Peter

Simon, the Galilean fisherman, received the name Peter, "the Rock," from Jesus. In spite of that name, the Gospels seem to stress his impulsiveness. He worked particularly among the Jews while Paul worked with the Gentiles. Peter was crucified upside down by Nero in Rome.

Andrew

Peter's brother Andrew was also a fisherman. The brothers came from the town of Bethsaida. He preached in Scythia, and was put to death on an X-shaped (Saint Andrew) cross.

James, son of Zebedee

A fisherman, James left his trade with his brother John to follow Jesus. James and John were probably Jesus' closest disciples. James was probably the first Apostle to die for his faith; he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa about A.D. 44.

John

James' brother John may be the disciple "whom Jesus loved." Paul called John one of the "pillars" of the church at Jerusalem.

Philip

Like Peter and Andrew, Philip was from the town of Bethsaida. In his later life, he preached in various parts of the world.

Bartholomew

This Apostle may be the same as Nathaniel in John's Gospel. Bartholomew may have been his surname. According to tradition, he brought the Gospel to India and Greater Armenia, where he was flayed alive and beheaded.

Matthew

An alternate name, Levi, is given for this Apostle in the Gospels.

Thomas

He is called the Twin in John's Gospel. He brought God's Word to India, where he was martyred.

James, son of Alphaeus

This James may be James the young in Mark's Gospel, to distinguish him from the brother of John. A dubious tradition identifies him with "James the Lord's brother" (Gal 1:19), who succeeded Peter as leader of the Christian in Jerusalem and was stoned to death in A.D. 62.

Simon the Zealot

Nothing is said of Simon except that he was one of the 12. He was zealous for the Jewish law, and may have been a member of a Zealot band of Jews who fought Roman rule.

Judas, son of James

This Judas (sometimes called Jude) is probably the Thaddaeus of the gospels of Matthew and Mark. It may have been his surname to avoid confusing him with Judas Iscariot. He is closely linked to Simon the Zealot and both supposedly went to Persia to preach and were martyred there.

Judas Iscariot

The surname of Judas the traitor may mean "man of Kerioth," which would indicate he was probably the only non-Galilean Apostle. Kerioth is located in Judea.