Figures named in the text, with the fields the source records. All claims are labelled by type and confidence; "not stated" where the text is silent.
Profiles · 17 figures
Yeshua(Jesus)
See full bio inMatthew
In MarkThe central figure from the first line — "the good news of Yeshua the anointed one, son of God" (1:1). Immersed by Yochanan, with the wind/spirit descending and the voice "You are my son, the beloved" (1:9–11); driven into the wilderness, tested by the Satan (1:12–13). Proclaims "the kingdom of God has drawn near" (1:15), calls the first disciples (1:16–20), teaches and exorcises with authority (1:21–28), heals and withdraws to pray (1:35). Claims authority to forgive sins (2:1–12), eats with sinners (2:13–17), and declares the Son of Man "lord even of the sabbath" (2:28). Heals on the sabbath provoking the first death-plot (3:1–6), appoints the Twelve (3:13–19), answers the Beelzevul charge (3:22–30), and redefines family around the will of God (3:31–35). The canonical bio fields (birth, parents, profession, death by crucifixion) live in matthew/PEOPLE.md; this entry adds the Mark-specific narrative role.
Yochanan the Immerser(John the Baptist)
See full bio inMatthew
In MarkThe wilderness herald who opens the Gospel — the prophesied "messenger" preparing the way (1:2–3), immersing in the Yarden (Jordan) and proclaiming "an immersion of change of mind toward release of sins" (1:4–8). Clothed like Eliyahu (1:6), he announces a stronger one coming who will immerse "in holy wind/spirit." He immerses Yeshua (1:9); his being "handed over" marks the start of Yeshua's Galilean proclamation (1:14). His disciples' fasting prompts a controversy (2:18). The canonical bio fields (lineage, lifestyle, death under Antipas) live in matthew/PEOPLE.md; this entry adds the Mark-specific role.
Miryam(Mary)
See full bio inMatthew
In MarkAppears in Mark 1–3 only as "his mother," unnamed, in the family scene of 3:31–35 — she and Yeshua's brothers stand "outside" and send for him, and Yeshua redefines kinship around "whoever does the will of God." Mark names her "Miryam (Mary)" only later (6:3). The canonical bio fields live in matthew/PEOPLE.md; this entry adds the Mark-specific role.
Shimon Kefa(Simon Peter)
MeaningShimon (Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן, "he has heard"); Kefa (Aramaic כֵּיפָא, "rock"), Greek Petros
OriginGalilean fisherman of Kfar Nachum (Capernaum)
Familiar nameSimon Peter
ProfessionFisherman (1:16); later leader among the Twelve
HometownKfar Nachum (Capernaum); family origin Bethsaida (cf. John 1:44)
First mentionMark 1:16
Mentioned inMark 1:16–18, 29–31, 36; 3:16; and throughout the Gospel
Key events in Mark 1–3Called from his nets with his brother Andreas (1:16–18); his house in Kfar Nachum becomes Yeshua's base, and his fevered mother-in-law is healed (1:29–31); he leads those who seek out the praying Yeshua (1:36); named first among the Twelve and renamed Kefa/Peter (3:16).
Spouse(s)married (a mother-in-law is named, 1:30; cf. 1 Cor 9:5)
Archaeological evidenceA first-century house venerated as Peter's at Capernaum (beneath a later octagonal church) is a traditional identification, not proven.
Extra-biblical mentionsPaul's letters (1 Cor 1:12; 9:5; 15:5; Gal 1:18; 2:7–14); later tradition of martyrdom at Rome.
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; John; Acts; 1–2 Peter; 1 Corinthians; Galatians
Character arcIn Mark, the first called and first named of the Twelve; his home and family anchor the early Galilean ministry. His fuller arc (confession, denial, restoration) develops later in the Gospel.
NoteThe renaming "Kefa/Peter" ("rock") is recorded at 3:16 without the explanation Matthew gives (Matt 16:18). The TT keeps the Aramaic Kefa alongside the familiar "Peter."
