Bible facts
The 12 apostles of Jesus: who they were and how they died
The 12 apostles were the disciples Jesus chose as his inner group: Peter, Andrew, James and John (sons of Zebedee), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, later replaced by Matthias. The Bible records only the deaths of James, son of Zebedee, and of Judas; what we know about the others comes from later traditions of varying reliability.
Who were the 12 apostles?
The list appears in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts, with small variations in the names:
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
The number twelve recalls the twelve tribes of Israel: Jesus forms a renewed people around a symbolic group. “Apostle” comes from the Greek apostolos, “one who is sent”.
How did the apostles die?
This table brings together what the Bible and the earliest traditions say about each one:
| Apostle | Who he was | How he died |
|---|---|---|
| Peter (Simon) | Fisherman, brother of Andrew; leader of the group | Crucified in Rome under Nero, around AD 64–67; tradition says upside down |
| Andrew | Fisherman, former disciple of John the Baptist | Crucified at Patras, Greece; the X-shaped cross is a medieval tradition |
| James, son of Zebedee | Fisherman, brother of John | Killed with the sword by Herod Agrippa around AD 44 (Acts 12:2); the only apostle’s death recorded in the Bible |
| John | Fisherman, brother of James | According to tradition, the only one to die of old age, in Ephesus, after exile on Patmos |
| Philip | From Bethsaida | Martyred at Hierapolis, in modern Turkey, according to tradition |
| Bartholomew (Nathanael) | Friend of Philip | Flayed alive and beheaded in Armenia, according to tradition |
| Thomas | “The Twin”, known for his doubt (John 20) | Killed with a spear in India, near modern Chennai, according to tradition |
| Matthew (Levi) | Tax collector | Traditions differ: martyred in Ethiopia or Persia, or a natural death |
| James, son of Alphaeus | Called “the Less” | If he is the same as James, the brother of the Lord, he was stoned in Jerusalem in AD 62; the identification is debated |
| Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James) | Also called Judas, “not Iscariot” (John 14:22) | Martyred in Persia with Simon, according to Western tradition; Armenian tradition links him to Armenia |
| Simon the Zealot | Possibly linked to the Jewish nationalist movement | Martyred in Persia (Western tradition); other versions exist |
| Judas Iscariot | Treasurer of the group; betrayed Jesus | Matthew 27:5 says he hanged himself; Acts 1:18 describes his death differently |
| Matthias | Chosen to replace Judas (Acts 1:26) | Traditions differ: stoned in Jerusalem or killed in Colchis |
What is history and what is tradition?
Only two deaths are in the Bible: that of James, son of Zebedee (Acts 12:2), and that of Judas Iscariot. Peter’s martyrdom in Rome is well attested by early sources such as the letter of Clement of Rome (around AD 96), and John 21:18–19 seems to allude to it. The other stories come from accounts written between the 2nd and 6th centuries, such as the apocryphal Acts of each apostle, and mix early memories with legend. Historians treat them with caution.
Was Paul one of the 12 apostles?
No. Paul calls himself an apostle because he saw the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9; 1 Corinthians 15:8–9), but he was not one of the Twelve. According to tradition he was beheaded in Rome, also under Nero.
Why do these deaths matter?
For many Christians, the apostles’ willingness to die for their message is a sign that they sincerely believed in the resurrection. That is why the Catholic and Orthodox churches celebrate each apostle with a feast day, and several cities claim their relics, such as Rome (Peter), Santiago de Compostela (James) and Chennai (Thomas).
Among Jesus’ closest followers there were also women, such as Mary Magdalene, the first witness of the resurrection.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the names of the 12 apostles?
Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, replaced by Matthias.
How did the apostles of Jesus die?
The Bible records only the deaths of James (Acts 12:2) and Judas. According to tradition, most died as martyrs, and John is said to be the only one who died of old age.
Which apostle died first?
Judas Iscariot, shortly after the crucifixion. The first apostle to be martyred was James, son of Zebedee, around AD 44.
Who replaced Judas among the Twelve?
Matthias, chosen by lot after Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:15–26).
Was Peter crucified upside down?
That is what an early tradition says, recorded in the Acts of Peter and cited by Origen. His martyrdom in Rome is well attested; the detail of the position cannot be confirmed.