Julie R.

Ugsod
BSA-2

1. Peter

Also known as Simon, Simon Peter, or Cephas (Rock), Peter was a gregarious, natural leader,
and an obvious spokesperson for the twelve. Peter’s name is mentioned far more in the New
Testament than any other of the disciples. He was the older of the two brothers and the only
married disciple. (Luke 4:38) His wife was known to travel with him when he was on mission. (1
Cor. 9:5) His assignment was to bring the Gospel to the circumcised. (Gal. 2:7)

Peter is well known for denying Christ three times after Christ was arrested. After his own arrest
many years later he requested to be crucified with his head down. He didn’t believe he was
worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. He died a martyr’s death in Rome during
the reign of Nero. Some speculate around the same time as Paul was being beheaded.

2. Andrew

An early disciple of John the Baptist, Andrew, and John, the Son of Zebedee were present when
John the Baptist said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35) Andrew was the first to follow
Jesus and his enthusiasm was evident as his desire to introduce his older brother to Jesus
revealed what was already in his heart—a deep love for God.

He was not a dominant person next to his outspoken brother. He was a passionate preacher and
shared the gospel boldly and was a significant contributor to the early church.

Andrew died a martyr’s death. He faced crucifixion with boldness and courage. He said, “Oh,
cross most welcome and longed for! With a willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to you,
being a scholar of Him which did hang on you, because I have always been your lover and yearn
to embrace you.”

3. James

James is the elder brother of John. He is a rather quiet part of the team of disciples in that we
don’t read much about him in Scripture. As part of Jesus’ “inner three” he was permitted to be
present along with Peter and John when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37),
he witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 17:1), and he was in the
Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. (Mark 14:33)

James was the first disciple to be martyred (he was beheaded) and the only disciple to have their
martyrdom recorded in Scripture. (Acts 12:1-3)
4. John

Known as the “disciple Jesus loved,” he was also a part of the inner three. (John 3:23) He wrote
a large portion of the New Testament—The book of John, 1, 2, and 3 John, and the book of
Revelation. He wrote more about love than any other New Testament author. His close proximity
to Jesus taught him much about love.

He was exiled to the island of Patmos under Domitian, but after his death, John was allowed to
return to Ephesus where he governed churches in Asia until his death at about A.D. 100.

5. Philip

“The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him,
Follow Me.” (John 1:43)

What do we know about Philip? Almost nothing. Although a Jew, we only know him by his
Greek name, Philip. A heart for evangelism, he was anxious to tell Nathanael the One foretold by
Moses and the prophets had been found. (John 1:45) They were close companions and possibly
studied the Old Testament together.

Philip was stoned and crucified in Hierapolis, Phrygia.

6. Nathanael

Also known as Bartholomew, Nathanael came from Cana in Galilee. (John 21:2) He expressed
some local prejudice about Nazareth. (John 1:46) Jesus recognized how sincerely his love for
God was from the beginning when He said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no
deceit!” (John 1:47)

Nathanael may have preached in India and translated the book of Matthew into their language.
He was beaten, crucified, and beheaded. He died as a martyr while serving the people of
Albinopolis, Armenia.

7. Matthew

Levi, the Son of Alphaeus, Matthew was a tax collector--the most despised people in all of
Israel. They were known for taking extra money from the people of Israel to pay off the Romans
and to pad their own pockets.

Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax
collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many
of them, and they were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisee’s saw that He was
eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, Why is he eating and
drinking with tax collectors and sinners? And hearing this, Jesus said to them, It is not those who
are healthy that need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners. (Mark 2:16)

Matthew brought the gospel to Ethiopia and Egypt. Hircanus the king had him killed with a
spear.

8. Thomas

Usually nicknamed “Doubting Thomas," Thomas was also called Didymus, meaning The Twin
(although a twin brother or sister is never mentioned in the Bible.) He was an outspoken skeptic
to the point of being known as a pessimist. No details are given about Thomas in the first three
Gospels other than the mention of his name. John’s first mention of Thomas is in John 11:16.
Lazarus had died and the disciples feared for the life of Jesus and themselves if they were to go
back to Bethany. Thomas speaks up. “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16
NASB) Here we see the character quality of courage and loyalty to Christ, a quality not often
attributed to Thomas.

His devotion to Christ is further displayed when Jesus told the disciples that He was going to go
away and prepare a place for them. “And you know the way where I am going. Thomas said to
Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” (John 14:4-5)
Thomas didn’t want to be left behind. And then Thomas’ love for Jesus and his desire to see and
touch before he believed and then his declaration, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28)

Tradition strongly suggests that Thomas started the Christian church in India. Some suggest
being run through by a spear killed him, ironically, similar to Jesus being pierced by a spear.

9. James the Less

He is the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15). His mother’s name is Mary (Mark 15:40) and he has a
brother named Joseph (Matthew 27:56). Except for a few details about his family, there is
nothing more mentioned about him in Scripture. Maybe this is why he is referred to as James the
Less in Mark 15:40. What is important to remember is although James was somewhat in the
background, he was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve disciples. He was trained and used
by Christ in a powerful way to further the Kingdom of God. He was a valuable team member.

