Whatever Happened to the Twelve Apostles?
Read how each of the apostles spread out to minister and evangelize and how many of the apostles died for their faith.
Ken Curtis, Ph.D.
They were not the kind of group you might have expected Jesus to send forth on his mission to reach the world. There was nothing special or spectacular about them. The twelve apostles were just ordinary working men. But Jesus formed them into the back bone of the church and gave them the most extraordinary task imaginable: calling the entire world, including the mightiest empire ever known, to repentance and faith in the risen Christ. You can be sure that any educated, first-century Roman citizen would have laughed at any prediction that within three centuries the Christian faith would be the official faith of the empire.
The Twelve chosen by Jesus near the beginning of his ministry, those whom also He named Apostles, were
- Simon: called Peter (Grk. petros, petra; Aram. kēf; Engl. rock) by Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Simon bar Jonah and Simon bar Jochanan (Aram.) and earlier (Pauline Epistles were written first) Cephas (Aram.), and Simon Peter, a fisherman from Bethsaida “of Galilee” (John 1:44; cf. 12:21) Simon/Peter – Andrew’s brother (Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14)
- Andrew: brother of Peter, a Bethsaida fisherman and disciple of John the Baptist, and also the First-Called Apostle. (Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14)
- James – John’s brother, son of Zebedee, Boanerges, son of Thunder (Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:17; Luke 6:14)
- John son of Zebedee, called by Jesus Boanerges(an Aramaic name explained in Mk 3:17 as “Sons of Thunder”) – James’ brother (Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:17; Luke 6:14)
- Known as the only apostle who was not martyred, and also has his own Gospel in the New Testament.
- Philip: from Bethsaida “of Galilee” (John 1:44, 12:21) (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14)
- Thaddeus: “Judas, son of James”, (Matthew 10:3, Acts 1:13, Luke 6:16, John 14:22). Lebbaeus/Judas/Juda – , Simon’s brother (Matthew 10:3; 13:55; Mark 3:18; 6:3; Luke 6:16; Jude 1:1)
- Bartholomew: in Aramaic “bar-Talemai?”, “son of Talemai” or from Ptolemais, some identify with Nathanael. (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14)
- Thomas: also known as Judas Tomas Didymus – Aramaic T’oma = twin, and Greek Didymous = twin (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15)
- James: commonly identified with James the Less [4] – Matthew’s/Levi’s brother, son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3; 27:56; Mark 2:14; 3:16, 18; 6:3; 15:40, 47; Luke 5:27; 6:14-15; 24:18; Acts 1:13; 4:36).
- Matthew: the tax collector, some identify with Levi son of Alphaeus – Levi – James’ brother (James the less) (Matthew 10:3; 27:56; Mark 2:14; 3:16, 18; 6:3; 15:40, 47; Luke 5:27; 6:14-15; 24:18; Acts 1:13; 4:36) and author of the Book of Matthew
- Simon the Zealot: called in Luke and Acts “Simon the Canaanite or Zealot“, some identify with Simeon of Jerusalem[5] -, Thaddeus’ brother (Matthew 10:4; 13:55; Mark 3:18; 6:3; Luke 6:15)
- Judas Iscariot: the name Iscariot may refer to the Judaean towns of Kerioth or to the sicarii (Jewish nationalist insurrectionists), or to the tribe of Issachar; (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16)
- He was replaced as an apostle in Acts by Saint Matthias
It should also be noted that while the “Twelve Apostles” refer to the twelve who followed Jesus during his lifetime (and later Matthias in place of Judas Iscariot), Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) can be considered as another apostle. Notably, he begins many of his epistles with “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus”, or some variant. The original twelve were apostles sent out to the Jews, whereas Paul has the unique role of being the apostle to the gentiles after Christ’s resurrection and ascent.
