The Twelve Apostles
What each disciple is known for, and what happened to them after Jesus.
Where They Took the Gospel
Tap a name to see where their journey led.
Tap a name to read their story
The Twelve Apostles (and Paul)
Peter
Known for
The bold fisherman who became the Church's first leader.
How he died
Tradition holds he was crucified upside-down, by his own request — he felt unworthy to die the same way as Jesus.
The "rock" Jesus said He would build His Church on (Matthew 16:18).
Andrew
Known for
Peter's brother, and the first disciple Jesus called.
How he died
Tradition holds he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, preaching to the crowd the entire time.
Known ever since for bringing others to Jesus, starting with his own brother.
James (son of Zebedee)
Known for
One of Jesus' inner circle, alongside Peter and John.
How he died
Beheaded on the order of King Herod Agrippa I — the first apostle martyred, recorded directly in Scripture.
His death is recorded directly in Acts 12:2.
John
Known for
The "disciple whom Jesus loved," closest to Him at the Last Supper and the cross.
How he died
Tradition holds he survived an assassination attempt and exile, then died of natural causes in old age — the only apostle not martyred.
Wrote a Gospel, three letters, and Revelation — more of the New Testament than anyone but Paul.
Philip
Known for
Brought Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Jesus.
How he died
Tradition holds he was crucified, sharing the fate of the Master he introduced others to.
A model of the simplest, most powerful invitation: "Come and see" (John 1:46).
Bartholomew (Nathanael)
Known for
Called by Jesus "a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit."
How he died
Tradition holds he was flayed and beheaded for preaching the gospel — one of the costliest traditional martyrdoms.
One of the most steadfast, least self-promoting apostles.
Thomas
Known for
Famous for doubting the resurrection until he saw Jesus' wounds himself.
How he died
Tradition holds he was speared to death after establishing churches far from home.
Went further than any other apostle — and his doubt turned into "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).
Matthew
Known for
A despised tax collector before Jesus called him.
How he died
Traditions vary — most hold he was martyred by the sword.
Wrote the Gospel that opens the New Testament, tracing Jesus back to Abraham and David.
James (son of Alphaeus)
Known for
Known as "James the Less" — one of the quieter, less-recorded apostles.
How he died
Tradition holds he was stoned, then clubbed to death.
A reminder that faithfulness matters more than fame — Scripture barely mentions him by name.
Thaddaeus (Jude)
Known for
Asked Jesus a question at the Last Supper recorded in John 14:22.
How he died
Tradition holds he was martyred, often said to be by club or axe.
Likely wrote the short New Testament letter of Jude, urging believers to "contend for the faith."
Simon the Zealot
Known for
Once part of a movement resisting Roman rule — before following the Prince of Peace instead.
How he died
Tradition holds he was martyred, some accounts say by being sawn in two.
Proof that Jesus transforms even zealots — turning political passion into gospel passion.
Judas Iscariot
Known for
The disciple who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
How he died
Overcome with remorse, he took his own life before Jesus was even crucified.
A sober warning: closeness to Jesus is not the same as faith in Him (Matthew 27:3-5).
Paul (Saul of Tarsus)
Known for
Once a violent persecutor of Christians, transformed by meeting the risen Jesus.
How he died
Tradition holds he was beheaded, a Roman citizen's more "merciful" execution.
Wrote roughly half of the New Testament and carried the gospel across the Roman Empire.
Women Who Followed Jesus
Mary Magdalene
Known for
Delivered from seven demons (Luke 8:2), she became one of Jesus' most devoted followers and helped fund His ministry.
How he died
Tradition holds she spent her later years in ministry — Eastern tradition places her in Ephesus, Western tradition in Provence, France — and died in old age, not as a martyr.
The first person to see the risen Jesus and the first to announce it — sometimes called "the apostle to the apostles."
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Known for
The mother of Jesus, who said yes to God's call and stood at the foot of the cross to the end.
How he died
Tradition holds she was cared for by the apostle John and lived out her days in peace, most traditions placing her final years in Ephesus or Jerusalem.
Her words, "Let it be to me according to your word," remain a model of faith and surrender.
Martha of Bethany
Known for
Sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany; served Jesus in her home and confessed, "You are the Christ, the Son of God" (John 11:27).
How he died
Tradition (especially in later French legend) holds she carried the gospel to Provence and died there in peace.
Proof that practical service and deep faith aren't opposites — she offered both.
Mary of Bethany
Known for
Sister of Martha and Lazarus; sat at Jesus' feet to learn, and anointed Him with costly perfume before His death.
How he died
Tradition varies; often linked to the same Provence tradition as her sister Martha.
Jesus said what she did would be told "wherever the gospel is preached" (Mark 14:9).
Joanna
Known for
Wife of Herod's household manager, Chuza — one of the women who financially supported Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:3) and among the first to find the empty tomb.
How he died
Not recorded in Scripture or reliable tradition.
Proof the gospel reached even into the household of the very ruler who opposed Jesus.
Susanna
Known for
One of the women named in Luke 8:1-3 who supported Jesus' ministry from her own means.
How he died
Not recorded in Scripture or reliable tradition.
A reminder that quiet, generous giving is itself a form of following Jesus.
Salome
Known for
Mother of the apostles James and John, and one of the women who watched the crucifixion and came to anoint Jesus' body.
How he died
Not recorded in Scripture; later tradition places her among the women who continued in ministry after the resurrection.
Present at both the cross and the empty tomb — one of the first to learn Jesus had risen.
Only a couple of these deaths are recorded directly in Scripture — the rest come from early church tradition, noted where it applies.