Meet the Disciples

Simon Peter was a fisherman from Bethsaida whom Jesus renamed Peter, meaning “rock.” Bold and quick-spoken, he was the first to call Jesus the Messiah and even stepped out of a boat to walk on water. He denied Jesus three times on the night of the arrest, but the risen Jesus forgave him and told him to feed His sheep.

Peter went on to preach at Pentecost, lead the early church, and, tradition says, give his life for Jesus in Rome.

Andrew was Peter's brother and a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. He first followed John the Baptist, then became the very first disciple to follow Jesus — and immediately ran to bring his brother along.

He's the one who found the boy with five loaves and two fish before Jesus fed the five thousand. Quiet but steady, Andrew is remembered as the disciple who was always introducing people to Jesus.

James was John's older brother and a fisherman with their father Zebedee. Jesus nicknamed the brothers “Sons of Thunder” for their fiery spirit. James was part of Jesus' inner three, along with Peter and John — present at the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus's daughter, and the garden of Gethsemane.

He was the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred, put to death by King Herod Agrippa around AD 44.

John was the younger Son of Thunder and one of Jesus' closest friends, often called “the disciple Jesus loved.” He leaned on Jesus at the Last Supper and stood at the foot of the cross, where Jesus asked him to care for Mary as his own mother.

He wrote the Gospel of John, three letters, and the book of Revelation. Church tradition says he was the only apostle to die of old age, after years of exile on the island of Patmos.

Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Peter and Andrew. The moment Jesus called him to follow, he ran to find his friend Nathanael and invited him with three simple words: “Come and see.”

He's the disciple Jesus tested before the feeding of the five thousand, and the one who asked, “Show us the Father.” Tradition says Philip later preached in Greece and Asia Minor, bringing many more people to meet Jesus.

Bartholomew, also called Nathanael, was from Cana in Galilee. When Philip told him about Jesus, he was skeptical — but Jesus greeted him as “a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit” and said He had seen him under a fig tree before they ever met. Nathanael believed on the spot and called Jesus the Son of God.

Tradition says he later carried the good news as far as India and Armenia.

Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector in Capernaum — a job that made him rich and hated by his own people. When Jesus walked past his booth and said “Follow me,” he got up and left everything behind, then threw a feast so his tax-collector friends could meet Jesus too.

He later wrote the Gospel of Matthew, carefully showing how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promises about the Messiah.

Thomas, also called Didymus (“the twin”), was brave and honest. When Jesus decided to go back to dangerous Judea, Thomas told the others, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” After the resurrection he refused to believe until he saw Jesus for himself — and when Jesus appeared, Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!”

Tradition says he later carried the gospel all the way to India.

James, son of Alphaeus, is sometimes called “James the Less” to tell him apart from James the son of Zebedee. The Bible names him in every list of the twelve apostles but records none of his words. His quiet faithfulness is his legacy — a reminder that following Jesus doesn't require the loudest voice, only a willing heart.

Tradition remembers him as a devoted early leader of the church.

Thaddaeus, also called Judas son of James (not Iscariot), asked Jesus a heartfelt question at the Last Supper: why show yourself to us and not to the whole world? Jesus answered that anyone who loves Him and keeps His word becomes a home for the Father and the Son.

Thaddaeus is remembered as the apostle who reminds us that love and obedience are how Jesus makes His home with us. Tradition says he later preached in Syria and Persia.

Simon was called “the Zealot,” meaning he once belonged to a group that wanted to overthrow Rome by force. Then he met Jesus — the Prince of Peace — and traded his sword for a servant's heart. Alongside Matthew the tax collector (who worked for Rome), Simon shows how Jesus brings enemies together into one family.

Tradition says he later carried the gospel through Egypt, Persia, and beyond.

Judas Iscariot was the disciple trusted to carry the money bag — but greed slowly took hold of his heart. He agreed to hand Jesus over to the religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver and identified Him in the garden with a kiss.

Filled with regret, he threw the money back and took his own life. His story is a sober reminder to guard our hearts and stay close to Jesus, who offered forgiveness even to those who wounded Him.