Andreas(Andrew)
MeaningGreek Ἀνδρέας (Andreas), "manly" (from anēr, man) — a Greek name borne by a Jewish fisherman
OriginGalilean fisherman, brother of Shimon (Simon)
Familiar nameAndrew
ProfessionFisherman (1:16)
HometownKfar Nachum (Capernaum); family origin Bethsaida (cf. John 1:44)
First mentionMark 1:16
Mentioned inMark 1:16–18, 29; 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Called with his brother Shimon (Simon) from casting nets (1:16–18); present at the house in Kfar Nachum (1:29); named among the Twelve (3:18).
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; John; Acts
Character arcOne of the first four called; in Mark he appears only in the early Galilean scenes and the list of the Twelve.
Ya'aqov son of Zavdai(James)
MeaningYa'aqov (Hebrew יַעֲקֹב, the patriarch's name; Greek Ἰάκωβος), familiar "James"
OriginGalilean fisherman, son of Zavdai (Zebedee), brother of Yochanan (John)
Familiar nameJames
ProfessionFisherman (1:19–20)
First mentionMark 1:19
Mentioned inMark 1:19–20, 29; 3:17
Key events in Mark 1–3Called with his brother from the boat, mending nets, leaving their father Zavdai (Zebedee) with the hired men (1:19–20); present at Shimon (Simon)'s house (1:29); named among the Twelve and, with his brother, surnamed Boanerges, "sons of thunder" (3:17).
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; Acts
Character arcWith Shimon Kefa (Simon Peter) and his brother, part of the inner circle later in the Gospel; the first apostle martyred (Acts 12:2). Distinct from Ya'aqov son of Chalfai and from Ya'aqov the brother of Yeshua.
Yochanan son of Zavdai(John)
MeaningYochanan (Hebrew יוֹחָנָן, "YHWH is gracious"), familiar "John" — distinct from Yochanan the Immerser
OriginGalilean fisherman, son of Zavdai (Zebedee), brother of Ya'aqov (James)
Familiar nameJohn
ProfessionFisherman (1:19–20)
First mentionMark 1:19
Mentioned inMark 1:19–20, 29; 3:17
Key events in Mark 1–3Called with his brother from the boat (1:19–20); present at Shimon (Simon)'s house (1:29); named among the Twelve and surnamed Boanerges, "sons of thunder" (3:17).
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; John; Acts
Character arcPart of the inner circle (Peter, James, John) later in Mark. Not to be confused with Yochanan the Immerser; traditional (debated) association with the Fourth Gospel.
Zavdai(Zebedee)
MeaningHebrew זַבְדִּי (Zavdai), "YHWH has bestowed"; Greek Ζεβεδαῖος
OriginGalilean fisherman, father of Ya'aqov (James) and Yochanan (John)
Familiar nameZebedee
ProfessionFisherman, with hired men (1:20) — a family business of some substance
First mentionMark 1:19
Mentioned inMark 1:19–20
Key events in Mark 1–3Left in the boat with the hired men when his sons follow Yeshua (1:20).
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke
Character arcAppears only as the father left behind; his presence signals the economic cost of the sons' departure.
Levi
MeaningHebrew לֵוִי (Levi), the tribal name; here a personal name
OriginToll/tax collector at Kfar Nachum (Capernaum), son of Chalfai (Alphaeus)
Familiar nameLevi
ProfessionTax/toll collector (telōnēs) (2:14)
First mentionMark 2:14
Mentioned inMark 2:14–15
Key events in Mark 1–3Called from the tax booth with "Follow me," and rises to follow (2:14); the meal at his (or Yeshua's) house with tax collectors and sinners follows (2:15–17).
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Luke (Levi); Matthew (where the called tax collector is named Matthew, 9:9)
Character arcThe called outsider — a participant in the imperial-Herodian toll system summoned directly into discipleship.
NoteMark's "Levi the son of Chalfai (Alphaeus)" (2:14) is traditionally identified with the apostle "Mattai (Matthew)," whom Matthew 9:9 names as the called tax collector; the identification is traditional, not stated by Mark. A "Ya'aqov son of Chalfai" also appears among the Twelve (3:18) — whether a brother is unstated.
