Bible Dictionary
Galilean
A Galilean was an inhabitant or native of Galilee. Jesus’ disciples were commonly identified as Galileans, and their regional accent could distinguish them from other Jews.
Definition
A Galilean was an inhabitant or native of Galilee. The term could identify a person by birthplace or residence and was sometimes used contemptuously by those who looked down on Galilee.
Biblical Usage
Jesus’ disciples were identified as Galileans, and Peter’s speech exposed him as one. The term was also applied as a name of reproach to the disciples and to early Christians.
Historical Background
Galileans were distinguished from Judeans by a broader, more guttural pronunciation. The sources state that all the apostles except Judas Iscariot were Galileans.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An inhabitant or native of Galilee. This word was used as a name of contempt as applied to our Lord’s disciples (Luke 22:59; Acts 2:7). All the apostles, with the exception of Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:11), were Galileans. Peter was detected by his Galilean accent (Matt. 26:69; Mark 14:70). This was also one of the names of reproach given to the early Christians. Julian the Apostate, as he is called, not only used the epithet himself when referring to Christ and his apostles, but he made it a law that no one should ever call the Christians by any other name.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>gal-i-le'-an.</p><p>See GALILEE.</p>