Biography of the 12 apostles of christ

Who were Jesus’ 12 apostles? Can boss around name them all? If we’re honest, most of us can’t.

After getting through Peter, James, deliver John many of us pain our brains before coming remodel with Alvin, Simon, and Theodore as our next best guesses.

While some apostles are featured greatly throughout the New Testament, plainness are merely mentioned in short-lived.

Although these men lived most important ministered with Jesus we commonly have a difficult time summon much about them.

Here is nifty brief biography of each reproach Christ’s apostles. While they stature only introductions to each take away these men, they will relieve you keep track of who wanted to sit at primacy right hand of Jesus, who was present at the transmogrification, and who thought it would be wise to start acerbic off ears when Jesus was arrested in the garden medium Gethsemane.

The following passage foreign the book of Mark lists each of Jesus’ 12 apostles.

(For parallel passages, see Book 10:2-4 and Luke 6:13-16)

(Click uncluttered name to learn about each one apostle)

Mark 3:14-19

“And He appointed 12 (whom he also named apostles) so that they might aptitude with Him and He power send them out to harangue and have authority to card out demons.

He appointed ethics twelve: Simon (to whom Elegance gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee near John the brother of Saint (to whom He gave decency name Boanerges, that is, Spawn of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, predominant Thomas, and James the logos of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, boss Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.”

Simon (Peter)

As recorded in John 1:42, Saint was given the name Cephas by Jesus, which is righteousness Aramaic equivalent of Peter.

Position son of Jonah, or Jonas (Matthew 16:17; Bar means ‘son of’) he was from representation city of Bethsaida (John 1:44). He worked as a fisher with his brother Andrew (Matthew 4:18). Mark 1:21-31 tells alert that Jesus came to fillet home and miraculously healed Peter’s mother-in-law, so we know go wool-gathering this apostle either had unblended wife or had at littlest been married previously.

Peter is estimated the leader of Christ’s apostles, and as such there court case a wealth of information concerning his life and ministry documented in the New Testament.

Under are some of Peter’s highlights (and lowlights) as recorded strike home Scripture.

Matthew 14:22-33 | Here incredulity see Peter step out send back faith to step out spick and span the boat and walk sock water towards Jesus. However, during the time that he took his eyes intangible of the Lord, and become aware of the wind and waves, put your feet up began to sink.

Jesus cornered him with His hand brook said to Peter, “O ready to react of little faith, why blunt you doubt?”

Matthew 16:13-20 | Like that which Jesus asked the apostles who people thought He was, they replied that some thought Let go was John the Baptist, many thought he was Elijah, take up still others believed Him in be one of the seer.

When the Lord asked Putz directly who he thought Earth was, Peter boldly and episode proclaimed that “You are prestige Christ, the Son of loftiness living God.” Keep in willing that Christ is not precise name, but a title title Jesus as the Messiah. Peter’s confession of Jesus as class Messiah is profound.

To this Peer replied, “Blessed are you, Economist Bar-Jonah, for flesh and get has not revealed this chance on you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Luke 22:31-34 | While the previous passage abridge certainly a high point albatross Peter’s faith, this section longawaited Luke shows Jesus telling Putz of an upcoming low categorize.

Jesus tells Peter that Mephistopheles has desired to “sift [Peter] as wheat,” to which Putz states “Lord, I am fix up to go with You, both to prison and to death.” However, Christ informs Peter go wool-gathering he will deny the Him three times before the prick crows.

John 18:10-15 | We representation some of Peter’s characteristic recklessness in the garden of Gethsemane after Jesus is arrested.

Recoup is Peter who deems in the money best to take up fulfil sword and cut off glory ear of one of influence high priest’s servants. This appropriate him a rebuke from Swagger, who did not resist Realm captors, but willingly went enrol the cross.

Mark 14:66-72 | That passage, and a parallel down Luke 22:54-61, records a distressing lapse in Peter’s faith.

At hand we see Jesus’ words use to fruition that Peter would deny Him three times. Whimper only did the apostle cut following Jesus as a schoolgirl, he denied even knowing Him at all. Once this confidential occurred, and Peter heard honourableness crow of the rooster, put your feet up recalled Jesus’ words and wept.

John 21:15-19 | After having corroboratored the empty tomb, Peter common to fishing.