Tradition says he was crucified in Sinai or possibly stoned to death in Jerusalem.

10. Simon the Zealot

Simon was probably a political activist in his younger years. Why would Jesus choose someone
with this background?

“It is amazing that Jesus would select a man like Simon to be an apostle. But he was a man of
fierce loyalties, amazing passion, courage, and zeal. Simon had believed the truth and embraced
Christ as his Lord. The fiery enthusiasm he once had for Israel was now expressed in his
devotion to Christ.” -Twelve Ordinary Men

There is some speculation about what happened to Simon. Tradition says that after preaching on
the west coast of Africa, Simon went to England where he ended up being crucified in 74 AD.

11. Judas, son of James

The eleventh name on the list of disciples is Judas. Also known as Jude, Thaddeus,
and Lebbaeus, Judas lived in obscurity as one of the Twelve. He did ask Jesus a question in John
14:22, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
Judas seemed overly concerned with this question. Christ responded by saying He would reveal
Himself to anyone who loved Him.

Most early tradition says that Judas, son of James, a few years after Pentecost, took the gospel
north to Edessa. There he healed the King of Edessa, Abgar. Eusebius the historian said the
archives at Edessa contained the visit of Judas and the healing of Abgar (the records have now
been destroyed). The traditional symbol of Judas is a club and tradition says he was clubbed to
death for his faith.

12. Judas Iscariot

Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?"
Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray
Him. (John 6:70-71)

The Traitor. Nothing is known about Judas’ background. His encounter and call by Jesus is not
recorded in Scripture. He was not from Galilee--that much is known. He obviously became a
follower and stayed with Jesus for three years. He gave Christ three years of his life, but he
certainly didn’t give Him his heart, and Jesus knew this. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of
silver. (Matthew 26:15)

“The other eleven apostles are all great encouragements to us because they exemplify how
common people with typical failings can be used by God in uncommon, remarkable ways. Judas,
on the other hand, stands as a warning about the evil potential of spiritual carelessness,
squandered opportunity, sinful lusts, and hardness of the heart. Here was a man who drew as
close to the Savior as it is humanly possible to be. He enjoyed every privilege Christ affords. He
was intimately familiar with everything Jesus taught. Yet he remained in unbelief and went into a
hopeless eternity.” Twelve Ordinary Men
 BIBLE21
JULIE R. UGSOD PASTOR ELIEZER B. VILLARIN
BSA-2 TTH 3:00-5:00PM/APRIL 30,2019
Twelve Place of Birth Occupation Family Background
Disciples of Jesus
1.Simon Peter Bethsaida "of Fisherman Also known as Simon, Simon Peter, or Cephas
Galilee" (Rock). There is indirect evidence that Peter was the
- a small town on son of John and was married. His family originally
the Sea of came from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), but
Galilee. during the period of Jesus’ ministry Peter lived in
Capernaum, at the northwest end of the Sea of
Galilee, where he and his brother St. Andrew were
in partnership as fishermen with St. James and St.
John, the sons of Zebedee (Gospel According to
Luke 5:10).
2. Andrew Bethsaida Fisherman Brother of Peter and disciple of John the Baptist,
-a small town on and also the First-Called Apostle He was not a
the Sea of dominant person next to his outspoken brother. He
Galilee. was a passionate preacher and shared the gospel
boldly and was a significant contributor to the early
church.
3. James Galilee Fisherman Also called James, son of Zebedee, or James the
Greater , the elder brother of John. One of the
Twelve Apostles, distinguished as being in Jesus’
innermost circle and the only apostle whose
martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament (Acts
12:2). James and his younger brother, the apostle
St. John, are designated Boanerges (from the Greek
boanerges), or “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17),
4. John Galilee Fisherman Also called Saint John the Evangelist or Saint John
the Divine, John was the son of Zebedee, a Galilean
fisherman, and Salome. John and his brother St.
James were among the first disciples called by
Jesus.
5.Philip Bethsaida of Fisherman/ Philip seemingly belonged to a group influenced by
Galilee Trademan St. John the Baptist. He participated in the miracle
of the loaves and fishes (John 6:5–9), accounting for
his symbol in medieval art of loaves.
6.Nathanael Cana in Galilee Fisherman Also known as Bartholomew,Bartholomew is a
family name meaning “son of [Hebrew: bar] Tolmai,
or Talmai,” so he may have had another personal
name. For that reason and because he was always
associated with St. Philip the Apostle in the Gospel
 lists, a 9th-century tradition identified him with
Nathanael, who, according to John 1:43–51, was
called with Philip by Jesus.
7. Matthew Born in Tax collector Levi, the Son of Alphaeus, Matthew was a the most
Palestine and despised people in all of Israel. They were known
worked in for taking extra money from the people of Israel to
Capernaum pay off the Romans and to pad their own pockets.
8. Thomas Galilee Fisherman His name in Aramaic (Teʾoma) and Greek (Didymos)
means “twin”; John 11:16 identifies him as
“Thomas, called the Twin.” He is called Judas
Thomas (i.e., Judas the Twin) by the Syrians. Usually
nicknamed “Doubting Thomas," Thomas was also
called Didymus, meaning The Twin (although a twin
brother or sister is never mentioned in the Bible.)
9. James the less Judea, Galilee Trademan Also called James, son of Alphaeus, or James the
Younger. He is the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15). His
mother’s name is Mary (Mark 15:40) and he has a
brother named Joseph (Matthew 27:56). Except for
a few details about his family, there is nothing more
mentioned about him in Scripture. Maybe this is
why he is referred to as James the Less in Mark
15:40.
10. Simon the Judea, Galilee Politician or Simon was probably a political activist in his
Zealot revolutionary younger years. “It is amazing that Jesus would
select a man like Simon to be an apostle. But he
was a man of fierce loyalties, amazing passion,
courage, and zeal. Simon had believed the truth and
embraced Christ as his Lord.
11. Judas Galilee Trademan The eleventh name on the list of disciples is Judas.
Also known as Jude, Thaddeus, and Lebbaeus, Judas
lived in obscurity as one of the Twelve.
12. Judas Iscariot Jerusalem, Israel Thief Son of Simon Iscariot and Cyborea Iscariot, Judas’
surname is more probably a corruption of the Latin
sicarius (“murderer” or “assassin”) than an
indication of family origin, suggesting that he would
have belonged to the Sicarii, the most radical
Jewish group, some of whom were terrorists.
In all likelihood Philip, James (the son of Alphaeus), and Judas (Thaddaeus) were tradesmen of some
sort. Regardless of their professions, eleven of the disciples immediately left behind everything to follow
Jesus.

