| Peter (Simon Peter) | “Rock.” Fisherman from Bethsaida; brother of Andrew. | Leader of the apostles; preached at Pentecost; missionary to Jews. | Crucified upside down in Rome under Nero (c. AD 64–68). | John 21:18–19 foretold his death; buried near Vatican Hill. |
| Andrew | “Manly.” Brother of Peter; former disciple of John the Baptist. | Preached in Scythia, Greece, and Asia Minor. | Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. | Matthew 4:18; tradition says he greeted the cross joyfully. |
| James (son of Zebedee) | “Supplanter.” Brother of John; one of the “Sons of Thunder.” | Ministered in Jerusalem; possibly Spain. | Beheaded by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1–2). | First apostle martyred (c. AD 44). |
| John (son of Zebedee) | “God is gracious.” Brother of James; “the disciple Jesus loved.” | Evangelized Asia Minor; wrote Gospel, Epistles, Revelation. | Died of old age in Ephesus (only apostle not martyred). | Exiled on Patmos (Revelation 1:9). |
| Philip | “Lover of horses.” From Bethsaida. | Preached in Phrygia (modern Turkey). | Crucified or stoned in Hierapolis. | John 6:5–7; Acts 8:26–40 shows evangelistic zeal. |
| Bartholomew (Nathanael) | “Son of Tolmai.” From Cana in Galilee. | Preached in Armenia, India, and Arabia. | Flayed alive and beheaded in Albanopolis (Armenia). | John 1:45–49; known for honest faith. |
| Matthew (Levi) | “Gift of Yahweh.” Tax collector turned evangelist. | Missionary to Ethiopia and Persia; wrote the Gospel of Matthew. | Martyred by sword or spear in Ethiopia (tradition). | Matthew 9:9; left wealth to follow Christ. |
| Thomas (Didymus) | “Twin.” Known for doubting, then confessing “My Lord and my God.” | Preached in Parthia and India. | Speared to death near Chennai, India. | John 20:24–29; churches in India trace roots to him. |
| James (son of Alphaeus) | Sometimes called “James the Less.” | Ministered in Jerusalem and Egypt. | Thrown from temple pinnacle and beaten to death. | Mentioned in Matthew 10:3; likely wrote James. |
| Thaddaeus (Judas son of James, “Lebbaeus”) | “Heart” or “courageous.” | Preached in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia. | Martyred by arrows or axe in Persia. | John 14:22 records him asking Jesus about revealing Himself. |
| Simon the Zealot | “Zealous one.” Possibly former nationalist revolutionary. | Evangelized Egypt, Persia, and Syria. | Martyred by crucifixion or sawed in half. | Listed in Luke 6:15; zeal redirected for Christ’s cause. |
| Matthias | Chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. | Preached in Cappadocia and near the Caspian Sea. | Stoned and beheaded in Jerusalem or Ethiopia. | Acts 1:23–26 records his selection. |
| Judas Iscariot | “Man from Kerioth.” Betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins. | No ministry after betrayal. | Committed suicide (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18). | Fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12–13). |
| Paul (Saul of Tarsus) | “Small / humble.” Former Pharisee and persecutor. | Missionary to Gentiles; wrote 13 NT epistles. | Beheaded in Rome under Nero (c. AD 64–67). | Acts 9–28; 2 Timothy 4:6–8 expresses readiness for death. |
