The lives and deaths of Jesus Christ's 12 apostles are not always clear due to differing accounts in the New Testament, apocryphal texts, and early Christian reports. However, the most accepted explanations are as follows:
1. Peter: Led the mission to preach the Gospel after Jesus' death and was crucified upside down in Rome, reportedly at his own request.
2. Andrew: Was crucified in Greece, possibly on an X-shaped cross, and his remains were later taken to Scotland.
3. John: Was the youngest disciple and lived to be 94, dying of natural causes in Ephesus. He was the only apostle to witness Jesus' crucifixion.
4. Philip: Participated in many miracles and was killed, possibly by hanging, stoning, or crucifixion, in Hierapolis.
5. Bartholomew: Preached in Asia Minor and India, and was skinned and crucified upside down in Armenia.
6. Matthew: Collected taxes for the Roman Empire before being called by Jesus. He traveled to Judea, Persia, and Ethiopia, where he was killed by a sword wound.
7. Thomas: Known for his doubts about Jesus' resurrection. He died in India, reportedly by being speared, axed, and clubbed.
8. Simon: Little is known about Simon, but he may have been sawed in half or crucified in Armenia.
9. James (son of Zebedee): Was nicknamed "Son of Thunder" and was beheaded in Jerusalem.
10. James (son of Alphaeus): Was crucified in Egypt or stoned to death in Jerusalem.
11. Jude Thaddeus: Wrote one of the letters in the New Testament and was martyred in Syria, possibly by being lynched with a spear, ax, and club.
12. Judas Iscariot: Betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins and later took his own life by hanging.
The title of apostle was reserved for those who saw Jesus during his time on earth, but some denominations today consecrate people who believe they have a ministerial gift. Every Christian has a call from Jesus to announce the Gospel to those around them.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Jesus had 12 apostles who left their personal lives to join him on his mission.
2. After Jesus' death, the apostles were ordered to preach the Gospel to everyone.
3. The apostles faced great persecution and many were murdered in brutal ways.
4. The apostle Peter was the oldest disciple and was entrusted with the leadership of the church by Jesus.
5. Peter led the mission of preaching the Gospel to all people after Jesus' death.
6. Peter continued his missionary work for 35 years after Jesus' death and was killed in Rome.
7. Peter was crucified upside down in Rome, according to tradition.
8. The apostle Andrew was Peter's brother and was also a fisherman.
9. Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist before meeting Jesus.
10. Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Jesus.
11. Andrew was present at important moments in the Gospels, including Jesus' ascension to heaven.
12. Andrew played a role in the expansion of the early Christian church.
13. Andrew was tortured and crucified in Greece.
14. Andrew's remains were found centuries later and taken to Scotland.
15. The apostle John was the youngest disciple of Jesus.
16. John was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved.
17. John was part of Jesus' close friends, along with Peter and James.
18. John witnessed miracles and revelations and was the only apostle to accompany Jesus to his crucifixion.
19. John was thrown alive into boiling oil but suffered no harm, according to tradition.
20. John was taken captive to the island of Patmos by order of Emperor Domitian.
21. John received the revelation of the apocalypse on the island of Patmos.
22. John died of natural causes at the age of 94 in the city of Ephesus.
23. The apostle Philip was the third person to be called by Jesus to be a disciple.
24. Philip participated in many miracles and was asked by Jesus how to feed the multitude.
25. Philip continued the mission in Asia, in the regions of Phrygia, Hierapolis.
26. The apostle Bartholomew is mentioned in the list of disciples in the Bible.
27. Bartholomew preached throughout Asia Minor to India, according to some records.
28. Bartholomew was skinned and crucified upside down in Armenia, according to one version of Catholic tradition.
29. Bartholomew was flogged to death and his body was thrown into the sea, according to another version of Catholic tradition.
30. The apostle Matthew was a publican, collecting taxes for the Roman Empire.
31. Matthew was called by Jesus to follow him while he was working as a publican.
32. Matthew authored one of the Gospels and revealed many details about Jesus' ministry and life.
33. Matthew traveled throughout Judea, Persia, and Ethiopia, where he was killed.
34. Matthew's death was caused by a sword wound, but there are also accounts that he died of natural causes.
35. The apostle Thomas was known for his sincerity and his desire to see Jesus after his resurrection.
36. Thomas gained prominence in biblical accounts after Jesus' death.
37. Thomas was known as "Doubting Thomas" because he did not believe in Jesus' resurrection until he could touch his marks.
38. Thomas was present when Jesus appeared to him and showed him his marks.
39. Thomas died in secret in the Indian city of Madras in the year 53 AD, according to some reports.
40. The apostle Simon was from Cana in Galilee.
41. Simon was cut in half by a saw, according to Catholic tradition.
42. Simon was martyred at the age of 120 during the empire of Trajan, according to some accounts.
43. Simon was crucified or burned alive at a stake in Armenia, according to other versions.
44. The apostle James, son of Zebedee, was the brother of the apostle John.
45. James and John were nicknamed "sons of Thunder" by Jesus.
46. James worked on his father's boat with Peter and Andrew.
47. James became a disciple of Jesus on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
48. James was beheaded at the behest of Herod around the year 44 AD.
49. The apostle James, son of Alphaeus, has very few details about his life and death.
50. James, son of Alphaeus, was crucified in Egypt in the year 62 AD, according to one account.
51. James, son of Alphaeus, was stoned to death, according to another account by the historian Flávio Josephus.
52. The apostle Jude Thaddeus wrote one of the letters present in the New Testament.
53. Jude was different from the traitor Judas.
54. Jude responded with fidelity to his call and had the courage to give his life for love of Christ and for the sake of the Gospel.
55. Jude evangelized in Judea, Samaria, Idumae, Syria, Mesopotamia, and ancient Libya.
56. Jude was martyred in the year 70 AD, lynched with a spear, an ax, and a club.
57. The apostle Judas Iscariot was the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
58. Judas was in charge of managing the money for the disciples.
59. Judas used to steal the valuables collected, despite his responsibility.
60. Judas tried to return the money he was paid for betraying Jesus but was rejected.
61. Judas threw the money inside the temple and hung himself.
Note: Some of the facts are based on tradition and may not be universally accepted as historical facts.