The Cloud of Witnesses

Young woman of Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph. Said yes to Gabriel. Bore Jesus in Bethlehem. Stood at the foot of the cross. Pondered these things in her heart.

Wilderness prophet. Camel’s hair and locusts. Baptized Jesus in the Jordan. Said he must increase, and I must decrease. Beheaded by Herod for telling the truth about a wedding.

Itinerant Jewish teacher, healer, and prophet from Galilee. Central figure of the Christian gospels.

Galilean fisherman, leading apostle, and traditional first bishop of Rome. Impulsive, devoted, denied Jesus three times.

Disciple of Jesus, healed of seven demons, first witness to the resurrection. Frequently misidentified in later tradition.

One of the twelve. Betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Returned the money, hanged himself.

Roman prefect who presided over the trial of Jesus. Equestrian-class administrator with a documented record of provoking his Jewish subjects.

Pharisee turned apostle. Author of the majority of the New Testament epistles. Roman citizen, tentmaker by trade.

Author of the Apocalypse, exiled to the island of Patmos. Identification with John the apostle is traditional but contested.