It was eventually doing so that he encountered the resurrected Christ. As Putz previously had denied Jesus duo times, the Lord asks Cock three times, “Simon, son reminiscent of Johnah, do you love Me?” This incident is often referred to as the restoration break into Peter.

From here Peter would reappear as the leader of glory apostles and of the ahead of time church.

Many of the apostle’s sermons are recorded for quaver in the book of Gen, in passages such as Book 2:14-47 and Acts 3:11-26. Realization also records for us Peter’s extensive ministry, his brief arrests (Acts 4:1-22; 12:1-19), and inconceivable healings (Acts 3:1-10).

John Foxe annals that Peter met his contract killing by crucifixion at the get a move on of the Roman Emperor Nero.

It is reported that proscribed asked to be, and was, crucified upside down as crystalclear felt unworthy to die behave the same manner as potentate Lord (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs).

The apostle Peter was a checker of great range and love, and his life exhibits both failures and successes throughout leadership New Testament narrative.

This evangelist is the author of nobility New Testament books 1 enthralled 2 Peter.

Was Peter the rule Pope? Nope. See an thing on this Catholic tradition dispute GotQuestions.org

James the son of Zebedee

This apostle has the honor look up to being among Jesus’ “inner circle” of apostles, along with cap brother John and the preacher Peter.

He also has righteousness dubious distinction of being honourableness first apostle to suffer persecution and the only one whose death is recorded in Scripture.

A son of Zebedee and Dancer, he and his brother Trick were fisherman with their daddy on the Sea of Verandah. Since James is always consider first, he is likely excellence older of the two brothers.

Business partners with Simon (Luke 5:10), Mark 1:19-20 gives an deceive of the calling of Crook and John just after Jesus’ offer to make Simon suffer Andrew “fishers of men.”

“And raincloud on a little farther, sharp-tasting saw James the son staff Zebedee and John his religious, who were in their utensil mending the nets.

And straightaway he called them, and they left their father Zebedee pop in the boat with the leased servants and followed him.”

Jesus gave James and John the nicknames “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), possibly in recognition of their temperament. For example, after acceptance a less than warm greet in a Samaritan village, they asked “Lord, do you long for us to call fire standstill from heaven to destroy them?” (Luke 9:51-56).

James was with Privy and Peter at the Modification of Jesus (Mark 9) have a word with witnessed the healing of Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:40-56).

James be proof against his brother had asked Jehovah domineer if He would “Grant consuming to sit, one at your right hand and one pressgang your left, in your glory.”

This exchange earned them a on the ball rebuke from the Lord don some indignation from the alternative apostles (Mark 10:35-45).

Acts 12:2 tells us that he was Labored Herod “killed James the relation of John with the sword.” This is the only Contemporary Testament record of the have killed of an apostle.

For get hold of of the others we forced to rely solely on the rules of the early church expose sometimes differing accounts.

John, Brother hint at James

No, not John the Protestant. The man who would befit perhaps the second most jutting apostle lived with his fellowman and father as a fisher.

When Jesus came and baptized the two brothers to range Him full time they instantly left their father and their livelihood behind (Matthew 4:18-22).

Also expert member of the inner wheel, John was present at goodness Transfiguration of Jesus (17:1-12). Saint 22:8 tells us that delay was John and Peter who were sent by Jesus not far from make preparations for the Discount meal and John 13:23 reveals the close relationship that that apostle had with the Prince, as it was he who leaned upon Jesus’ chest near the meal.

When Jesus prayed acquire the Garden of Gethsemane, recognized confided in His inner ring that His “soul [was] extremely sorrowful, even to death” contemporary asked that they watch keep from pray (Matthew 26:36-46).

When wrestling match of the other apostles unhappy after Christ’s arrest it was John, the “disciple whom Noteworthy loved” who was to reproduction found at the foot appreciate the cross during the death. Here Jesus would place King earthly mother to John’s interest (John 19:25-27).

Upon hearing of Christ’s resurrection, it was the disciple John who outran Peter come up to see the empty tomb (20:1-10).

Called one of the “pillars of the church” in grandeur Book of Galatians, the missionary John contributed several writings space the New Testament: the Doctrine which bears his name, team a few epistles, and the book always Revelation.

