"I'm really getting into the Bible, but who is everyone? And, there's a bunch with Jesus all the time?!"
"You've gonna have fun with this one... come on, let's get to know the relatives!"
People From The Bible Days
GOD ALWAYS WORKS WITH A PERSON TO SEE HIS WILL ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN
Throughout the Bible, we see so many people whom God used, loved, worked with, and talked to. There was such a variety of people, and each one was very much human, just like us!
Now, let's have a look at some of the people you've probably heard of, or have yet to read about!
The Twelve & Apostle Paul
WE DO LIKE A BIO | JUST A PITY WE CAN'T GET A FAV FOOD! MAYBE FISH?!
Disclaimer: By no means exhaustive descriptions. Scripture doesn't tell us every detail about their appearance, personalities, or daily lives.
We did take some creative liberty with the profile pics!
Simon Peter
THE FISHERMAN WHO BECAME A LEADER
Also known as: Simon, Cephas, Peter
Occupation: Fisherman from Bethsaida, later living in Capernaum.
Family: Brother of Andrew; married (Mark 1:30).
Known for: Walking on water, declaring Jesus to be the Christ, denying Jesus three times, and preaching boldly on the Day of Pentecost.
Not his finest hour: Denying Jesus despite insisting he never would.
Did you know? Peter's name means rock or stone, and Jesus gave him this name.
One learning point: A failure doesn't have to be the end of your story. Peter went from denying Jesus to publicly proclaiming Him and seeing 3000 saved at one time.
First meet him: John 1:40–42
Key Scriptures: Matthew 14:28–31;
Matthew 16:13–19; Luke 22:54–62;
Acts 2:14–41.
Andrew
THE MAN WHO BROUGHT PEOPLE TO JESUS
Occupation: Fisherman.
Family: Brother of Simon Peter.
Known for: Introducing Peter to Jesus and bringing the boy with five loaves and two fish to Him.
Did you know? Andrew was initially a disciple of John the Baptist. He followed Jesus after hearing John identify Him as the Lamb of God.
One learning point: You don't have to be the person standing in front of the crowd to make an extraordinary difference.
First meet him: John 1:35–40
Key Scriptures: John 1:41–42; John 6:8–9; John 12:20–22; Mark 13:3–4.
James, Son of Zebedee
ONE OF THE SONS OF THUNDER
Occupation: Fisherman.
Family: Brother of John; son of Zebedee.
Known for: Being part of Jesus' inner circle alongside Peter and John.
Not his finest hour: Wanting to call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus.
Did you know? James is the only member of the Twelve whose death is explicitly recorded in the New Testament. Herod had him executed.
One learning point: Zeal is valuable, but it must be governed by the heart and purposes of God.
First meet him: Mark 1:19–20
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:17; Luke 9:51–56; Mark 9:2–8; Acts 12:1–2.
John, Son of Zebedee
FROM SON OF THUNDER TO A VOICE OF LOVE
Occupation: Fisherman.
Family: Brother of James.
Known for: His closeness to Jesus and his prominent role in the early Church.
Did you know? Jesus entrusted His mother's care to the disciple whom He loved while hanging on the cross. Church tradition identifies that disciple as John.
One learning point: Spending time with Jesus can transform the way we see and treat people.
First meet him: Mark 1:19–20
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:17; John 19:25–27; Acts 3:1–11; 1 John 4:7–12.
Philip
THE MAN WHO SAID COME AND SEE
Hometown: Bethsaida.
Known for: Inviting Nathanael to meet Jesus.
Not his finest hour: Asking Jesus to show them the Father, despite having spent so much time with Him.
Did you know? Before feeding the five thousand, Jesus specifically asked Philip where they could buy bread, testing him.
One learning point: We may not have every answer, but we can still invite others to discover Jesus.
First meet him: John 1:43–44
Key Scriptures: John 1:45–46; John 6:5–7; John 12:21–22; John 14:8–9.
Important: Philip the Apostle is distinct from Philip the evangelist in Acts 6 and 8.
Bartholomew
THE DISCIPLE WE KNOW SURPRISINGLY LITTLE ABOUT
Known for: Being one of the Twelve.
Did you know? Bartholomew is traditionally identified as Nathanael, the man Jesus described as an Israelite without deceit. However, the Bible doesn't explicitly establish that they were the same person. Many scholars believe they were.
One learning point: You can have a significant place in God's plan without having a highly public role.
First meet him: Matthew 10:3
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14;
Acts 1:13. For Nathanael, see John 1:45–51 and John 21:2.