Judas Iscariot, chosen by Jesus as treasurer, appears to be the only disciple who struggled continually
with financial insecurity.

*Peter was a gregarious, natural leader, and an obvious spokesperson for the twelve. Peter’s name is
mentioned far more in the New Testament than any other of the disciples. He was the older of the two
brothers and the only married disciple. His assignment was to bring the Gospel to the circumcised His
assignment was to bring the Gospel to the circumcised. Peter is well known for denying Christ three
times after Christ was arrested. There is indirect evidence that Peter was the son of John and was
married. His family originally came from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), but during the period of Jesus’
ministry Peter lived in Capernaum, at the northwest end of the Sea of Galilee, where he and his brother
St. Andrew were in partnership as fishermen with St. James and St. John, the sons of Zebedee (Gospel
According to Luke 5:10).

* James the elder brother of John. He is a rather quiet part of the team of disciples in that we
don’t read much about him in Scripture. As part of Jesus’ “inner three” he was permitted to be
present along with Peter and John when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37),
he witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 17:1), and he was in the
Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. (Mark 14:33)

*John Son of Zebedee Known as the “disciple Jesus loved,” he was also a part of the inner
three. (John 3:23) He wrote a large portion of the New Testament—The book of John, 1, 2, and
3 John, and the book of Revelation. He wrote more about love than any other New Testament
author. His close proximity to Jesus taught him much about love.

*Saint James, also called James, son of Zebedee, or James the Greater, (born, Galilee,
Palestine—died 44 ce, Jerusalem; feast day July 25), one of the Twelve Apostles, distinguished
as being in Jesus’ innermost circle and the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New
Testament (Acts 12:2).

James and his younger brother, the apostle St. John, are designated Boanerges (from the Greek
boanerges), or “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), perhaps because of their characteristic fiery zeal
(Mark 9:38, Luke 9:54). With Saints Peter and Andrew, James and John were the first four
disciples whom Jesus called (Mark 1:16–19) and whose question (“Tell us, when will this [the
end of time] be, and what will be the sign when these things are all to be accomplished?”) sparks
Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Mark 13.

*St. John the Apostle, also called Saint John the Evangelist or Saint John the Divine,
(flourished 1st century ce; Western feast day December 27; Eastern feast days May 8 and
September 26), in Christian tradition, an apostle of Jesus and the author of three letters, the
Fourth Gospel, and possibly the Revelation to John in the New Testament. He played a leading
role in the early church at Jerusalem.

John was the son of Zebedee, a Galilean fisherman, and Salome. John and his brother St. James
were among the first disciples called by Jesus. In The Gospel According to Mark he is always
mentioned after James and was no doubt the younger brother. His mother was among those
women who ministered to the circle of disciples. James and John were called Boanerges, or
“sons of thunder,” by Jesus, perhaps because of some character trait such as the zeal exemplified
in Mark 9:38 and Luke 9:54, when John and James wanted to call down fire from heaven to
punish the Samaritan towns that did not accept Jesus. John and his brother, together with St.
Peter, formed an inner nucleus of intimate disciples. In the Fourth Gospel, ascribed by early
tradition to John and known formally as The Gospel According to John, the sons of Zebedee are
mentioned only once, as being at the shores of the Sea of Tiberias when the risen Lord appeared.
Whether the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (who is never named) mentioned in this Gospel is to
be identified with John (also not named) is not clear from the text.