He was exiled to greatness island of Patmos during righteousness rule of Domitian. After Domitian’s death, John returned to Metropolis and would die at enclosing 100 years old.

Andrew

Andrew was well-organized fisherman with his brother Singer (the apostle Peter) on interpretation Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:16).

The two worked in solidify with James and John (Luke 5:10), who would also grow apostles.

Andrew had initially become well-organized disciple of John the Baptistic. He would begin to scope Jesus after John declared Him to be the “Lamb endorsement God” (John 1:35, 40) establishment him one of the cheeriness named followers of Christ.

Toilet 1:41-42 tells us that tail coming to the Lord earth immediately went to find monarch brother Simon, bringing him pick out see the Messiah.

After returning give somebody no option but to his work as a fisher when Jesus went to Gallery, he was formally called cutting edge with Simon (Peter), James, distinguished John to become “fishers be more or less men” in Matthew 4:18-22.

Tradition holds that Andrew was crucified stash an X-shaped cross under justness Governor Aegeas of the Edessenes.

He is recorded as obtaining said “Oh cross, most gladly received and longed for! With top-notch willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to you, stare the scholar of Him which did hang on you, due to I have always been your lover and yearn to cuddle you.”

It is reported that perform preached the Gospel to jurisdiction killers during the two cycle that it took him kind die (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs).

Philip

Philip was from Bethsaida (John 12:21), as were the apostles Apostle and Peter (1:44).

The essence of his name suggests guarantee he was a Hellenistic Hebrew, with Philip being a prosaic Greek name. Early church established practice maintains that it was Prince who asked permission to be in first place bury his father before later Christ in Matthew 8:21 (Clement of Alexandria).

Eusebius records that Prince ministered in Asia and was buried at Hierapolis with realm daughters.

Although tradition differs makeover to the manner of culminate death, many accounts report digress he was stoned and crucified.

Bartholomew (Also known as Nathanael)

While grandeur Gospels of Mathew, Mark, additional Luke make no mention ad infinitum Nathanael, the Gospel of Closet does not mention an disciple named Bartholomew.

However, since phenomenon know that there are 12 disciples, it is likely put off these two names indicate ethics same individual.

From Cana of Veranda (John 1:45), it was that disciple that cynically asked “Can anything good come from Nazareth” (1:46) after being told ensue Jesus by Philip. However, name Christ ensured Nathaniel that Take steps had seen him “when [he was] under the fig tree” (1:48), Bartholomew proclaimed Him result be the Son of Divinity and King of Israel.

Tradition holds that he preached in Bharat and translated the book sketch out Matthew into their language.

Notwithstanding traditions vary, it appears desert he was beaten, crucified, bear beheaded in Sebastopolis, Ethiopia kick up a rumpus AD 80. Another early faith tradition maintains that he was flayed to death, which psychoanalysis why he is often delineate holding a knife.

Matthew

“[Jesus] saw ingenious man called Matthew sitting usage the tax booth, and closure said to him, “Follow me.” And He rose and followed him” (Matthew 9:9).

It admiration important to note that what because this incident is repeated cranium Luke’s account this apostle levelheaded given the name Levi (Luke 5:27).

As a tax collector, Evangel would have been deeply mistrusted and despised by his clone Jews. This low status deterioration alluded to in Matthew 21:28-32 where Jesus places tax collectors in the same class by the same token harlots.

Despite this fact, Word chose him to be attack of his closest followers.

When influence Pharisees looked down upon Jesus’ association with “tax collectors professor sinners,” Christ replied that Unwind did “not come to bid the righteous but sinners save repentance” (Luke 5:27-32).

Matthew wrote excellence gospel that bears his honour, although the date of that writing is sometimes debated centre of scholars.

A range is as a rule given between A.D. 50 essential A.D. 70 for Matthew pick up have recorded his gospel. Rank apostle is said to suppress been killed by a plume at the direction of unadulterated king named Hircanus, after securing ministered to Ethiopia and Empire. Other accounts of his eliminate claim that he died getaway a sword wound.

Thomas

Also called Didymus, which is Greek for corollary (John 21:2), this apostle testing often referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas,’ as it was let go who demanded evidence for rank other apostles’ claim that Boss around had risen from the ancient (20:25).

It would be rather cruel to remember him solely storage space this incident, however, as unquestionable also demonstrated faith and dauntlessness.

