The Twelve Apostles

On Maundy Thursday, we celebrate Communion with Jesus and His disciples. Some of his disciples are pretty well known, but others aren't well-known outside of the biblical record. But tradition is rich with what they did following Jesus' resurrection.

Celebrating Communion with Jesus' disciples gives us insight into who they were, and though most of them fell away (only John stuck around for the crucifixion), and Peter famously denied even knowing Jesus, they went on to change the world.

Simon Peter: Native of Galilee, was a fisherman with his father, Jonas, and his brother, Andrew. He was originally a disciple of John the Baptist, but his brother, Andrew, came to him with good news: “We have found the Messiah!” So he goes to meet Jesus, who immediately gives him the nickname, “Cephas” or “Peter” (meaning “Rock”). He was one of Jesus’ closest friends and followers and he became the regular spokesman for the disciples, taking a place of leadership among them. It was Peter who stepped out of the boat and walked on water, and it was Peter who confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, but it was also Peter who denied Jesus three times as Jesus was going to His death. Jesus famously reinstated Peter, telling him “Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep.” After Jesus’ ascension, Peter took a primary role in the church fulfilling Jesus’ prediction that he would be the rock of the church and the holder of the keys of heaven. He preached famously on the Day of Pentecost, when God sent His Holy Spirit in power. Peter was the source for the Gospel According to Mark and wrote two letters to the church, 1^st and 2^nd Peter. Peter was crucified by Nero in Rome c. AD 64.

Andrew:  Originally a disciple of John the Baptist, but was led to become Jesus’ disciple when John pointed out “the Lamb of God.” Andrew was the first disciple of Jesus to be called by name. He immediately went and told his brother Simon Peter about Jesus, and later they left their fishing nets to follow Jesus. Andrew became part of Jesus’ inner circle, and it was he who brought the boy with the loaves and fishes and brought inquisitive Greeks to Jesus. Andrew brought the Gospel to the Scythians (modern day Georgia) and Thracians (modern day Bulgaria). According to tradition, it was in Achaia, Greece, in the town of Patra that Andrew died a martyr. When Governor Aegeas' wife was healed and converted to the Christian faith, and shortly after that the Governor's brother became a Christian, Aegeas was enraged. He arrested Andrew and condemned him to die on the cross. Andrew, feeling unworthy to be crucified on the same-shaped cross as his Master, begged that his be different. So, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is still called Saint Andrew's cross. 

James, son of Zebedee: from Bethesda, from a family of some wealth and influence, probably from a profitable fishing trade. He and his brother John were called the “Sons of Thunder” because of their fiery temperament. He and his family had high aspirations, wanting special places in the Kingdom of God. He was part of Jesus’ inner circle. James was beheaded by the sword in AD 44 and his body sawed into pieces, during the persecution undertaken by Herod Agrippa. He was the first of the twelve to die. But even in his death, James was an evangelist; the officer who brought James to his tribunal was so moved by his bold declaration of faith that he embraced the Gospel and accepted Jesus Christ.

John, son of Zebedee: like his brother, James, John was from Bethesda, a family of some wealth and influence, probably from a profitable fishing trade. He and his brother James were called the “Sons of Thunder” because of their temperament. He was part of Jesus’ inner circle and was known as “the Disciple Jesus Loved.” He was the only one of the Twelve to have witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion (along with the women). After Jesus’ crucifixion, he took Jesus’ mother Mary into his own home to care for her. John was exiled to the Island of Patmos. There is no biblical record of John’s death, and he is believed to have died of natural causes due to old age.

Philip: also from Bethesda. He was also one of John the Baptist’s disciples before he met Jesus. He had clear expectations of the Old Testament Messiah and immediately brought news of the Messiah to his friend, Nathaniel, who shared his messianic expectations. Clement of Alexandreia assumes that it was Philip who told Jesus, “Let me first go and bury my father,” to which Jesus responded, “Let the dead bury their own; follow me.” But Philip grew into a missionary; when some Greeks came to Jerusalem to worship, it was Philip who they came to and who (along with Andrew) brought them to Jesus. He is also known for later sharing the Gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch and baptizing him.  Philip preached in Phrygia and was crucified upside down in AD 54.