John’s authoritative position in the church after the Resurrection is shown by his visit with St.
Peter to Samaria to lay hands on the new converts there. It is to Peter, James (not the brother of
John but “the brother of Jesus”), and John that St. Paul successfully submitted his conversion and
mission for recognition. What position John held in the controversy concerning the admission of
the Gentiles to the church is not known; the evidence is insufficient for a theory that the
Johannine school was anti-Pauline—i.e., opposed to granting Gentiles membership in the church.

*Saint Philip the Apostle, (born, Bethsaida of Galilee—died 1st century, Western feast day
May 3, Eastern feast day November 14), one of the Twelve Apostles. Mentioned only by name
in the Apostle lists of the Synoptic Gospels, he is a frequent character in the Gospel According to
John, according to which (1:43–51) he came from Bethsaida, answered Jesus’ call (“Follow
me”), and was instrumental in the call of St. Nathanael (probably St. Bartholomew the Apostle),
whom he brought to Jesus.

At the time of his call, Philip seemingly belonged to a group influenced by St. John the Baptist.
He participated in the miracle of the loaves and fishes (John 6:5–9), accounting for his symbol in
medieval art of loaves. With St. Andrew the Apostle, he brought word to Jesus that certain
Greeks had asked to see him (John 12:21–22). In John 14:8–9, Philip asked Jesus to reveal the
Father, receiving the answer, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me,
Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.”
Nothing more is known about him from the New Testament. In later legends he was often
confused with St. Philip the Evangelist (Philip the Deacon), one of the seven deacons of the early
church (Acts 6:5). His apostolate was supposedly in the territory of Scythia, an ancient Eurasian
area. He died of natural causes according to one tradition but, according to another, of
crucifixion, accounting for his other medieval symbol of a tall cross. The Acts of Philip are
apocryphal and probably date from the 3rd/4th century.

*Saint Bartholomew, (flourished 1st century ad—died unknown date, traditionally Albanopolis,
Armenia; Western feast day August 24; date varies in Eastern churches), one of the Twelve
Apostles.

Apart from the mentions of him in four of the Apostle lists (Mark 3:18, Matt. 10:3, Luke 6:14,
and Acts 1:13), nothing is known about him from the New Testament. Bartholomew is a family
name meaning “son of [Hebrew: bar] Tolmai, or Talmai,” so he may have had another personal
name. For that reason and because he was always associated with St. Philip the Apostle in the
Gospel lists, a 9th-century tradition identified him with Nathanael, who, according to John 1:43–
51, was called with Philip by Jesus. Upon seeing Nathanael, Jesus said, “Behold, an Israelite
indeed, in whom is no guile!” This identification sought to explain how the otherwise unknown
Bartholomew could be mentioned in the Apostle lists, while Nathanael, whose call is explicitly
described by John, does not figure in them. His full name would then be Nathanael bar Tolmai.

The 4th-century Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea in his Ecclesiastical History relates that, when the
2nd-century teacher St. Pantaenus of Alexandria made a visit to India, he found a Hebrew copy
of The Gospel According to Matthew, which had been left behind there by Bartholomew.
Traditionally, Bartholomew also served as a missionary to Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia (in
modern Iran), Lycaonia (in modern Turkey), and Armenia. The apostle is said to have been
martyred by flaying and beheading at the command of the Armenian king Astyages. His relics
were supposedly taken to the Church of St. Bartholomew-in-the-Tiber, Rome

*Matthew According to the Bible, Saint Matthew was one of Jesus's 12 apostles and the first author of
the New Testament.

Synopsis

Born in Palestine sometime in the 1st century, Saint Matthew was one of Jesus's 12 apostles and
also one of the four Evangelists, according to the Bible. Matthew authored the first Gospel of the
Bible's New Testament, now known as the Gospel of Matthew. Prior to preaching the word of
God, he worked as a tax collector in Capernaum. Matthew is the patron saint of tax collectors
and accountants. The Feast of St. Matthew is annually celebrated on September 21.

*St. Thomas, (born, probably Galilee—died 53 ce, Madras, India; Western feast day December
21, feast day in Roman and Syrian Catholic churches July 3, in the Greek church October 6), one
of the Twelve Apostles. His name in Aramaic (Teʾoma) and Greek (Didymos) means “twin”;
John 11:16 identifies him as “Thomas, called the Twin.” He is called Judas Thomas (i.e., Judas
the Twin) by the Syrians.

