Gospel Figures

Herodias, also Herodiade (c. 15 B.C. – after 39 A.D.), was a Jewish princess of the Herodian Dynasty and queen of Galilee. She was best known for her portrayal in the New Testament as the wife of Herod Antipas who conspired in the death of John the Baptist.

Joanna, also known as Joanna the Myrrh-Bearer, was one of the women who followed and accompanied Jesus during his ministry. She is mentioned in the Gospel of St. Luke (8:3 and 24:10).

Joseph of Arimathea was a biblical figure who played an important role in the burial of Jesus Christ. His account can be found in each of the four Gospels: Matthew 27:57–60; Mark 15:42–46; Luke 23:50–53; and John 19:38–42. He is called “Joseph of Arimathea” because “he came from the Judean town of Arimathea” (Luke 23:51).

Lazarus of Bethany was the brother of sisters Martha and Mary. His name is the Latinised from Lazar, deriving from the Hebrew Eleazar, (meaning "God helped").

Lucius Junius Gallio Annaenus or Gallio  (c. 5 BC – c. AD 65), was a Roman governor and brother of the famous writer Seneca. He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles for dismissing an accusation against Paul. 

One of the gospels and the Book of Acts are attributed to a writer by the name of Luke. While we don't know a great deal about him, bits from the New Testament, combined with tradition and some careful conjecture may provide us a partially accurate portrait of the man. Unlike the other gospel authors, he was almost certainly a Gentile, and it may also be that, having been converted to Christ, Luke joined Paul's missionary band as a personal physician to Paul. 

Mark the Evangelist, also known as John Mark or Saint Mark, is the person who is traditionally ascribed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark. It is supposed that he based his writings upon the preachings of the Apostle Peter, with whom he traveled.

Jesus stops in Bethany where his friends Martha and Mary and their brother, Lazarus, live. John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus “loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).

The third Mary who stood at the cross with Jesus' mother and Mary Magdalene is somewhat  obscure. She is only mentioned once in the Gospel of John and only as the wife of Cleopas. Much of what we know comes from church tradition or from inference.