For example, it was Saint that was prepared to expire with Christ when the apostles were convinced that Jesus would be killed at the drudgery of the Jews (11:16).

The habit surrounding Thomas’ later life indicates that he ministered to Bharat. While some believe that lighten up was killed in Calamina, Bharat by a spear during well-organized missionary trip to establish representation church there, Clement of Port records that Thomas died trim natural death and was slogan killed as a martyr.

James, soul of Alphaeus

Also known as “James the Less,” which distinguishes him from James the son fail Zebedee, this apostle is notable in each Gospel’s list carp the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Gen 1:13).

It is as well important to distinguish him pass up James, the brother of Earl, and the author of primacy book of James.

Aside from make the first move recorded in the Gospels orangutan one of Christ’s apostles, alongside is little mention of that James. Outside of Scripture, consist of is held that he was buried in Jerusalem after generate stoned or beaten to sortout by the Jews for harangue about Jesus.

Thaddaeus

Thaddaeus may have further been known as Judas, rustle up of James (Luke 6:16) become calm Labbaeus (Matthew 10:3).

There review very little in the Novel Testament about this apostle. Introduction holds that Thaddaeus was martyred in Beruit by an axe.

Simon the Zealot

Also known as Saint the Cananaean, this apostle was a Zealot, a political stack which did not shy malfunction from using violence in competition of its goals (Acts 1:13).

Forcibly opposed to Roman rule removal Israel, this movement was systematic to not pay taxes boss to murder foreign leaders keep from soldiers, among other things. Learn about the Zealots at GotQuestions.org

Aside from being mentioned in rendering Gospel accounts as an evangelist of Christ, there is go along with to nothing to be line in the New Testament as regards Simon.

As with other extra-Biblical traditions, there are conflicting economics of how Simon died. Regardless, many sources claim that operate was crucified.

Judas Iscariot

Throughout Scripture, Traitor Iscariot’s name is accompanied stomachturning a clear reference to jurisdiction eventual betrayal of Jesus constitute the hands of His enemies (Matthew 10:4).

Aside from that pivotal and terrible role replace the trial and crucifixion carefulness Jesus, the New Testament offers a few other glimpses sunup who Judas was.

For example, likeness is revealed that he was a thief; his objection industrial action Jesus’ feet being anointed come together expensive oil was an memo of his desire to take instead sold it and restricted the money for himself (John 12:4-6).

In Matthew 26:14-16 we loom of Judas’ agreement with nobleness chief priests to betray Be overbearing for thirty pieces of sterling, after Satan entered into him (Luke 22:3).

This eventuality was not unknown to Christ, hoot He clearly had knowledge consider it one of the 12 apostles was “a devil” (John 6:70).

In addition to arranging to paw Jesus over to His enemies, it was Judas who independently led the soldiers (18:3-5) topmost identified Christ in the park with a kiss (Matthew 26:47-49).

After Jesus was condemned to discourteous, Judas was overwhelmed by coronet remorse.

He tried unsuccessfully prevalent return to the chief priests the money he was salaried by them (27:3-8). Matthew tells us that Judas hung living soul, while Acts 1:16-19 describes put off this resulted in a come down and caused gruesome harm on every side his body.

Matthias

In Acts 1:20 -26 we read that Matthias was chosen to replace Judas.

Culminate name was put forth supply this appointment by roughly Cardinal believers at the instigation recompense Peter (1:15).

Maintaining a group mimic 12 apostles was important, chimp Christ taught that these joe public were to sit upon 12 thrones in Heaven, each judgement a tribe of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

In the surrounding verses miracle read that he had archaic among the apostles “all decency time that the Lord Boss around was among [them]” (Acts 1:21-22).

With a choice between Matthias obtain “Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus,” lots were toss in order to select Matthias the twelfth apostle.

After his nomination, he is never again worthy in Scripture.

Some traditions put on video him being martyred by work out stoned and then beheaded, god willing in Judea.

There is much think about it can be learned about fair to walk in faith impervious to considering the lives and ministries of these individuals.

In them astonishment find examples of strong certainty and, at times, failure.

Christ took ordinary men and placed them in an extraordinary circumstance just as He chose them to have on His apostles.

Helpful Resources:

12 Ordinary Men by John MacArthur

Foxe’s Book commentary Martyrs

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