Thomas’s character is outlined in The Gospel According to John. His devotion to Jesus is clearly
expressed in John 11:5–16: when Jesus planned to return to Judaea, the disciples warned him of
the Jews’ animosity (“now seeking to stone you”), to which Thomas soon replied, “Let us also
go, that we may die with him.” At the Last Supper (John 14:1–7) Thomas could not comprehend
what Jesus meant when he said, “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am
you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas’s question “How can we
know the way?” caused Jesus to answer, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

Perhaps the best-known event in his life is the one from which the phrase “doubting Thomas”
developed. In John 20:19–29 he was not among those disciples to whom the risen Christ first
appeared, and, when they told the incredulous Thomas, he requested physical proof of the
Resurrection, fulfilled when Christ reappeared and specifically asked Thomas to touch his
wounds. His sudden realization of truth (“My Lord and my God”) made Thomas the first person
to explicitly acknowledge Jesus’ divinity.

Thomas’s subsequent history is uncertain. According to the 4th-century Ecclesiastical History of

Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, he evangelized Parthia (modern Khorāsān). Later Christian
tradition says Thomas extended his apostolate into India, where he is recognized as the founder
of the Church of the Syrian Malabar Christians, or Christians of St. Thomas. In the apocryphal
Acts of Thomas, originally composed in Syriac, he allegedly visited the court of the Indo-
Parthian king Gondophernes, who put him in charge of building a royal palace (he was
reportedly a carpenter); he was imprisoned for spending on charity the money entrusted to him.
The work records his martyrdom as having occurred under the king of Mylapore at Madras (now
Chennai), where San Thomé Cathedral, his traditional burial place, is located. His relics,
however, supposedly were taken to the West and finally enshrined at Ortona, Italy.

In addition to the apocryphal works, other similar writings related or accredited to Thomas are
the Gospel of Thomas (among the Coptic gnostic papyri found in 1945 in Upper Egypt), The
Book of Thomas the Athlete, and Evangelium Joannis de obitu Mariae (“The Message of John
Concerning the Death of Mary”).

*St. James the Less, also called James, son of Alphaeus, or James the Younger, (flourished
1st century ce, Western feast day May 3; Eastern feast day October 9), one of the Twelve
Apostles of Jesus.

James may be he whose mother, Mary (not the mother of Jesus), is mentioned among the women
at Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb (Mark 15:40, 16:1; Matthew 27:56). He is not to be confused with
the apostle St. James the Greater, son of Zebedee, or St. James, the Lord’s brother, who was not
one of the Twelve. Depending upon the Bible consulted, he is probably the father (Revised
Standard and New English) or brother (Authorized and Douay) of the apostle St. Jude (Judas, not
Iscariot). Nothing further is known of him, and a late legend of his martyrdom in Persia is
spurious.
In the Western church, his identity with St. James, the Lord’s brother, was originally assumed in
the feast of Saints Philip and James on May 1, the date of the dedication of the Church of the
Holy Apostles in Rome, where supposed relics of these saints were brought about 560.

*Saint Simon the Apostle, also called Simon the Zealot, (flourished 1st century ad—died,
Persia or Edessa, Greece?; Western feast day October 28, Eastern feast day June 19), one of the
Twelve Apostles. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, he bears the epithet Kananaios, or the
Cananaean, often wrongly interpreted to mean “from Cana” or “from Canaan.” Kananaios is the
Greek transliteration of an Aramaic word, qanʾ anaya, meaning “the Zealot,” the title given him
by Luke in his Gospel and in Acts. It is uncertain whether he was one of the group of Zealots, the
Jewish nationalistic party before ad 70. Apparently the titles may have been an attempt to
distinguish him from the apostle St. Simon Peter.

Nothing further is known about him from the New Testament. He supposedly preached the
Gospel in Egypt and then joined the apostle St. Judas (Thaddaeus) in Persia, where, according to
the apocryphal Acts of Simon and Judas, he was martyred by being cut in half with a saw, one of
his chief iconographic symbols (another being a book). According to St. Basil the Great, the 4th-
century Cappadocian Father, Simon died peacefully at Edessa.

*St. Jude, also called Judas, Thaddaeus, or Lebbaeus, (flourished 1st century ce, Western
feast day October 28, Eastern feast days June 19 and August 21), one of the original Twelve
Apostles of Jesus. He is the reputed author of the canonical Letter of Jude that warns against the
licentious and blasphemous heretics. The devotion to him as patron saint of desperate causes
began in France and Germany in the late 18th century.

St. Jude is distinguished in John 14:22 as Judas but “not Iscariot” to avoid identification with the
betrayer of Jesus, Judas Iscariot. Indeed, the tradition of calling him “Jude” rather than the
Scriptural “Judas” likely started to avoid such confusion. He is listed in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13
as “Judas of James,” and, depending on the Bible consulted, he is probably the son (Revised
Standard and New English) or brother (Authorized and Douay) of St. James the Less, son of
Alphaeus. Jude is more probably identified with Thaddaeus (Lebbaeus) in Mark 3:18 and
Matthew 10:3 and less probably with Jesus’ “brother” Judas (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55).

