What Happened to Jesus’s Twelve Apostles?

In Christian theology, the twelve apostles, were the primary disciples of Jesus Christ. During his lifetime, these chosen twelve were his closest follows and became the main teachers of his message. After Christ’s death and ascension to heaven, the Apostles scattered the ancient world to continue preaching the gospel and spreading Christianity far and wide.

Peter’s missionary work in Rome, Thomas’ voyage to India, James the Greater’s preaching throughout northern Spain, were crucial to the rapid spread of Christianity. Their travels and martyrdom were unprecedented for the ancient world and the successful turned thousands of people thousands into believers. The apostles’ efforts to sow the seeds of faith can still be felt today.

Where did Jesus’ twelve apostles travel and where did they die?

The chosen twelve messengers of Christ went far and wide to spread his teachings. While Judas Iscariot’s betrayal and suicide reduced their numbers to eleven, the apostle Matthias was chosen by the original group to replace the infamous traitor.

Peter

Considered by the Catholic Church to be the first pope, Simon Peter cemented Christianity’s foundations in Rome. After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter first helped establish the church in Jerusalem, leading new followers and spreading the gospel to the Jews. He was also present for the Pentecost. Once the bedrock of the religion was firmly established in Jerusalem, he went to Samaria, Antioch, and Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

Finally, Peter settled down in Rome, where he was responsible for spreading the word of God in the heart of the empire along with the apostle Paul. This is where he would eventually be martyred, during emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians throughout the empire.

Peter was arrested as part of Nero’s oppression of Christians, and out of humility, he asked to be crucified upside down because he felt he was not worthy to be crucified in the same way as Christ. It is thought that his crucifixion took place on Vatican Hill, where St. Peter’s Basilica stands today.

Andrew

The apostle Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother and one of the first followers of Christ. He was also a disciple of John the Baptist. Andrew is known as the first disciple to be called by Jesus and played a significant role in spreading the gospel in the East. He preached the teachings of his master throughout modern-day Russia, Greece, and Asia Minor, alongside his brother.

Andrew’s work in across the Hellenistic world armed him the title of “Apostle to the Greeks.” The multiple miracles he performed played a significant role in the conversion of the region’s people. Andrew was martyred in Patras after being arrested by the Roman governor Aegeas for refusing to stop proselytizing or renounce his faith. Like his brother, he was crucified on an x-shaped cross as he too felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus.

James the Greater

The first of the apostles to be martyred, James is known for preaching the gospel in Spain. Following the resurrection of Christ, he helped Peter and the other apostles to establish Christianity in Jerusalem. Following his work with his fellow Jews, James traveled to Spain to spread the teachings of Jesus to the people in the North. He passed through the Spanish regions of Galicia and Aragón during this mission.

James later returned to Jerusalem, in 44 AD, where he was arrested by Herod Agripas I for his outspoken faith and refusal to renounce his religion. He was beheaded shortly thereafter, as recorded in the Book of Acts. His martyrdom is the only one out of all the apostles to have been documented in the New Testament. His remains were said to have been taken to what is now Santiago de Compostela, Spain. A massive cathedral now stands above his burial site, in his honor.

The pilgrimage to the cathedral is now one of the most famous in the world, known as the Camino de Santiago, or St. James’ Way. Thousands of people from many different countries and nationalities make the journey each year.

John

John is known primarily for his contribution to the New Testament by way of his gospel, his three epistles, and the prophetic book of Revelation. He was the younger brother of James the Greater and is known as “the beloved” for his close friendship with Jesus Christ. He started his work helping establish Christianity in Jerusalem alongside his older brother and Peter.

He then lived in Asia Minor for a long time, where he became a leader in the newly established church in Ephesus. Unlike his fellow disciples, he was the only one to die of natural causes. However, many attempts to kill him were made and the Romans allegedly tried to boil him in oil.

Following his encounter with the Romans, John was exiled to the Greek island of Patmos. He remained there from 81 to 96 AD, during the reign of Emperor Domitian, and it was here that he had the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. Shortly afterwards he returned to Ephesus where he died of old age around 100 AD.

