The 12 Disciples

Simon Called Peter by Christ

Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, no doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was. 

-Also called SIMON BAR-JONA and CEPHAS
Mt 16:16-19; Mr 3:16; Joh 1:42
-A fisherman
Mt 4:18; Lu 5:1-7; Joh 21:3
-Call of
Mt 4:18-20; Mr 1:16-18; Lu 5:1-11
-His mother-in-law healed
Mt 8:14; Mr 1:29-30; Lu 4:38
-An apostle
Mt 10:2; 16:18-19; Mr 3:16; Lu 6:14; Ac 1:13
 -An evangelist 
Mr 1:36-37
 -Confesses Jesus to be the Messiah 
Mt 16:16-19; Mr 8:29; Lu 9:20; Joh 6:68-69
 -His presumption 
•In rebuking Jesus 
Mt 16:22-23; Mr 8:32-33
•When the throng was pressing Jesus and the woman with the blood disorder touched him 
Lu 8:45
•In refusing to let Jesus wash Peter's feet 
Joh 13:6-11

-Present
•At the healing of Jairus' daughter
Mr 5:37; Lu 8:51
•At the transfiguration
Mt 17:1-4; Mr 9:2-6; Lu 9:28-33; 2Pe 1:16-18
•In the garden of Gethsemane
Mt 26:36-46; Mr 14:33-42; Lu 22:40-46
-Seeks the interpretation -Of the parable of the steward
Lu 12:41
-Of the law of forgiveness
Mt 18:21
-Of the law of defilement
Mt 15:15
-Of the prophecy of Jesus concerning his second coming
Mr 13:3-4
-Walks upon the water of Lake Galilee
Mt 14:28-31
-Sent with John to prepare the Passover meal
Lu 22:8
-Calls attention to the withered fig tree
Mr 11:21
-His treachery foretold by Jesus, and his profession of fidelity
Mt 26:33-35; Mr 14:29-31; Lu 22:31-34; Joh 13:36-38
-Cuts off the ear of Malchus
Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:50
-Follows Jesus to the high priest's palace
Mt 26:58; Mr 14:54; Lu 22:54; Joh 18:15
-His denial of Jesus, and his repentance
Mt 26:69-75; Mr 14:66-72; Lu 22:55-62; Joh 18:17-18,25-27
-Visits the grave site of Jesus
Lu 24:12; Joh 20:2-6
-Jesus sends message to, after the resurrection
Mr 16:7
-Jesus appears to
Lu 24:34; 1Co 15:4-5
-Present at Lake Tiberias when Jesus appeared to his disciples; jumps into the water, and comes to shore when Jesus is recognized; is commissioned to feed the flock of Christ
Joh 21:1-23
-Lives in Jerusalem
Ac 1:13
-His statement in front of the disciples concerning the death of Judas, and his recommendation that the vacancy in the apostleship be filled
Ac 1:15-22
-Preaches on Pentecost day
Ac 2:14-40
-Heals the immobile man in the portico of the temple
Ac 3:1-26
-Accused by the council; his defense
Ac 4:1-23
-Foretells the death of Ananias and Sapphira
Ac 5:1-11
-Imprisoned and scourged; his defense before the council
Ac 5:17-42
-Goes to Samaria
Ac 8:14
-Prays for the reception of the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit
Ac 8:15-18
-Rebukes Simon, the sorcerer, who desires to purchase this power
Ac 8:18-24
-Returns to Jerusalem
Ac 8:25
-Receives Paul
Ga 1:18; 2:9
-Visits Lydda; heals Aeneas
Ac 9:32-34
-Visits Joppa; stays with Simon, the tanner; raises Dorcas from the dead
Ac 9:36-43
-Has a vision of a sheet containing ceremonially clean and unclean animals
Ac 10:9-16
-Receives the servant of the centurion; goes to Caesarea; preaches and immerses the  centurion and his household
Ac 10:1-48
-Advocates the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles in the hearing of the apostles and elders
Ac 11:1-18; 15:7-11
-Imprisoned and delivered by an angel
Ac 12:3-19
-Writes two epistles
1Pe 1:1; 2Pe 1:1


James the son of Zebedee

The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apsotles' Acts, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, and a relative of our Lord; for his mother Salome was cousin-german to the Virgin Mary. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to ingratiate himself with them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. Timon and Parmenas suffered martyrdom about the same time; the one at Philippi, and the other in Macedonia. These events took place A.D. 44.