According to John 14:22–23, Jude, after Jesus completed the Last Supper and announced his
manifestation to his disciples, asks, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to
the world?” After Jesus’ Ascension, Jude’s history is unknown. Like St. Simon the Apostle, he
seems to have come from the Zealots, the Jewish nationalistic party prior to 70 ce. Legends first
appearing in the 4th century credit Simon and Jude with missionary work and martyrdom in
Persia (noted in the apocryphal Passion of Simon and Jude). Thus, since the 8th century, the
Western church has commemorated them together on October 28.
*Judas Iscariot, (died c. ad 30), one of the Twelve Apostles, notorious for betraying Jesus.
Judas’ surname is more probably a corruption of the Latin sicarius (“murderer” or “assassin”)
than an indication of family origin, suggesting that he would have belonged to the Sicarii, the
most radical Jewish group, some of whom were terrorists. Other than his apostleship, his
betrayal, and his death, little else is revealed about Judas in the Gospels. Always the last on the
list of the Apostles, he was their treasurer. John 12:6 introduces Judas’ thievery by saying, “. . .
as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it.”

He disclosed Jesus’ whereabouts to the chief priests and elders for 30 pieces of silver. They
provided the armed guard that he brought to the Garden of Gethsemane, near Jerusalem, where
Jesus went to pray with the other 11 Apostles after the Last Supper. There he identified Jesus
with a kiss, addressing him as “master.” Matt. 26:14–16 and John 12:6 designate Judas’ motive
as avarice, but Luke 22:3–6 ascribes his action to the entrance of Satan into his body, paralleling
John 13:27, where, after Judas took the bread at the Last Supper, “Satan entered into him.” Jesus
then says, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” This is the culmination of John 6:70–71,
which, after Jesus says, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve, and one of you is a devil?” discloses
that he meant “Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was to betray him.”

There are variant traditions about Judas’ death. According to Matt. 27:3–10, he repented after
seeing Jesus condemned to death, then returned the silver and hanged himself (traditionally from
the Judas tree). In Acts 1:18, he “bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling
headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out,” implying that he threw
himself down, rather than that he died accidentally. Apocryphal gospels developed the point in
Acts that calls the spot of his death the place (field) of blood. The 1st/2nd-century Apostolic
Father Papias is quoted to have given macabre details about Judas’ death, presumably to show
that Gospel prophecies were literally fulfilled. His account appears in numerous legends,
particularly in Coptic works, and in medieval literature. In Dante’s Inferno Judas appears in the
deepest chasm of hell with Julius Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius.

Although his name subsequently became associated with traitor (a Judas) and treacherous kiss (a
Judas kiss), not all depictions of Judas portrayed him as betraying Jesus. In Muslim polemic
literature, Judas ceases to be a traitor; instead, he supposedly lied to the Jews in order to defend
Jesus (who was not crucified). The 14th-century cosmographer al-Dimashqī maintains that Judas
assumed Jesus’ likeness and was crucified in his place. The 2nd-century apocryphal Gospel of
Judas, a Gnostic text written in Greek, depicts him as a collaborator and close confidant of Jesus.
According to the gospel—a Coptic translation from c. 300 was discovered in the 1970s and
published in 2006—Judas was the only apostle who understood Jesus’ message. In the account
of the gospel, during the celebration of Passover, Jesus takes Judas aside and reveals secret
knowledge about God and creation to him, declaring that Judas is greater than the other apostles.
Jesus seems to instruct Judas to report him to the authorities, so that Jesus’ spiritual self may
escape from the material body in which it is trapped. See also Gnosticism.
Julie R. Ugsod
BSA-2

1. Peter

Also known as Simon, Simon Peter, or Cephas (Rock), Peter was a gregarious, natural leader,
and an obvious spokesperson for the twelve. Peter’s name is mentioned far more in the New
Testament than any other of the disciples. He was the older of the two brothers and the only
married disciple. (Luke 4:38) His wife was known to travel with him when he was on mission. (1
Cor. 9:5) His assignment was to bring the Gospel to the circumcised. (Gal. 2:7)

Peter is well known for denying Christ three times after Christ was arrested. After his own arrest
many years later he requested to be crucified with his head down. He didn’t believe he was
worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. He died a martyr’s death in Rome during
the reign of Nero. Some speculate around the same time as Paul was being beheaded.

2. Andrew

An early disciple of John the Baptist, Andrew, and John, the Son of Zebedee were present when
John the Baptist said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35) Andrew was the first to follow
Jesus and his enthusiasm was evident as his desire to introduce his older brother to Jesus
revealed what was already in his heart—a deep love for God.

He was not a dominant person next to his outspoken brother. He was a passionate preacher and
shared the gospel boldly and was a significant contributor to the early church.