The identity of the other apostle of the twelve, traditionally called St. Jude, varies between the Synoptic Gospels and also between ancient manuscripts of each gospel:
- Mark names him as Thaddaeus
- Some manuscripts of Matthew also identify him as Thaddeus
- Some manuscripts of Matthew name him as Lebbaeus
- Some manuscripts of Matthew name him as Judas the Zealot
- Luke names him as Judas, son of James or in the KJV: “Judas the brother of James” Luke 6:16
The Gospel of John, unlike the Synoptic Gospels, does not offer a formal list of apostles, but does refer to the Twelve in 6:67, 6:70, and 6:71. The following nine apostles are identified by name:
- Peter (Bowen)
- Andrew (identified as Peter’s brother)
- the sons of Zebedee (plural form implies at least two apostles)
- Philip
- Thomas (also called Didymus (11:16, 20:24, 21:2))
- Judas Iscariot
- Judas (not Iscariot) (14:22)
The individual that the Gospel of John names as Nathanael is traditionally identified as the same person that the Synoptic Gospels call Bartholomew, and most would agree that the sons of Zebedee is likely to be a reference to James and John, while Judas (not Iscariot) probably refers to Thaddaeus, also known as St. Jude. Noticeably missing from the Gospel of John are James, son of Alphaeus, Matthew, and Simon the Canaanite/Zealot.
Many wonder how the 12 apostles died.
The New Testament tells of the fate of only two of the apostles: Judas, who betrayed Jesus and then went out and hanged himself, and James the son of Zebedee, who was executed by Herod about 44 AD (Acts 12:2). Read how each of the apostles spread out to minister and evangelize and how many of the apostles died for their faith.
How Did the Apostles Die?
Reports and legends abound and they are not always reliable, but it is safe to say that the apostles went far and wide as heralds of the message of the risen Christ. An early legend says they cast lots and divided up the world to determine who would go where, so all could hear about Jesus. They suffered greatly for their faith and in most cases met violent deaths on account of their bold witness.
Peter and Paul
Both martyred in Rome about 66 AD, during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified, upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
Andrew
went to the “land of the man-eaters,” in what is now the Soviet Union. Christians there claim him as the first to bring the gospel to their land. He also preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece, where he is said to have been crucified.
Thomas
was probably most active in the area east of Syria. Tradition has him preaching as far east as India, where the ancient Marthoma Christians revere him as their founder. They claim that he died there when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers.
Philip
possibly had a powerful ministry in Carthage in North Africa and then in Asia Minor, where he converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. In retaliation the proconsul had Philip arrested and cruelly put to death.
Matthew
the tax collector and writer of a Gospel ministered in Persia and Ethiopia. Some of the oldest reports say he was not martyred, while others say he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia.
Bartholomew
had widespread missionary travels attributed to him by tradition: to India with Thomas, back to Armenia, and also to Ethiopia and Southern Arabia. There are various accounts of how he met his death as a martyr for the gospel.
James
the son of Alpheus is one of at least three James referred to in the New Testament. There is some confusion as to which is which, but this James is reckoned to have ministered in Syria. The Jewish historian Josephus reported that he was stoned and then clubbed to death.
Simon the Zealot
so the story goes, ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.
Matthais
The apostle chosen to replace Judas. Tradition sends him to Syria with Andrew and to death by burning.
John
The only one of the apostles generally thought to have died a natural death from old age. He was the leader of the church in the Ephesus area and is said to have taken care of Mary the mother of Jesus in his home. During Domitian’s persecution in the middle ’90s, he was exiled to the island of Patmos. There he is credited with writing the last book of the New Testament–the Revelation. An early Latin tradition has him escaping unhurt after being cast into boiling oil at Rome.
Influence of the Apostles Today
The names of Jesus’ apostles have become the most common names for males in the Western world.
How many do you know named John, Pete, Tom, Andy, Jim, Bart, or Phil?
At least four of the apostles were fishermen. Can this be part of the reason that one of the earliest and most prominent Christian symbols was the fish? The Greek word for fish, ichthus, formed an acrostic: Iesous Christos Theou Uios Soter, which means “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”
After the death of the apostles, we do not find great missionary figures of the stature of Paul. Yet the faith continued to spread like wildfire — even though Christianity was declared an illegal religion.
