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The Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ
Named in the New Testament
The most common traditional names.
All lists agree on the first 11, but the 12th spot changes after Judas Iscariot’s betrayal.
- Simon Peter (also called Cephas) – Fisherman, brother of Andrew, leader of the Twelve, “the rock.”
- Andrew – Peter’s brother, fisherman from Bethsaida, known for bringing people to Jesus (including Peter and the boy with the loaves/fishes).
- James (son of Zebedee) – Fisherman, brother of John, one of the “Sons of Thunder,” first apostle martyred (Acts 12:2).
- John (son of Zebedee) – The “disciple whom Jesus loved,” author of the Gospel of John, three letters, and Revelation.
- Philip – From Bethsaida, the one who said “Come and see” to Nathanael and asked Jesus “Show us the Father.”
- Bartholomew (also called Nathanael) – The honest Israelite Jesus saw under the fig tree (“in whom there is no guile”).
- Thomas (also called Didymus, meaning “Twin”) – The one who doubted the resurrection until he touched Jesus’ wounds, then declared “My Lord and my God!”
- Matthew (also called Levi) – The tax collector who left his booth to follow Jesus, traditionally the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
- James (son of Alphaeus) – Sometimes called “James the Less” or “James the Younger” to distinguish him from James son of Zebedee.
- Thaddaeus (also called Judas son of James, or simply Jude in some lists) – Asked Jesus at the Last Supper why He would reveal Himself to them and not the world (John 14:22).
- Simon the Zealot (or Simon the Cananaean) – Likely a former member of the revolutionary Zealot party.
12a. Judas Iscariot – The one who betrayed Jesus and later died by suicide.
12b. Matthias – Chosen by lot in Acts 1:26 to replace Judas Iscariot, becoming the twelfth apostle.
Others called “apostles” in a broader sense
Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) – “Apostle to the Gentiles,” called directly by the risen Christ.
Barnabas – Called an apostle alongside Paul in Acts 14:14.
So the classic Twelve (after Pentecost) were:
Peter, Andrew, James (Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew or Nathanael, Thomas, Matthew, James (Alphaeus), Thaddaeus or Jude, Simon the Zealot, and Matthias.
That’s the lineup that changed the world!