Andrew died a martyr’s death. He faced crucifixion with boldness and courage. He said, “Oh,
cross most welcome and longed for! With a willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to you,
being a scholar of Him which did hang on you, because I have always been your lover and yearn
to embrace you.”
3. James

James is the elder brother of John. He is a rather quiet part of the team of disciples in that we
don’t read much about him in Scripture. As part of Jesus’ “inner three” he was permitted to be
present along with Peter and John when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37),
he witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 17:1), and he was in the
Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. (Mark 14:33)

James was the first disciple to be martyred (he was beheaded) and the only disciple to have their
martyrdom recorded in Scripture. (Acts 12:1-3)

4. John

Known as the “disciple Jesus loved,” he was also a part of the inner three. (John 3:23) He wrote
a large portion of the New Testament—The book of John, 1, 2, and 3 John, and the book of
Revelation. He wrote more about love than any other New Testament author. His close proximity
to Jesus taught him much about love.

He was exiled to the island of Patmos under Domitian, but after his death, John was allowed to
return to Ephesus where he governed churches in Asia until his death at about A.D. 100.

5. Philip

“The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him,
Follow Me.” (John 1:43)

What do we know about Philip? Almost nothing. Although a Jew, we only know him by his
Greek name, Philip. A heart for evangelism, he was anxious to tell Nathanael the One foretold by
Moses and the prophets had been found. (John 1:45) They were close companions and possibly
studied the Old Testament together.

Philip was stoned and crucified in Hierapolis, Phrygia.

6. Nathanael

Also known as Bartholomew, Nathanael came from Cana in Galilee. (John 21:2) He expressed
some local prejudice about Nazareth. (John 1:46) Jesus recognized how sincerely his love for
God was from the beginning when He said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no
deceit!” (John 1:47)

Nathanael may have preached in India and translated the book of Matthew into their language.
He was beaten, crucified, and beheaded. He died as a martyr while serving the people of
Albinopolis, Armenia.
7. Matthew

Levi, the Son of Alphaeus, Matthew was a tax collector--the most despised people in all of
Israel. They were known for taking extra money from the people of Israel to pay off the Romans
and to pad their own pockets.

Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax
collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many
of them, and they were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisee’s saw that He was
eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, Why is he eating and
drinking with tax collectors and sinners? And hearing this, Jesus said to them, It is not those who
are healthy that need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners. (Mark 2:16)

Matthew brought the gospel to Ethiopia and Egypt. Hircanus the king had him killed with a
spear.

8. Thomas

Usually nicknamed “Doubting Thomas," Thomas was also called Didymus, meaning The Twin
(although a twin brother or sister is never mentioned in the Bible.) He was an outspoken skeptic
to the point of being known as a pessimist. No details are given about Thomas in the first three
Gospels other than the mention of his name. John’s first mention of Thomas is in John 11:16.
Lazarus had died and the disciples feared for the life of Jesus and themselves if they were to go
back to Bethany. Thomas speaks up. “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16
NASB) Here we see the character quality of courage and loyalty to Christ, a quality not often
attributed to Thomas.

His devotion to Christ is further displayed when Jesus told the disciples that He was going to go
away and prepare a place for them. “And you know the way where I am going. Thomas said to
Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” (John 14:4-5)
Thomas didn’t want to be left behind. And then Thomas’ love for Jesus and his desire to see and
touch before he believed and then his declaration, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28)

Tradition strongly suggests that Thomas started the Christian church in India. Some suggest
being run through by a spear killed him, ironically, similar to Jesus being pierced by a spear.

9. James the Less

He is the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15). His mother’s name is Mary (Mark 15:40) and he has a
brother named Joseph (Matthew 27:56). Except for a few details about his family, there is
nothing more mentioned about him in Scripture. Maybe this is why he is referred to as James the
Less in Mark 15:40. What is important to remember is although James was somewhat in the
background, he was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve disciples. He was trained and used
by Christ in a powerful way to further the Kingdom of God. He was a valuable team member.
Tradition says he was crucified in Sinai or possibly stoned to death in Jerusalem.

10. Simon the Zealot

Simon was probably a political activist in his younger years. Why would Jesus choose someone
with this background?

“It is amazing that Jesus would select a man like Simon to be an apostle. But he was a man of
fierce loyalties, amazing passion, courage, and zeal. Simon had believed the truth and embraced
Christ as his Lord. The fiery enthusiasm he once had for Israel was now expressed in his
devotion to Christ.” -Twelve Ordinary Men

There is some speculation about what happened to Simon. Tradition says that after preaching on
the west coast of Africa, Simon went to England where he ended up being crucified in 74 AD.

11. Judas, son of James

The eleventh name on the list of disciples is Judas. Also known as Jude, Thaddeus,
and Lebbaeus, Judas lived in obscurity as one of the Twelve. He did ask Jesus a question in John
14:22, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
Judas seemed overly concerned with this question. Christ responded by saying He would reveal
Himself to anyone who loved Him.

Most early tradition says that Judas, son of James, a few years after Pentecost, took the gospel
north to Edessa. There he healed the King of Edessa, Abgar. Eusebius the historian said the
archives at Edessa contained the visit of Judas and the healing of Abgar (the records have now
been destroyed). The traditional symbol of Judas is a club and tradition says he was clubbed to
death for his faith.

