Articles

The 12 disciples

Grace

The 12 disciples, also known as the 12 apostles, were the close followers of Jesus Christ, chosen by Him to spread His teachings and carry out His mission. They played a foundational role in the early Christian Church, learning directly from Jesus and witnessing His life, death, and resurrection. The names of the 12 disciples are listed in several places in the New Testament, such as in the Gospels of Matthew (10:1-4), Mark (3:13-19), Luke (6:12-16), and Acts (1:13).

The 12 Disciples of Jesus

  1. Simon Peter (Peter)
    • Also known simply as Peter, he was a fisherman by trade and one of the first disciples called by Jesus. Originally named Simon, Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “rock,” and he became a leader among the disciples. Peter is often remembered for his boldness, his declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, and his denial of Jesus three times before the crucifixion, followed by his repentance and restoration. He played a key role in the early church, as seen in the Book of Acts.
  2. Andrew
    • Andrew was the brother of Peter and also a fisherman. He was initially a disciple of John the Baptist and was among the first to follow Jesus. Andrew is known for bringing his brother Peter to Jesus and for his missionary work after Jesus’ resurrection. He is often associated with having a humble, service-oriented spirit.
  3. James (son of Zebedee)
    • Often referred to as James the Greater to distinguish him from the other James, he was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John. James and John were called the “Sons of Thunder” (Boanerges) because of their zealous personalities. James was part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and John. He was the first of the apostles to be martyred, executed by King Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD (Acts 12:1-2).
  4. John (son of Zebedee)
    • John, the brother of James, was also one of the “Sons of Thunder” and part of Jesus’ inner circle. He is often referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. John was the only disciple believed to have died of natural causes, living to an old age and caring for Jesus’ mother, Mary, after Jesus’ crucifixion.
  5. Philip
    • Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Peter and Andrew. He was called directly by Jesus and quickly brought Nathanael (Bartholomew) to meet Him. Philip is known for his practical and questioning nature, such as when he asked Jesus to show them the Father (John 14:8-9). He played a key role in spreading the gospel in Asia Minor after Jesus’ ascension.
  6. Bartholomew (Nathanael)
    • Also known as Nathanael, he was introduced to Jesus by Philip. Bartholomew is noted for his initial skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth but quickly recognized Jesus as the “Son of God” and “King of Israel” (John 1:49). He is believed to have preached the gospel in India and Armenia, where he was reportedly martyred.
  7. Matthew (Levi)
    • Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before following Jesus. His profession made him despised by many Jews, but Jesus called him to be one of His disciples, demonstrating Jesus’ acceptance of sinners and outcasts. Matthew is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Matthew, which was aimed primarily at a Jewish audience and emphasizes Jesus as the promised Messiah.
  8. Thomas (Didymus)
    • Often referred to as “Doubting Thomas,” he is best known for initially doubting Jesus’ resurrection until he could see and touch Jesus’ wounds (John 20:24-29). However, after this encounter, Thomas made a profound declaration of faith, calling Jesus “My Lord and my God.” Tradition holds that Thomas took the gospel to India, where he was martyred.
  9. James (son of Alphaeus)
    • Known as James the Less or James the Younger to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee. Not much is known about him from the New Testament, but he is believed to have played a significant role in the early church.
  10. Thaddaeus (Jude, son of James)
    • Also known as Jude or Judas, son of James, he is sometimes referred to as Lebbaeus. Thaddaeus is credited with asking Jesus a question at the Last Supper: “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22). He is traditionally believed to have preached in Assyria and Persia and is considered the author of the Epistle of Jude.
  11. Simon the Zealot
    • Simon was known as Simon the Zealot to distinguish him from Simon Peter. The term “Zealot” suggests he may have been a member of a radical Jewish sect that sought to overthrow Roman rule. However, after becoming a disciple, Simon’s zeal was redirected toward spreading the gospel. Tradition states he preached in Persia and was martyred there.
  12. Judas Iscariot
    • Judas Iscariot is infamous for betraying Jesus to the religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver, which led to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. He was the group’s treasurer but was later revealed to be a thief (John 12:6). Overcome with guilt after his betrayal, Judas returned the silver and hanged himself. After his death, he was replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26).

Conclusion

The 12 disciples were ordinary men chosen by Jesus to carry out an extraordinary mission. They were from diverse backgrounds—fishermen, tax collectors, zealots—but were united by their faith in Jesus Christ and their commitment to spreading His message of love, redemption, and salvation. Through their lives and teachings, they laid the foundation of the Christian Church, and their stories continue to inspire believers today.