Bartholomew (also known as Nathaniel): His full name was most likely Nathaniel Bar-Tholami, brought to Jesus by Philip. He was a native of Cana in Galilee. Jesus pronounced him “a true Israelite without guile” and he made a profound declaration of Jesus as Messiah. He was a great searcher of the Scripture and a scholar in the Law and the Prophets. He was a man of complete sincerity, a man earnest in prayer, a man who made complete surrender to the Carpenter of Nazareth, and one of the Church's most adventurous missionaries. He is said to have preached with Philip in Phrygia and Hierapolis; also in Armenia. The Armenian Church claims him as its founder and martyr. Bartholomew preached in India, where he also brought the Gospel According to Matthew. Bartholomew was crucified upside down.

Thomas, the Twin: Was called “Didymus, meaning “The Twin.” He was from Antioch. He is often known as “Doubting Thomas” for his misgivings concerning Jesus’ resurrection, yet he made a remarkable stand of faith, urging the disciples to go with Jesus to Judea so that they might die with him. After the resurrection, when Jesus appears to the disciples, this time with Thomas present, Thomas confesses that Jesus is Lord and God, one of the most profound and clear declarations of Jesus’ divinity. Thomas preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and Margians. He was killed by a spear in AD 72 and was buried in Edessa.

Matthew (also known as Levi): was the son of Alphaeus (not the same Alphaeus who was the father of James the Less). He was a tax collector whom Jesus called from his tax collection booth. It’s likely that his full name was Matthew Levi – either from birth or from his conversion. His tax collection booth was on one of the main trade highways near Capernaum, where he collected tolls for Herod Antipas from commercial trade traffic coming through this area. After Jesus called Matthew to follow him, he held a huge banquet for Jesus, inviting his fellow tax collectors and “sinners.” He was the author of the Gospel According to Matthew. After Jesus’ death, Matthew remained in Jerusalem for fifteen years, preaching to Jews. After this, he traveled to Ethiopia, Persia, and Macedonia, where he preached primarily to Jews. Early Church Fathers accepted that he did not die a martyr’s death, but later tradition includes his martyrdom.

James, son of Alphaeus: is also known as “James the Younger” – the son of Mary and the brother of Joses – or “James the Less” (for his younger age, smaller stature, or lesser renown). His mother, Mary, was at Jesus’ crucifixion and at the discovery of the empty tomb, and his father, Clopas, was likely Joseph’s brother, making James Jesus’ cousin. Jews stoned him to death after he preached in Jerusalem. He was buried by the Temple.

Thaddaeus: was also known as Jude or Judas, son of James. Judas is probably his given name and Thaddaeus is a nickname or place name. His only recorded New Testament activity was asking Jesus a question during the Last Supper: “But Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” He was hoping for a conquering king messiah, not a suffering servant. He preached the gospel in Syria and Edessa, from whence he traveled to Assyria. He was martyred in Phoenecia.

Simon the Zealot: “Simon the Cananaean” a Greek transliteration of the Aramaic word for “zeal” or “zealot.” He was a zealous nationalist prior to his call to follow Jesus, and this may indicate some of his ongoing temperament. Later the term zealot was used to designate religiously motivated Jewish revolutionaries who were active in guerilla-type warfare in the period leading up to A.D. 70 and the destruction of Jerusalem. Simon was crucified in AD 74.

Judas Iscariot: Iscariot likely identifies his place of origin; his father was Simon Iscariot.  He was the treasurer for the Twelve, a position which assumes positive characteristics. Later it was indicated that he was a thief, stealing from the treasury funds. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas betrayed Jesus to the Jewish leaders. He led them to Jesus and betrayed him with a kiss. Wracked by guilt, he returned the money, throwing it into the temple. Judas then committed suicide. The Jewish leaders used the money to buy the potter’s field, which they used as a burial place for foreigners.