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The Twelve Apostles
chosen c. AD 28 (Mark 3)· Person· People
Mostly agreed by scholarsMost historians agree; some details uncertain.
The inner circle of twelve disciples Jesus chose to be with him and send out to preach; 'apostle' means 'one sent'.
See it on the Bible & Christianity map →What it is
Mark 3:13–19 lists them: Simon Peter, James and John (sons of Zebedee), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. The number mirrors the twelve tribes of Israel. Most were Galilean working men; at least four were fishermen and Matthew a tax collector. After Judas died, the others chose Matthias to replace him (Acts 1:26). Tradition says most died as martyrs far from home.
Why it matters
They became the first witnesses and leaders of the church. Catholics and Orthodox trace their bishops back to them through 'apostolic succession'.
Life, legacy and sources
Paul mentions 'the twelve' by about AD 54 (1 Corinthians 15:5). The four lists (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Acts) differ slightly: Luke has Judas son of James where Mark has Thaddaeus.
Questions and debates
Their later lives rest mostly on tradition: Thomas in India, Andrew in Greece, James in Spain. Apart from Judas, the Bible records only one apostle's death: James son of Zebedee (Acts 12:2).
Connections (2)
▸Jesus of Nazareth chose The Twelve ApostlesMostly agreed by scholars
The connection
After a night of prayer, Luke says (6:12–16), Jesus chose twelve from his wider following 'to be with him' and to be sent out to preach (Mark 3:14). The number mirrored Israel's twelve tribes, signaling the renewal of God's people; he promised they would 'sit on twelve thrones' (Matthew 19:28).
When and where
Galilee, c. AD 28; Peter, Andrew, James and John were called from their fishing nets by the Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:16–20).
How do we know?
Most scholars accept that a group of twelve existed: Paul mentions 'the twelve' early (1 Corinthians 15:5), and the Gospels admit one of them betrayed Jesus.
Questions and debates
Why the lists differ by a name or two, and what most of the Twelve besides Peter and John did afterward, are uncertain.
▸The Twelve Apostles were led by Simon Peter, leader of the apostlesMostly agreed by scholars
The connection
Peter heads every list of the Twelve (Mark 3:16) and often speaks for them: he declares Jesus the Messiah, and with James and John forms an inner circle at the Transfiguration and in Gethsemane. After Easter he leads the group, proposing a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15–26).
When and where
Galilee and Jerusalem, about AD 28–33; Acts 1–12 shows him leading the church in its first decade.
How do we know?
The Gospels, Acts and Paul's letters agree on his prominence; Paul stayed with 'Cephas' in Jerusalem for 15 days (Galatians 1:18).
Questions and debates
Whether his leadership was a formal office or personal standing matters for the papacy debate. Later, James seems to take the lead in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:12; Acts 15).