12. Judas Iscariot

Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?"
Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray
Him. (John 6:70-71)

The Traitor. Nothing is known about Judas’ background. His encounter and call by Jesus is not
recorded in Scripture. He was not from Galilee--that much is known. He obviously became a
follower and stayed with Jesus for three years. He gave Christ three years of his life, but he
certainly didn’t give Him his heart, and Jesus knew this. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of
silver. (Matthew 26:15)

“The other eleven apostles are all great encouragements to us because they exemplify how
common people with typical failings can be used by God in uncommon, remarkable ways. Judas,
on the other hand, stands as a warning about the evil potential of spiritual carelessness,
squandered opportunity, sinful lusts, and hardness of the heart. Here was a man who drew as
close to the Savior as it is humanly possible to be. He enjoyed every privilege Christ affords. He
was intimately familiar with everything Jesus taught. Yet he remained in unbelief and went into a
hopeless eternity.” Twelve Ordinary Men
Heaven Opens

The story continues in Matthew 3:16-17:

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was
opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice
from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"

This miraculous moment shows all three parts of the Christian Trinity (the three unified parts of
God) in action: God the Father (the voice speaking from heaven), Jesus the Son (the person
rising up out of the water), and the Holy Spirit (the dove). It demonstrates the loving union
between the three distinct aspects of God.

The dove symbolizes peace between God and human beings, going back to the time when Noah
sent a dove out of his ark to see if the water that God had used to flood the Earth (to destroy
sinful people) had receded. The dove brought back an olive leaf, showing Noah that dry land
suitable for life to flourish again had appeared on Earth. Ever since the dove brought back the
good news that God's wrath (expressed through the flood) was giving way to peace between him
and sinful humanity, the dove has been a symbol of peace. Here, the Holy Spirit appears as a
dove at Jesus' baptism to show that, through Jesus, God would pay the price that justice requires
for sin so humanity could enjoy ultimate peace with God.

He seems to have been a fisherman by trade, along with his younger brother, Simon (later renamed
Peter).

How did the 12 disciples die?

1. Andrew = Crucified on an X-shaped cross

2. Bartholomew or Nathanael = Flayed alive with knives
3. James the elder = First apostle martyred
4. James the lesser = Sawn in pieces
 5. John = Died of natural causes on the isle of Patmos
6. Judas Iscariot = Hung himself
7. Jude or Thaddeus = Killed with arrows
8. Matthew or Levi = Martyred in Ethiopia
9. Peter = Crucified upside-down on a cross
10. Philip = Died by hanging
11. Simon the Zealot = Died a martyrs death
12. Thomas = Killed with a spear

Jesus called 12 disciples to serve as his closest helpers and companions. John 1:37-49 relates the calling
of Andrew, Peter, James, John, Philip and Nathaniel. Matthew threw a party after he joined the group.
Philip brought Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew. Thomas, a twin; James, cousin to Jesus; Simon,
the zealot; Thaddaeus and Judas round out the original 12.

Fishermen

Andrew, Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, worked as fishermen. Matthew 4:18-22
relates that Andrew and Peter were fishing, plying their trade when called, and James and John
were mending nets with their father. The Bible states that these two men weren’t just fishermen,
but business owners, along with their father, for they employed others in the business. Thomas,
Nathaniel and Philip may have also worked as fishermen, for they were all together and fishing
when Jesus appeared to them in John 21:2-8, following his resurrection.

Tax Collector

Matthew, called Levi in Luke, worked as a tax collector for the Roman government. He would
have acquired some education and reputation to achieve this job. His job provided him with
considerable wealth, because tax collectors earned a portion of what they collected, as noted in
the story of Zacchaeus, another famous tax collector who followed Jesus. Matthew invited Jesus
home and threw a party that included many of his sinful friends. Matthew’s wealth may have
helped fund Jesus' ministry.

A Zealot

Simon was known as the Zealot, not strictly a profession, and as a Canaanite. Zealots engaged in
politics and anarchy, attempting to overthrow the Roman government. He may have been a
politician or a revolutionary. When he joined Jesus, he remained zealous, but with allegiance to
Jesus rather than political revolution.

A Thief

Judas served as the treasurer in Jesus' band, and John 12:4-6 identifies him as a thief and an
embezzler. The Bible doesn’t tell us what he did prior to becoming an apostle. Each of the
Gospels identify him as the one who betrayed Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 27:3-10) notes
that Judas suffered remorse over his betrayal and hung himself after he tried to give the money
back to the high priests. They used the 30 pieces of silver to buy a burial site for the poor.

The Other Apostles

The Bible provides no information on the professions of Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas,

Thaddaeus or James, the son of Alphaeus. It does provide information about Paul, who became
an apostle after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He was a Pharisee and may have taught
religion or worked in political office. During his missionary journeys, Paul supported himself as
a tent maker according to Acts 18:1-3.