Ἀνδρέας (Andreas)
Andreas
Andrew
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Andreas, rendered Andrew in English, literally means "manly" or "masculine." It appears twelve times in the New Testament, primarily within the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, as well as in Acts. The sources identify him as a native of Bethsaida in Galilee and the brother of Simon Peter.
Andrew is consistently portrayed as a bridge figure who introduces others to Jesus. In John’s Gospel, he is the one who finds his brother Simon and tells him they have found the Messiah (John 1:41), and later brings a boy with loaves and fish to Jesus before the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:8). His presence in the lists of the twelve apostles underscores his role as a foundational witness to Christ’s ministry.
While the lexicon notes later traditions regarding his crucifixion at Patrae, the biblical text itself focuses on his immediate responsiveness to Jesus’ call. Matthew and Mark record him leaving his fishing nets to follow Christ (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16), highlighting a pattern of decisive action that characterizes his brief but significant appearances in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Andrew means "manly" or "masculine," but his story in the Gospels shows that true strength often looks like gentle invitation. He is not the loudest voice among the disciples, nor does he seek the spotlight. Instead, he consistently acts as a bridge, connecting people to Jesus. When he met Christ, his first instinct was not to keep the discovery to himself but to find his brother Simon and share the news.
This pattern of bringing others to faith is a quiet model for daily life. You do not need grand platforms or perfect arguments to introduce someone to God. Sometimes it is as simple as sharing a personal encounter, like Andrew bringing a boy with loaves and fish to Jesus before the feeding of the five thousand. His example invites us to look around at the people in our lives and consider who might be waiting for an introduction to grace.
Andrew’s legacy reminds us that faithfulness is often found in faithful connections. Whether you are introducing a neighbor to a church community or simply sharing hope with a friend, your willingness to point others toward Christ matters deeply. May you find courage in his quiet example and joy in the connections God places in your path.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Andrew9×
- Andrew,2×
- of Andrew1×
- Andrew;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀνδρέας4×
- Ἀνδρέαν4×
- Ἀνδρέου2×
- Ἀνδρέᾳ,1×
- Ἀνδρέας·1×
- Ἀνδρέας,1×
Key Verses
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John 1:40
One of the two who heard John and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
This verse identifies Andrew as one of the first two disciples to follow Jesus, establishing his role as an early witness who immediately seeks out his brother Simon.
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John 6:8
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him,
Here Andrew acts as a practical intermediary, bringing a boy with limited resources to Jesus, which highlights his tendency to facilitate meetings between people and Christ.
-
John 12:22
Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus.
When Greeks seek Jesus, Philip directs them to Andrew first, showing that Andrew was recognized by the inner circle as a key connector for those outside the immediate Jewish context.