The Twelve Apostles: Their Lives, Missions, and Martyrdom

The term "apostle" originates from Greek and means "sent one" or "representative," also extending to mean "leader" of a maritime expedition. It was used to refer to envoys sent from Jerusalem to maintain connections with Jewish communities in the Diaspora. In Christian terminology, apostles are the twelve followers of Christ, whom He sent to proclaim His message.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, Milan, Italy
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, Milan, Italy

The concept of a disciple was unknown in the Old Testament but emerged in later Judaism, where the follower was called "talmid" and the teacher was "rabbi." Jesus introduced a new dynamic to this relationship: unlike traditional disciples who chose their master, the apostles were chosen by Jesus Himself.
In the New Testament, the apostles are the twelve disciples (symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel) sent to deliver the Good News to "the lost sheep of Israel." They were all faithful followers of Jesus, from the baptism by John to the resurrection, and were given authority by Jesus to confront unclean spirits, even enduring harsh conditions and persecution in His name.
Though apostles were initially described as itinerant missionaries, this role didn't set them apart from the 70 or 72 other disciples who were also sent to preach. The Gospels present slight differences in their lists of the twelve apostles. According to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, the twelve apostles are:

  • Simon, called Peter (or Cephas in Aramaic): Born in Bethsaida and residing in Capernaum, he was a fisherman. Jesus described his role with the image of a rock.
  • James the Greater and John, his brother: Called "sons of thunder" by Jesus.
  • Andrew: Peter's brother and a fisherman, the first disciple of Jesus along with John.
  • Philip: From Bethsaida, close to Capernaum, also a fisherman.
  • Bartholomew: Likely originally known as Nathanael, lived in Cana in Galilee.
  • Thomas: Famously doubted Jesus' resurrection until he saw and touched His wounds.
  • Matthew (the tax collector): Also known as Levi, a publican from Capernaum.
  • James, son of Alphaeus: Called James the Lesser, cousin of Jesus.
  • Thaddeus, also known as Jude, son of James: The least known of the apostles.
  • Simone il Cananeo, soprannominato Zelota, abitava a Cana. È stato uno strenuo difensore della legge ebraica, che praticava con assiduità prima di essere chiamato alla sua missione apostolica.Simon the Zealot: Known for his passionate adherence to Jewish law before his mission.
  • Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus: After betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, he is said to have died by suicide.

After Judas Iscariot's death, he was replaced by Matthias, completing the group of twelve again. From Jerusalem, they supervised the mission, either directly (through apostles like Peter and John) or indirectly (through their disciples like Barnabas).
Prominent among the apostles were Peter, John, and James (the brother of the Lord), considered the "pillars" of the Jerusalem church. The Apostle Paul was later recognized as having the right to preach to the Gentiles, although his apostleship wasn't limited to the original twelve.
The apostles played a significant role in spreading Christianity throughout the world. Their stories are detailed in the canonical book, Acts of the Apostles, as well as in various letters attributed to them in the New Testament.

The Apostles' Later Lives and Martyrdom

The twelve apostles continued to spread the message of Jesus after Pentecost. Here’s a summary of what tradition and history tell us about their missions and deaths:

  • James the Greater: Preached in Jerusalem and Judea, beheaded in 44 AD by Herod Agrippa I, making him the first apostle to be martyred.
  • Andrew: Evangelized in Greece, Asia Minor, and Scythia, martyred in Patras on an X-shaped cross.
  • Peter: The first Pope, crucified upside down in Rome under Nero's reign around 64 AD.
  • John: The only apostle who wasn't martyred, lived in Ephesus and died a natural death.
  • Philip: Preached in Turkey, died a martyr's death by crucifixion and stoning in Hierapolis.
  • Bartholomew: Evangelized in India, Armenia, and Persia, martyred by being flayed alive and beheaded in Armenia.
  • Thomas: Preached in Parthia, Persia, and India, martyred by a lance in Mylapore, India.
  • Matthew: Preached in Palestine, Ethiopia, and Persia, martyred in Ethiopia.
  • James the Lesser: First bishop of Jerusalem, martyred by being thrown from a temple and then beaten to death.
  • Jude Thaddeus: Evangelized in the Middle East, martyred in Syria by stoning and being struck with a spear.
  • Simon the Zealot: Preached in Samaria and possibly reached as far as Britain, martyred by crucifixion.
  • Judas Iscariot: His death details vary in the New Testament, commonly portrayed as suicide

Legacy and Veneration

The tombs of the apostles, particularly those of Peter in Rome and James in Santiago de Compostela, became significant pilgrimage sites. Over the centuries, the apostles have been commemorated with specific feast days, each tied to the month in which they are traditionally honored.
Their stories were further enriched by apocryphal texts and legends, which played a significant role in early Christian iconography and literature. One notable legend describes how the apostles gathered at the Virgin Mary's deathbed, witnessing her assumption into heaven..



Last update: October 9, 2024

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