12 Apostles (12 Disciples chosen by Jesus)

Some refer to Jesus’ 12 chosen followers as Apostles, while others call them Disciples. The key distinction is that “Disciple” is a broad term for anyone who follows or learns from Jesus, emphasizing the pursuit of His teachings. (Today, we can still be disciples of Jesus.) In contrast, “Apostle” is a specific title reserved for those whom Jesus selected to spread His message and lead the early Christian faith. (More details on this can be found at the bottom of this page).

Whenever the Bible mentions the Apostles in the four Gospels, they are also addressed in the same order….Peter, James & John (and at times Andrew). These were the main four, then the next four and then the last four). These men all had various backgrounds before Jesus chose them. Concerning the deaths of the 12 Apostles, it’s important to note that none of these events are documented in the Bible itself. The information I’ve gathered comes from various websites & books. Much of this information was written & passed down many years, even centuries, after the events happened. Below is a summary of the commonly believed accounts regarding the deaths of each of the 12 Apostles:

1. Peter: According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero around 64 AD. He is said to have requested this form of crucifixion because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. (I have also read that Peter’s wife was crucified with him as further punishment due to the hatred for Peter’s preaching & Peter kept telling her “remember the Cross…remember Jesus”).
2. James (the Greater): James, ( a very popular name), the brother of John, was the first apostle to be martyred. According to the New Testament (Acts 12:2), he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa around 44 AD in Jerusalem.
3. John: John, the brother of James, is believed to have lived to an old age and died of natural causes, likely around 100 AD in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey). He is often regarded as the only apostle to have died a natural death.
4. Andrew: Andrew, the brother of Peter, is said to have been crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras (modern Greece), around 60 AD. His martyrdom is described in various accounts, including one that suggests he was bound to the cross and preached to the crowds until he died.
5. Philip: Philip is believed to have been tortured & also crucified upside down in Hierapolis (modern-day Turkey) around 80 AD.
6. Bartholomew (Nathanael): Bartholomew is believed to have been martyred in various ways in different accounts. One tradition says he was skinned-alive and then beheaded, possibly in Armenia or India.
7. Matthew: Matthew, the tax collector, is thought to have been martyred in Ethiopia or Persia (modern-day Iran). Some sources suggest he was stabbed to death.
8. Thomas: Thomas, the apostle who is often remembered for doubting Jesus’ resurrection, is believed to have been speared to death in India, likely around 72 AD. He is said to have preached in the region of Kerala and is associated with the founding of Christian communities there.
9. James the Less: James, the son of Alphaeus, is thought to have been thrown from the top of the Temple in Jerusalem. The fall did not kill him so he was then beaten to death with a club.
10. Thaddeus (Lebbaeus, or Jude the son of James): Thaddeus is believed to have been martyred in Persia. Some sources suggest he was hit in the head with an axe or beaten to death with a club.
11. Simon the Zealot: He was with Thaddeus & is believed he was martyred by being sawn in half.
12. Judas Iscariot: Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, is not included in the usual list of martyrs. According to the New Testament, he hanged himself after betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3–5). According to Acts 1:18, he hung himself & the branch broke and fell to his death on the rocks below.

The terms apostle and disciple are both important in Christian tradition, but they refer to different roles and concepts. Here’s the key difference between them:

Disciple:

• Definition: A disciple is a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosophy. In the context of Christianity, it refers to someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.
• Role: Disciples are individuals who learn from and adhere to the teachings of Jesus. The term is generally used to refer to Jesus’ followers, including the Twelve Disciples (or Apostles), but can also refer to any believer or follower of Christ.
• Key Point: All apostles were disciples, but not all disciples are apostles.

Apostle:

• Definition: An apostle is a messenger or someone sent out with a specific mission. In Christian tradition, an apostle is someone who has been sent by Jesus Christ to spread his teachings and establish churches.
• Role: Apostles were chosen by Jesus, and their primary task was to spread the gospel and lead the early Christian church. The most well-known apostles are the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus, but other individuals like Paul (who was not one of the Twelve) are also considered apostles due to their missionary work. On his journey to Damascus, Saul encountered Jesus, an event that led to his conversion. He embraced Christianity, became a devoted follower of Jesus, and changed his name to Paul. (see Acts 9).
• Key Point: Apostles had a unique, authoritative role in spreading the message of Christianity. Their accounts are listed in the four Gospels and Acts.

Summary of Differences:

• Disciple: A general term for a follower or student of Jesus, focused on learning and following his teachings.
• Apostle: A specific title for those chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel and lead the Christian faith, often with the responsibility of establishing churches.

Disciples are followers, and Apostles are those who are sent out with a specific mission to teach and spread the faith.