These twelve men were chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers and to carry His message to the world.
Their lives were marked by profound transformation, courageous preaching, and, for many, martyrdom.
The Apostles were not just historical figures but spiritual pillars who laid the foundation of the Christian Church.
This article provides a biography of each of the twelve Apostles, highlighting their unique contributions to the faith.
1. Peter (Simon Peter)
Peter was known for his impulsive nature, famously declaring his willingness to die for Jesus but later denying Him three times during the Passion.
After the resurrection, Jesus reaffirmed Peter’s mission to lead His followers, asking him three times to "feed my sheep." Peter was a bold preacher and leader in the early Church and was eventually martyred in Rome.
Tradition holds that he was crucified upside down, at his request, as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
2. Andrew
Originally a follower of John the Baptist, Andrew recognised Jesus as the Messiah and was quick to bring his brother Peter to meet Him. Known as the "Protokletos" or "first-called," Andrew had a heart for evangelism.
He is noted for introducing the boy with five loaves and two fishes to Jesus during the feeding of the 5,000. After Jesus’ ascension, Andrew preached the Gospel in Asia Minor, Scythia, and Greece.
Tradition holds that he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, known today as St. Andrew's Cross, in Patras, Greece.
James the Greater was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John, another of the Apostles. He is called "the Greater" to distinguish him from the other Apostle named James.
James and John, known as the "sons of thunder," were among Jesus’ closest disciples, present at significant events like the Transfiguration and the Garden of Gethsemane.
James was the first Apostle to be martyred, executed by the sword on the orders of King Herod Agrippa around 44 AD. His death is the only Apostle’s martyrdom recorded in the New Testament.
His remains are believed to be interred at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, making it a popular pilgrimage site.
John, the brother of James the Greater, was also a son of Zebedee. Known as "the beloved disciple," John was especially close to Jesus, often depicted as reclining next to Him at the Last Supper.
He is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of John, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
John was the only Apostle to remain at the foot of the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to him.
Unlike the other Apostles, John is believed to have died of natural causes around the end of the first century, having lived and preached in Ephesus.
Philip came from Bethsaida, the same town as Peter and Andrew.
He was one of the first disciples called by Jesus, and he quickly brought Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) to meet Him.
Philip is depicted in the Gospels as a practical and straightforward man, asking Jesus to show the disciples the Father and questioning how they could feed the multitude.
After Jesus’ ascension, Philip preached in Asia Minor, particularly in Phrygia.
Tradition holds that he was martyred in Hierapolis (in modern-day Turkey), possibly by crucifixion or stoning.
Bartholomew is often identified with Nathanael, whom Philip introduced to Jesus.
When Nathanael first heard about Jesus, he famously asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" But upon meeting Jesus, he was quickly convinced and became one of His followers. Jesus praised him as "an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit."
After Pentecost, Bartholomew is believed to have preached in India, Armenia, and other parts of Asia. He is said to have been martyred in Armenia by being flayed alive and then beheaded, a gruesome end commemorated in much Christian art.
Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before becoming a follower of Jesus. His profession made him a social outcast among the Jews, yet Jesus called him to discipleship, demonstrating His message of redemption and forgiveness.
Matthew is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel that bears his name, aimed primarily at a Jewish audience to show that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
After the resurrection, Matthew is said to have preached in Judea, Ethiopia, and Persia. Various accounts of his death exist, but he is generally believed to have been martyred.
Thomas, also called Didymus, meaning "twin," is best known for doubting the resurrection of Jesus until he could see and touch Jesus’ wounds. This moment of doubt earned him the nickname "Doubting Thomas," but his subsequent declaration of faith, "My Lord and my God!" stands as a powerful testament to his belief.
Thomas is traditionally believed to have travelled to India, where he preached the Gospel and established several Christian communities, particularly in Kerala. He was martyred in Mylapore, India, by being pierced with spears.
James the Less is also known as James, the son of Alphaeus. He is referred to as "the Less" to distinguish him from James the Greater, not because of lesser importance but possibly due to his age or stature.
James is a more obscure figure among the Apostles, with little recorded about his life and ministry in the New Testament. He is sometimes identified with James the Just, the leader of the Jerusalem Church and author of the Epistle of James.
Tradition holds that James the Less was martyred by being thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem, followed by a beating with a club.
Jude, also called Thaddeus or Judas son of James, is the author of the Epistle of Jude, a letter warning against false teachers and urging Christians to persevere in faith.
He is often confused with Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, which is why he is sometimes referred to as Jude Thaddeus to avoid this association.
After Pentecost, Jude is believed to have preached in Judea, Samaria, Syria, and Mesopotamia.
Tradition holds that he was martyred in Persia, possibly alongside Simon the Zealot, by being clubbed to death.
Simon the Zealot, also known as Simon the Cananaean, was likely a member of the Zealot party, a group of Jewish nationalists who sought to overthrow Roman rule in Palestine.
Little is recorded about Simon’s activities in the New Testament, but his zealous nature for the Jewish law may have influenced his passion for spreading the Gospel.
After Jesus’ ascension, Simon is believed to have preached in Egypt and Persia.
Tradition suggests that he was martyred in Persia, possibly alongside Jude, either by crucifixion or being sawn in half.
Judas Iscariot is known for his betrayal of Jesus, which led to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.
Chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve, Judas held the position of treasurer among the Apostles but later succumbed to greed, betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Overcome with guilt after Jesus’ condemnation, Judas returned the silver to the chief priests and subsequently took his own life.
His death is portrayed as a tragic end for a man who, despite his proximity to Jesus, failed to fully grasp His message of love and forgiveness.
Matthias was chosen by the remaining eleven Apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following his betrayal and death.
The selection of Matthias, as described in the Acts of the Apostles, was done by casting lots, a method considered to be guided by divine will.
Although little is known about Matthias’s ministry, tradition holds that he preached in Judea and later in regions like Cappadocia and along the Caspian Sea.
He is believed to have been martyred, either by stoning or beheading.
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They were ordinary men—fishermen, tax collectors, zealots—who became extraordinary witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Their ministries were diverse, spanning different regions and cultures, yet they all shared a common mission: to spread the Gospel and establish the Church.
The Apostles’ legacies continue to inspire Christians today, reminding us of the power of faith, the importance of evangelism, and the enduring call to discipleship.