Bible Dictionary
ELDER IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
In the New Testament, an elder may mean an older person, a Jewish synagogue leader, or an appointed Christian overseer. In the churches, elders exercised spiritual oversight and were closely associated with bishops.
Biblical Usage
The word is used for seniority, for Jewish elders associated with scribes and Pharisees, and for appointed leaders of Christian churches. The churches generally had elders appointed over them. Their functions are presented as identical with those of bishops or overseers.