Peter and the 11 Apostles in Mark

Peter: The new name for Simon. “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church.” Peter later takes the initiative to replace Judas, converts 3000 Jews with a single sermon, goes to Cornelius, embarks on a preaching and healing mission away from Jerusalem, attends the Council in Jerusalem on Jewish/Gentile relational issues, and then disappears from the biblical story. Peter was the “bridgeman” who held together the first century Christian community between the extremes of Paul and James. He traveled to Antioch, Corinth, and Rome.

James: The son of Zebedee, along with his brother John, a Galilean fisherman. Along with Peter, he and John formed Jesus’ inner circle. He and John caused a stir among the disciples by asking for a special place in Christ’s kingdom. Herod Agrippa I killed him “by the sword” circa AD 44.

John: The younger brother of James, his later ministry was associated with Peter. His mother’s name was Salome, who was the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, meaning John and James were Jesus’ cousins. He has been identified with the unnamed disciple of John the Baptist and as being the author of the Gospel of John, three short letters, and Revelation. He is thought to have been the only disciple at the cross, where Jesus gave his mother to John’s care.

Andrew: He came from Bethsaida in Galilee but went to live with Peter in Capernaum where they were in the fishing business together. As a disciple of John the Baptist, he was pointed by him to Jesus as the Lamb of God. He then found Simon and brought him to Jesus. The synoptics tell little of him, but John shows him bringing not only Peter but some Greeks to Jesus.

Philip: John’s Gospel gives us details on Philip. He was called by Jesus on the day after Andrew was called and was instrumental in bringing Nathanael to Jeus. He was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew. He was unable to tell Jeus how to feed the 5000; he brought some Greeks to Jesus; and he told Jesus he did not know where Jesus was going, to which Jesus replied, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He is not the Philip of Acts.

Batholomew: We know next to nothing of him in the synoptics. However, he could be the Nathanael of John from Cana of Galilee.

Matthew: He likely wrote the Gospel of Matthew in which he identifies himself as a tax collector. Matthew and Levi are usually identified as the same person.

Thomas: Only John says anything about Thomas, whose name means “Twin.” He is also known as “Doubting Thomas” because he missed Jesus’ first resurrection appearance and wanted to see and touch his body.

James son of Alphaeus: He was also known as “James the younger, the son of Mary” to distinguish him from the other James.

Thaddaeus: His name only appears in Mark and Matthew in their lists of disciples.

Simon the Zealot: His name is listed in Mark and Matthew.

Judas Iscariot: His name always appears last in the synoptic lists of disciples. Iscariot likely means “a man of Kerioth,” a town located in Moab. He was the treasurer of the Twelve. He was critical of Mary in anointing Jesus with nard. He colludes with the Jewish leadership to betray Jesus for a price and brings the arresting party to the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew records Judas’ death by hanging himself. Acts 1 records why he was replaced to bring the number of apostles back to twelve.