Noted Biblical Scholar Don Lemon Says God Not About Judging People (VIDEO) (thegatewaypundit.com)
🧐 The church isn’t kept from the 70th week because she can’t see persecution. “In this world you shall have trial & tribulation.” She is kept from it because she isn’t Israel. God is returning to Israel to pick up where He left off at the end of the 69th week — giving them the gospel. Pretrib, mid trib and PostTrib are all correct. There’s an escape for the Bride, which is Luke’s group. Mid Trib for the “sleeping church” (left behind) which is Mark’s group. And PostTrib, for Jews, Matthew’s group.
Anyone remember the 4 blood moons 2014/2015 that landed on Hebrew days, Passover & Sukkot, Passover & Sukkot? What about the Revelation 12 sign in the sky September 23rd, 2017. On December 21, 2020, a rare event occurred in the night sky… And it has not been seen in over eight centuries. On this date, Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in our solar system conjunct to form what was referred to as The Star of Bethlehem – 2020.
Or Passover April 4th, 2021, as it did in 33AD. All of it ties into this year, Before taken to the cross in Luke, it says they dressed Christ in a “gorgeous robe.” The same story in Mark, it says a “Purple robe.” Same story in Matthew says, a “scarlet robe.” There’s a reason why 3 different robes are mentioned. And many other differences that connect.
In Luke, Christ’s last words were, “into thy hand I commend my spirit” which the word “commend” means place besides.
In Matthew & Mark He says, “why hast thou forsaken me.” Forsaken” means left behind. Luke’s name is Lukan which means light. Christ is talking to 3 separate groups. God does nothing without revealing it to His people first. We are children of the light, not of the dark. Everything is in scripture. When Christ said no one knows the day or hour, He was not talking to us. We know. The only two colors mentioned in Revelations are purple and scarlet. Purple represents Mark’s group. Scarlet represents Matthew’s group.
This is how I see it from God’s Word.
The church is the Body of Christ. God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus at the cross & He said it is finished. If the church goes through the trib, then God is pouring out His wrath on the Body of Christ again, making the shed blood unfinished. I never said God pours out his wrath on the church. God poured out his wrath on the Egyptians and the Hebrews were right there, unharmed and not raptured.
Spot on Joshua. Why would Jesus say “But He who endures till the end shall be saved?” (Matt 24:13) The whole 24th chapter is speaking on how the End will happen. Jesus goes into detail about the Trials & Tribulation period and His coming back for the Church. Why is He saying “Endure” ?
The whole 24th chapter is directed to the Jews. Jacobs week of trouble (Tribulation) is directed at “thy people (Jews)” and “upon thy holy city (Jerusalem).” This has nothing to do with the church, who will be Raptured into heaven before the Tribulation begins. No separation between Israel and church. Gentiles are grafted in w Israel. Times of the Gentiles caused the gospel to spread. That age is ending. We must endure in this age to not be deceived by the satanic rulership of the 4th beast (Rome).
The whole 24th chapter was about what would happen to THEM of that time period. The tribulation under Nero would be occurring & it took place. Yes, it is very possible for God to be so kind that we live & die w/o going through what the hand picked apostles went through in the 1st century. Yes. The believers in the Church are truly blessed. I am so very thankful we will escape it. I know what you’re saying. We sadly know there are Christians being persecuted today, yet most likely it won’t happen to us – but it’s clear the tribulations of the 1st century prophesied in Matt 24 happened & the apostles are definitely enjoying the richness of salvation.
Why is he saying endure?
My friends we’re going to (endure) go through some things in this life. He never promised you a rose garden, but even if he had remembered roses have thorns and you’re going to get stuck once in a while. Matthew 24 is written to the Jewish people, not the church. You have to rightly divide who Jesus is talking to ! Read chp 23. It is clear Jesus is speaking to the Jewish people.
We are enduring now! Just living is often enduring for so many. Look at the language in Matt 24 and it’s all directed at the Jews. I would suggest you google “Andy Woods Matthew 24” for a complete breakdown of everything in that chapter. But if you read it for yourself I think you’ll see how many references are jewish in nature.
“The prettiest smile hides the deepest secret. The prettiest eyes have cried the most tears. And the kindest hearts have felt the most pain”