The Twelve Apostles

Jesus chose twelve men to be His closest disciples and apostles. They were with Him throughout His earthly ministry and were commissioned to spread the Gospel to all nations. These weren't religious elites—they were fishermen, a tax collector, a political zealot—ordinary men through whom God would turn the world upside down.

Simon Peter

A fisherman, became the leader of the apostles

Also called Cephas, meaning "rock"

Andrew

Peter's brother, also a fisherman

First called by Jesus, brought Peter to Christ

James (son of Zebedee)

One of the "Sons of Thunder"

First apostle to be martyred

John

James's brother, "the disciple whom Jesus loved"

Wrote the Gospel of John, 3 epistles, and Revelation

Philip

Brought Nathanael to Jesus

From Bethsaida, same town as Peter and Andrew

Bartholomew (Nathanael)

Called "a true Israelite"

Jesus said he had no deceit

Matthew (Levi)

Former tax collector, wrote the Gospel of Matthew

Left everything to follow Jesus

Thomas

"Doubting Thomas" who believed after seeing

Also called Didymus, meaning "twin"

James (son of Alphaeus)

Also called "James the Less"

Distinguished from James, son of Zebedee

Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James)

Also known as Lebbaeus

Asked Jesus a question at the Last Supper

Simon the Zealot

Member of the Zealot party

Known for his zeal for Jewish law

Judas Iscariot

Betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver

Later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26)

The Great Commission

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

— Matthew 28:19-20