The Apostles of Jesus Christ

And when it was day, he called unto him, his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, who also he named apostles: Simon (whom he also named Peter) and Andrew, his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Simon called Zelotes, Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which was also the traitor.

--Luke 6:13-16.

Simon Peter

There was Simon Peter, a fisherman from the shores of Lake Genesareth. Simon Peter was the most frequent spokesman of the Apostles. He traveled to Antioch and Rome, healing the sick.

Andrew

Andrew, brother of Simon Peter, was also a fisherman from Capernaum. He was the first disciple named in John's Gospel. Andrew was one of the inner circle, preaching around the Black Sea in Cappadocia, Russian, Byantium, Macedonia, and Thessaly. He is believed to have died in Greece.

John

John was the beloved disciple and the only one remaining faithful to the Master during his passion. At the time of the crucifixion, Jesus committed His mother to John's care. John's ministry took him through Asia Minor. He was eventually exiled in Patmos. He is reputed to have been buried in Ephesus.

James

James was the first disciple to suffer martyrdom. He was the brother of John and became the first apostle of Spain. James was put to death by the sword at the order of Herod Agrippa.

Philip

Philip was a native of Bethsaida. He was shy, naive and sober-minded. He was present at the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Philip's apostolate took him to Scythia where he died in Hieropolis.

Bartholomew

Philip introduced Bartholomew to Christ. His mission was in India, Mesopotamia and Parthia.

Matthew

The seventh apostle was Matthew. He was a Galilean by birth and a a tax gatherer by trade. Matthew was originally known as Levi. Matthew was present at the resurrection and ascension and is often symbolized as a winged man.

Thomas

Thomas worked with Matthew, the first disciple to acknowledge Christ's divinity. It was Thomas who questioned the Resurrection until he was show the wounds in his Master's hands and side.

James the Less

James the Less was called to the apostolate during the second year of Christ's ministry. His father's name was Alpheus and his mother was one of the Marys who went to Jesus' tomb on Easter morning.

Jude

The brother of James the Less is Jude who came from the party of the zealots. He was a patron of desperate causes and his missionary work took him to Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, and to his martyrdom in Persia.

Simon the Zealot

Martyred along with Saint Jude was the Cananean Simon who possessed a zeal for the Jewish law. He preached along the Black Sea and in Egypt and North Africa. He is reported to have died in Iberia.

Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot was the only non-Galilean apostle. He turned traitor against Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. He informed the priests and elders of Jesus' whereabouts by kissing the Master at Gethsemane. He is said to have committed suicide out of remorse for the betrayal.

{Back to the treasure box}