of Herod the Great. Governed northeast of Galilee. Not a follower of Christ. Distinct from Herod Philip (husband of Herodias).
Philip the Evangelist/Deacon	One of the Seven chosen to serve in the early Jerusalem church	Acts 6:5; Acts 8:4–40; Acts 21:8–9	Preached in Samaria and to Ethiopian eunuch. Called “the evangelist” in Acts 21:8 to distinguish him from the apostle.
Philip the Apostle	One of the 12 disciples of Jesus	Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; John 1:43–48; John 6:5–7; John 12:21–22; John 14:8–9; Acts 1:13	From Bethsaida, same town as Andrew and Peter. Personally called by Jesus. Brought Nathanael to Christ. Present at the feeding of the 5,000 and at the Last Supper.

Name	Distinguishing Description	Key Reference(s)	Notes
Judas Iscariot	One of the twelve original apostles who betrayed Jesus	Matthew 26:14-16, John 13:26-30	Called by Jesus the "son of perdition"
Judas Thaddaeus	One of the twelve apostles, often called Jude	Matthew 10:3, Acts 1:13
Judas Barsabbas	Early Christian prophet and leader in the Jerusalem church	Acts 15:22, Acts 15:32	Sent as a representative to Antioch to support the Gentile believers
Judas of Galilee	Jewish leader who opposed Roman taxation around 6 CE	Acts 5:37

Name	Description	Key References	Notes
Simon Peter	One of the Twelve; fisherman called by Jesus; leader among apostles	Matthew 4:18; Matthew 16:16–18; John 21:15–19	Also called Cephas (John 1:42). Son of John (John 1:42).
Simon the Zealot	One of the Twelve	Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13	Called 'the Cananaean' in Matthew 10:4 and Mark 3:18 (meaning Zealot).
Simon Iscariot	Father of Judas Iscariot	John 6:71; John 13:2	Identified only as Judas’s father.
Simon the Leper	Hosted Jesus in Bethany when He was anointed	Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3	Likely healed previously, as he hosts a meal.
Simon of Cyrene	Forced to carry Jesus’ cross	Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26	Father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).
Simon the Pharisee	Pharisee who hosted Jesus when a sinful woman anointed Him	Luke 7:36–40	Distinct from Simon the Leper.
Simon Magus (Simon the Sorcerer)	Samaritan magician who tried to buy apostolic power	Acts 8:9–24	Rebuked by Peter; origin of the term 'simony'.
Simon, brother of Jesus	One of Jesus’ brothers	Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3	Little is known about him.
Simon the Tanner	Tanner in Joppa with whom Peter stayed	Acts 9:43; Acts 10:6	Hosted Peter before Cornelius’ vision.
Simeon called Niger	Prophet/teacher in the Antioch church	Acts 13:1	Greek form 'Simeon'; same Hebrew root as Simon.

Name	Description	Key References	Notes (Biblical vs. Tradition)
Joseph, son of Jacob	Eleventh son of Jacob; sold into Egypt; rose to authority under Pharaoh	Genesis 30:22–24; Genesis 37; Genesis 41–50	Also called Zaphenath-paneah (Genesis 41:45). Husband of Asenath
Joseph, husband of Mary	Earthly father of Jesus; descendant of David	Matthew 1:16–25; Luke 1:27; Luke 2:4	Called 'a righteous man' (Matthew 1:19). Luke 3:23 lists him as son of Heli; interpretation of genealogy debated (traditional view)
Joseph of Arimathea	Wealthy council member who buried Jesus	Matthew 27:57–60; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50–53; John 19:38	Described as a disciple and one waiting for the kingdom of God
Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus)	Proposed candidate to replace Judas Iscariot	Acts 1:23	Not chosen; Matthias selected instead.
Joseph (Joses), brother of Jesus	One of Jesus’ brothers	Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3	'Joses' is a Greek variant of Joseph
Joseph (Barnabas)	Levite from Cyprus; early church leader and companion of Paul	Acts 4:36–37; Acts 9–15	Acts 4:36 states birth name was Joseph; Barnabas is a nickname meaning 'son of encouragement.'

Name	Title / Role	Timeframe	Key Biblical References	Notes (Biblical vs. Historical)
Herod the Great	King of Judea under Rome	c. 37–4 BC	Matthew 2 (massacre of infants in Bethlehem)	Biblical narrative confirms his reign and the Bethlehem episode. Broader reign details from Josephus.
Herod Archelaus	Ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea	4 BC–AD 6	Matthew 2:22	Biblical reference confirms succession from Herod the Great. His removal by Rome is recorded by Josephus
Herod Antipas	Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea	4 BC–AD 39	Matthew 14:1–11; Mark 6:14–28 (execution of John the Baptist); Luke 3:1, 19–20; Luke 23:7–12 (questioned Jesus at trial)	Clearly identified in Gospel narratives. Married Herodias after she left her first husband, Philip (Herod Philip). Additional political details from Josephus.
Herod Philip (Philip, son of Herod the Great)	Private citizen; first husband of Herodias	Died before AD 34	Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19	Not a tetrarch; held no territory. Distinct from Philip the Tetrarch. Herodias left him to marry Herod Antipas. His name 'Philip' is attested by Josephus; the Gospels identify him only as the former husband of Herodias.
Philip the Tetrarch (son of Herod the Great)	Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis	4 BC–AD 34	Luke 3:1	Distinct from Herod Philip (above). Biblical mention is brief; territorial details from Josephus. Married Salome, daughter of Herodias, according to Josephus.
Herod Agrippa I	King over Judea	AD 37–44	Acts 12:1–23 (executed James; imprisoned Peter; struck dead by an angel)	Biblical narrative in Acts 12. Called 'Herod the king' in Acts. Broader reign and political career detailed in Josephus.
Herod Agrippa II	Client king under Rome	AD 50–c. 93	Acts 25:13–26:32 (heard Paul's defense alongside Bernice)	Clearly identified in Acts. Dates of reign from Josephus; Acts does not specify them. Bernice was his sister

Multiple People, One Name

Certain names appear repeatedly in Scripture. There are multiple people named Mary or Simon, for example. Distinguishing between individuals requires observing setting, relationships, and surrounding details.