-1. An apostle. Son of Zebedee and Salome
Mt 4:21; 27:56; Mr 15:40; 16:1
•Brother of John and a fisherman
Lu 5:10
•Called to be an apostle
Mt 4:21-22; 10:2; Mr 1:19-20; Lu 6:14; Ac 1:13
•Surnamed Boanerges by Jesus
Mr 3:17
-(An intimate companion of Jesus, and present with him)
•At the great catch of fish
Lu 5:10
•At the healing of Peter's mother-in-law
Mr 1:29
•At the raising of the daughter of Jairus
Mr 5:37; Lu 8:51
•At the transfiguration of Jesus
Mt 17:1; Mr 9:2; Lu 9:28
•In Gethsemane
Mt 26:37; Mr 14:33
•Asks Jesus concerning his second coming
Mr 13:3
•Bigotry of
Lu 9:54
•Civil ambitions of
Mt 20:20-23; Mr 10:35-41
•Present at Lake Tiberias when Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after his resurrection
Joh 21:2; 1Co 15:7
•Martyred
Ac 12:2
-2. An apostle
•Son of Alphaeus
Mt 10:3; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:15; Ac 1:13; 12:17
•Brother of Jesus
Mt 13:55; 27:56; Mr 6:3; Lu 24:10; Ga 1:19; 2:9,12
•The brother of Judas
Lu 6:16; Jude 1:1
•The brother of Joses
Mr 15:40
•Witness of Christ's resurrection
1Co 15:7
•Addresses the gathering at Jerusalem in favor of liberty for the Gentile converts
Ac 15:13-21
•Disciples sent by, to Antioch
Ga 2:12
•Hears of the success attending Paul's ministry
Ac 21:18-19
•Epistle of
Jas 1:1
-3. Brother of Jesus
Mt 13:55; Mr 6:3; Ga 1:19


John

The "beloved disciple," was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.

John The Apostle
•Intimately associated with Jesus
Joh 13:23-26; 21:20
•Is present when Jesus performs the following miracles
•The healing of Peter's mother-in-law
Mt 8:14-15; Mr 1:30-31; Lu 4:38-39
•The raising of the daughter of Jairus
Mr 5:37; Lu 8:51
•The two catches of fish
Lu 5:10; Joh 21:1-7
•The transfiguration
Mt 17:1; Mr 9:2; Lu 9:28
•Is present with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane
Mt 26:37; Mr 14:33; Lu 22:39
•Intolerance of
Mr 9:38; Lu 9:49-50,54-56
•Civil ambitions of
Mt 20:20-24; Mr 10:35-41
•Prepares the Passover meal
Mt 26:18-19; Mr 14:13-16; Lu 22:8-13
•Present at the trial of Jesus which took place in front of the high priest
Joh 18:15-16
•Present at the crucifixion
Joh 19:26-27
•Present at the grave site of Jesus
Joh 20:2-8
•Present when Jesus revealed himself at the Lake Galilee
Joh 21:1-25
•Present with Peter in the temple courtyard
Ac 3:1-11
•Lives in Jerusalem
Ac 1:13
•Is entrusted with the care of Mary, mother of Jesus
Joh 19:26
•Imprisoned by the rulers of the Jews
Ac 4:1-19
•Sent by the Jerusalem congregation with the commission to Samaria
Ac 8:14-17
•A pillar of the ekklesia (body of Christ)
Ga 2:9
•Writes to the congregations
1Jo 1:1-10 2Jo; 3Jo; Jude
•Writes his apocalyptic vision from Patmos Island
Re 1:9
•Prophecy concerning
Re 10:11
-3. A relative of Annas the high priest
Ac 4:6


Andrew

Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's Cross.

-An apostle. A fisherman
Mt 4:18
-Of Bethsaida
Joh 1:44
-A disciple of John
Joh 1:40
-Finds Peter, his brother, and brings him to Jesus
Joh 1:40-42
-Call of
Mt 4:19; Mr 1:16
-His name appears in the list of the apostles in
Mt 10:2; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:14
-Asks the Master privately about the destruction of the temple
Mr 13:3-4
-Tells Jesus of the Greeks who sought to see him
Joh 12:20-22
-Reports the number of loaves at the feeding of the five thousand
Joh 6:8
-Meets with the disciples after the Lord's ascension
Ac 1:13


Philip

Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple." He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.