James the Lesser

James, son of Alphaus, was one of the original twelve apostles and is known for having travelled to Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. His title of “Lesser” has nothing to do with his standing among the apostles, but instead is thought to relate to the fact that he was younger than the other apostles. Also known as James the Just, he has an epistle in the New Testament in which he talks about faith and morality.

According to tradition, James was martyred in Jerusalem around 62 AD. He was condemned by the high priest Ananus II, stoned, and then clubbed to death. His death marks one of the first significant cases of martyrdom within the Christian faith.

Matthew

The author of the self-titled gospel in the New Testament, Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector who Jesus called to become a disciple. His missionary work spread the religion through Persia and Parthia (modern-day Iran), Judea and Palestine, and, according to Christian tradition, Ethiopia.

Not much is known about Matthew’s death other than the fact he died a martyr. According to legend, he died in Ethiopia after performing miracles and converting many people – including the country’s royals – to Christianity. He was reportedly stabbed or speared to death while celebrating mass.

Phillip

Phillip was one of the first of the apostles to be called by Jesus, along with Andrew. It is thought that he was a disciple of John the Baptist because he witnessed Jesus’ baptism. He was known for his inquisitive nature and for bringing Nathanael to Christ in the Gospel of John. Phillip preached throughout Samaria, Asia Minor, Greece, and Syria. He is infamous for having performed many miracles and exorcisms.

Phillip met his end in Hierapolis in modern-day Turkey. After converting the wife of a prominent official, he was crucified upside down or hung with iron hooks, depending on which account one goes by. His tomb was allegedly found in Hierapolis by archaeologists, further connecting him to Turkey.

Bartholemew (Nathanael)

Bartholomew, who is also known as Nathanael in some accounts, is known for his initial skepticism of Jesus. However, he went on to become one of his most devout followers. Jesus praised him for being a sincere and genuine person.

“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” said Jesus according to the Gospel of John 1:47.

Bartholomew went to India, Armenia, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Arabia during his missionary voyage. In India, he was rumored to have preached the Gospel of Matthew, and in Armenia, he converted the royal family along with thousands of everyday people. His work led Armenia to be one of the first Christian nations in the world and planted the seed of the Christian faith in many other nations. Nathanael was brutally martyred in Armenia, being flayed alive before being beheaded and crucified.

Thomas

Infamously known as the disciple who doubted Jesus’ resurrection before seeing him appear, Thomas went on to spread the gospel in India, Parthia, Persia, and, according to tradition, China. “Doubting Thomas” and his story are important to Christians, as he preached the faith further than most of his brothers despite the fact that his faith waivered.

Thomas was ultimately martyred in Mylapore (modern-day Chennai) in India around 72 AD. He was speared while praying on a hill.

Thaddeus (Jude)

The apostle Thaddeus, also known as Jude or Judas (not Iscariot), is best known for having authored the epistle of Jude. In his missionary work following Jesus’ resurrection, he was performed many miracles across Mesopotamia, Judea, Samaria, Armenia, and Persia. His persistent preaching and miracles led to the conversion of many people wherever he went.

There are mixed accounts about his death, other than the fact that he died a martyr. He was killed around the year 65 AD in either Persia or Syria. He was either beaten to death with a club, crucified, or killed with arrows.

Simon the Zealot

Simon is referred to in biblical accounts as Simon the Canaanean or Simon the Zealot in order to distinguish him from Simon Peter. He was rumored to have been part of the group known as the Zealots who sought to overthrow Rome, but after meeting Jesus his zeal was directed to preaching.

Simon preached throughout Mesopotamia, Judea, Samaria, North Africa, Egypt, and, according to tradition, Britain. While not much is known about his martyrdom, rumor has it he was sawn in half in Persia.

Matthias

Matthias was chosen by the other apostles to replace Judas Iscariot. He was known for his great faith and commitment to spreading the gospel. After being chosen as an apostle due to having witnessed Jesus’ life and teachings, he did missionary work in Judea, Pontus in Asia Minor, Ethiopia, and Armenia. There are not many records attesting to the way he died, but it is widely accepted that he was martyred by stoning or crucifixion in either Judea or Cappadocia.