Mary, the wife of Clopas, is mentioned in the Gospel of John as one of the women standing near the cross during the crucifixion of Jesus. Some early Christian traditions suggest she may have been related to Jesus’ family, possibly Jesus’ mother’s sister, though Scripture itself does not confirm this. Her presence at the crucifixion … Read more
This Mary is listed among the women who followed Jesus and remained present during the crucifixion. She is identified as the mother of James and Joses (or Joseph). She was also among the women who went to Jesus’ tomb after His burial and witnessed the empty tomb following the Resurrection. Key references: Matthew 27:56, Mark … Read more
Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She is know for sitting at Jesus’ feet to listen to His teaching, a posture normally associated with discipleship. Shortly before Jesus’ crucifixion, she anointed His feet with expensive perfume in an act of devotion that … Read more
Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus from whom seven demons had been cast out. She traveled with Jesus and helped support His ministry. She remained near the cross during the crucifixion and is most widely known as the first person to see the risen Christ after the resurrection. Key references: Luke 8:2, John … Read more
Mary of Nazareth was the mother of Jesus and was chosen by God to bear the Messiah through the Immaculate Conception by the Holy Spirit. She appears in the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke and later during Jesus’ ministry. She was present at the crucifixion and is also mentioned among the early believers gathered … Read more
Several of the Twelve are known by more than one name in the Gospels. This chart shows the alternate names and nicknames given to and used by each. Disciple Alternate Name/Nickname Meaning/Note Scripture Reference Peter Simon; Cephas Jesus renamed Simon as Peter/Cephas, meaning “rock.” John 1:42; Matthew 16:18; Mark 3:16 Andrew — No alternate name … Read more
Only 7 of the 12 have an actual calling story recorded in the Bible. The others simply appear later in lists of the Twelve. Those lists are in:Matthew 10:2-4Mark 3:15-19Luke 6:13-16Acts 1:13 Disciple How Jesus Called Him Scripture Reference Andrew Disciple of John the Baptist who followed Jesus after John said “Behold, the Lamb of … Read more
The Gospels record 37 miracle accounts performed by Jesus, representing 21 distinct miracles, since many are recorded in more than one Gospel. Do you have them memorized? Healings – 23Exorcisms – 6Nature miracles – 8 It should also be noted that John 21:25 says, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which … Read more
Sometimes temptation shows up as the easy way out. After forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus was starving when the Tempter came to Him. The suggestion seemed innocuous. Turn the stones into bread, eat them so you won’t be hungry. Solve the problem. End the hunger. Take the shortcut. But Jesus responded with … Read more
Sometimes it all seems lost. There is no hope at all. Only darkness seems to lie ahead. Two criminals were crucified beside Jesus. One joined the crowd in mocking him. The other saw something different. He admitted his own guilt and recognized that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In the middle of that hopelessness, he … Read more