Philippos(Philip)
MeaningGreek Φίλιππος (Philippos), "lover of horses" — a Greek name
Familiar namePhilip
First mentionMark 3:18
Mentioned inMark 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Named among the Twelve (3:18); no narrative role in Mark 1–3.
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; John; Acts
NoteDistinct from Philip the evangelist (Acts 6, 8).
Bar-Talmai(Bartholomew)
MeaningAramaic בַּר־תַּלְמַי (bar-Talmai), "son of Talmai"
Familiar nameBartholomew
First mentionMark 3:18
Mentioned inMark 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Named among the Twelve (3:18); no narrative role in Mark 1–3.
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; Acts
NoteA patronymic ("son of Talmai"); often identified in later tradition with Nathanael (John 1:45), though Mark does not make the link.
Mattai(Matthew)
MeaningHebrew מַתִּתְיָהוּ / מַתַּי (Mattai, short for Mattityahu, "gift of YHWH"); Greek Μαθθαῖος
Familiar nameMatthew
First mentionMark 3:18
Mentioned inMark 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Named among the Twelve (3:18); no narrative role in Mark 1–3.
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; Acts
NoteTraditionally identified with the tax collector called in Matt 9:9 (= Mark's Levi, 2:14); the canonical biography is associated with the Gospel of Matthew.
Toma(Thomas)
MeaningAramaic תְּאוֹמָא (te'oma), "twin" (Greek Δίδυμος, Didymos, also "twin")
Familiar nameThomas
First mentionMark 3:18
Mentioned inMark 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Named among the Twelve (3:18); no narrative role in Mark 1–3.
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; John; Acts
NoteHis fuller character (the doubting/believing episodes) appears in John, not Mark.
Ya'aqov son of Chalfai(James (son of Alphaeus))
MeaningYa'aqov (Hebrew יַעֲקֹב), familiar "James"; son of Chalfai (Alphaeus)
Familiar nameJames (son of Alphaeus)
First mentionMark 3:18
Mentioned inMark 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Named among the Twelve (3:18); no narrative role in Mark 1–3.
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; Acts
NoteDistinct from Ya'aqov son of Zavdai (James son of Zebedee) and from Ya'aqov the brother of Yeshua. Shares the patronymic "Chalfai (Alphaeus)" with Levi (2:14) — a possible but unstated link.
Taddai(Thaddaeus)
MeaningGreek Θαδδαῖος (Thaddaios); etymology uncertain
Familiar nameThaddaeus
First mentionMark 3:18
Mentioned inMark 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Named among the Twelve (3:18); no narrative role in Mark 1–3.
Historicity statusPOSSIBLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew
NoteSome manuscripts read "Lebbaeus"; Luke/Acts instead list "Judas son of James" in this position — a long-noted variation in the apostle lists.
Shimon the Kena'ani(Simon the Cananaean)
MeaningShimon (Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן); "Kena'ani" from Aramaic qan'ana, "zealous" (= Zealot, so Luke 6:15), NOT "from Cana"
Familiar nameSimon the Cananaean
First mentionMark 3:18
Mentioned inMark 3:18
Key events in Mark 1–3Named among the Twelve (3:18); no narrative role in Mark 1–3.
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; Acts
NoteThe epithet marks zeal (Luke renders it zēlōtēs, "the Zealot"); "Cananaean" can mislead readers into a place-name.
Yehudah Ish-Keriot(Judas Iscariot)
MeaningYehudah (Hebrew יְהוּדָה, "praise"); "Ish-Keriot" likely ish Keriot, "man of Keriot" (a Judean town)
Familiar nameJudas Iscariot
First mentionMark 3:19
Mentioned inMark 3:19
Key events in Mark 1–3Named last among the Twelve, "who also handed him over" (3:19).
Historicity statusPROBABLE
Books appearing inMark; Matthew; Luke; John; Acts
Character arcIntroduced already with the note of betrayal; his act ("handed over," the same verb used of Yochanan and of Yeshua's arrest) is foreshadowed at first mention.
Editorial provenance
Note"Iscariot" most likely identifies origin (Keriot in Judah), making him possibly the only non-Galilean among the Twelve; other derivations (from sicarius, "dagger-man") are proposed but less likely.