-1. The brother of Herod Antipas and the husband of Herodias
Mt 14:3; Mr 6:17; Lu 3:19
-2. Tetrarch of Iturea
Lu 3:1
-3. One of the seven servants (Greek: diakonos)
Ac 6:5
•Successfully preaches in Samaria
Ac 8:4-14
•Expounds the Scriptures to the Ethiopian eunuch whom he immerses
Ac 8:27-38
•Caught away by the Spirit to Azotus, preaches in the cities, and goes to Caesarea
Ac 8:39-40
•Lives at Caesarea, and entertains Paul
Ac 21:8
•Has four daughters (prophetesses)
Ac 21:9-10
-4. One of the twelve apostles
Mt 10:3; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:14; Ac 1:13
•Call of
Joh 1:43
•Brings Nathanael to Jesus
Joh 1:45-50
•Assists in caring for the multitude whom Jesus miraculously feeds
Joh 6:5-7
•Brings certain Greeks to Jesus who desire to see him
Joh 12:20-22
•Asks Jesus to show the Father
Joh 14:8-13


Bartholomew

Preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

  Mt 10:3, Mr 3:18, Lu 6:14, Joh 1:48, Joh 21:2, Ac 1:13


Matthew

Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.

-Also called LEVI -(A receiver of customs (taxes for the Romans)) -Becomes a disciple of Jesus
Mt 9:9-10; 10:3; Mr 2:14-15; 3:18; Lu 5:27-29; 6:15; Ac 1:13


Thomas

Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.

-Called DIDYMUS -One of the twelve apostles
Mt 10:3; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:15
-Present at the raising of Lazarus
Joh 11:16
-Asks Jesus the way to the Father's house
Joh 14:5
-Absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after the resurrection
Joh 20:24
-Skepticism of
Joh 20:25
-Sees Jesus after the resurrection
Joh 20:26-29; 21:1-2
-Lives with the other apostles in Jerusalem
Ac 1:13-14
-Loyalty of, to Jesus
Joh 11:16; 20:28


James Alpheus

Is supposed by some to have been the brother of our Lord, by a former wife of Joseph. This is very doubtful, and accords too much with the Catholic superstition, that Mary never had any other children except our Savior. He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the author of the Epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club.

  Mt 10:3, Mr 3:18, Lu 6:15, Ac 1:13, Ac 21:18, 1Co 15:7, Ga 1:19, Ga 2:9


Simon the Canaanite

Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, A.D. 74.

One of the twelve apostles; a revolutionary and a patriot
•Called "THE CANAANITE," (from the Hebrew root meaning "religious zeal"
Mt 10:4; Mr 3:18
•Called "ZELOTES,"
Lu 6:15; Ac 1:13
A physical half-brother of Jesus
Mt 13:55; Mr 6:3
A leper
•Jesus dines with
Mt 26:6; Mr 14:3
A man from the city of Cyrene
•Compelled to carry Jesus' cross
Mt 27:32; Mr 15:21; Lu 23:26
A Pharisee
•Jesus dines with
Lu 7:36-44
The father of Judas Iscariot
Joh 6:71; 12:4; 13:2,26
A sorcerer (also called Simon Magus)
•Converted by Philip
•Rebuked by Peter
Ac 8:9-13,18-24
A tanner
•Peter lodges with
Ac 9:43; 10:6,17,32


Jude (Thaddeus)

The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72.
(or Thaddeus, an apostle) Jude 1-25
Mt 10:3, Mr 3:18



Judas Iscariot

Shortly after the death of Christ Judas killed himself. According to the Bible he hanged himself, (Mt 27:5) at Aceldama, on the southern slope of the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, and in the act he fell down a precipice and was dashed into pieces.

Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus
 
General References to
Mt 10:4, Mt 26:14, Joh 6:70, Joh 12:4, Joh 13:26, Joh 13:30, Mr 14:43, Mt 27:3, Ac 1:16, Ps 109:8, Zec 11:12
 
Characteristics of

 Avariciousness
Mt 26:14, Mt 26:15
Hypocrisy
Joh 12:5, Joh 12:6
Treachery
Mr 14:10, Lu 22:47, Lu 22:48
 Dishonesty
Joh 12:6
 Remorse
Mt 27:3, Mt 27:4, Ac 1:18




From Foxes Book of Martyrs

Nave's Topical Bible
By Orville J. Nave, M.A., D.D., published first in the early 1900s. Public domain.