Matthew
THE TAX COLLECTOR WHO LEFT HIS DESK
Also known as: Levi, traditionally understood to be the same person.
Occupation: Tax collector.
Known for: Leaving his tax booth to follow Jesus.
Did you know? Tax collectors were widely despised in Jewish society because of their association with Roman taxation and corruption. Jesus nevertheless called Matthew to follow Him.
One learning point: Your past doesn't disqualify you from responding to God's call.
First meet him: Matthew 9:9
Key Scriptures: Mark 2:13–17;
Luke 5:27–32; Matthew 10:3.
Thomas
MORE THAN DOUBTING THOMAS
Also known as: Didymus, meaning twin.
Known for: Wanting physical evidence of Jesus' resurrection.
Did you know? Thomas also showed remarkable courage. When Jesus decided to return to Judea despite the danger, Thomas said they should go with Him, even if it meant dying.
Not his finest hour: Refusing to believe the other disciples' testimony that Jesus had risen.
One learning point: Thomas' story doesn't end in doubt. It ends with his declaration, "My Lord and my God."
First meet him: Matthew 10:3
Key Scriptures: John 11:16; John 14:5–6;
John 20:24–29.
James, Son of Alpheaus
THE QUIETLY UNKNOWN DISCIPLE
Known for: Being one of Jesus' twelve apostles.
Did you know? There are several men named James in the New Testament. This James should not automatically be confused with James the brother of Jesus or James the son of Zebedee.
One learning point: Not every faithful life receives a detailed written account. God knows those who serve Him, even when history tells us very little about them.
First meet him: Matthew 10:3
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15;
Acts 1:13.
Thaddaeus
THE DISCIPLE WITH MORE THAN ONE NAME
Also identified as: Judas, son of James, in many traditional harmonisations of the apostolic lists.
Known for: Asking Jesus why He would reveal Himself to His disciples and not to the world.
Did you know? John makes a point of distinguishing this Judas from Judas Iscariot.
One learning point: Jesus' answer to his question places great emphasis on loving Him and keeping His Word.
First meet him: Matthew 10:3
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16;
John 14:22–24; Acts 1:13.
Simon the Zealot
A MAN WITH AN INTERESTING TITLE
Also known as: Simon the Cananaean.
Known for: Being one of the Twelve.
Did you know? His title may indicate religious zeal, or possibly an association with a zealous political movement. Scripture doesn't tell us enough to be certain.
One learning point: Jesus called people from very different backgrounds into the same mission.
First meet him: Matthew 10:4
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13.
Judas Iscariot
THE DISCIPLE WHO BETRAYED JESUS
Role: One of the Twelve; responsible for the group's moneybag.
Known for: Betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Did you know? Judas was sent out alongside the other apostles during Jesus' earthly ministry. He had a place among the Twelve, yet he was stole from the moneybag he looked after, and ultimately betrayed the One he followed.
Not his finest hour: His betrayal of Jesus, followed by remorse and his death.
One learning point: Proximity to spiritual things is not a substitute for personal faithfulness and integrity.
First meet him: Matthew 10:4
Key Scriptures: John 12:4–6; Matthew 26:14–16; Matthew 26:47–50; Matthew 27:3–5; Acts 1:16–20.
P.S. HE'S NOT PART OF THE FAITH FAMILY
Paul the Apostle
FROM PERSECUTOR TO PREACHER
Also known as: Saul of Tarsus.
Background: Jewish, from the tribe of Benjamin; a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel; also a Roman citizen.
Occupation: Tentmaker or leatherworker; later a missionary and apostle.
Known for: His encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, his missionary journeys, and his New Testament letters. He was one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians, often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity.
Before he met Jesus: Saul actively persecuted believers and approved of Stephen's execution.
Did you know? Paul was not one of the Twelve, but after Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to him.
One learning point: No one is beyond the transforming power of God. Paul's life also demonstrates perseverance, spiritual boldness, and obedience to God's calling.
First meet him: Acts 7:58 (as Saul, at Stephen's stoning).
His encounter with Jesus: Acts 9:1–19.
Key Scriptures: Acts 22:3–16; Acts 13:1–3; Acts 15:36–41; Philippians 3:4–14; 2 Timothy 4:6–8.
Living Rivers Resources Hub
Equipping born-again believers to live boldly by the truth of God’s Word.
Grow in faith. Walk in truth. Live the life God has called you to live.
© 2026 Living Rivers USA All rights reserved.