HOW THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST DIED
The Martyrs of Christ
10/14/20243 min read
1. Peter (Simon)
Death: Crucified upside down.
When: Around AD 64 during Nero’s persecution.
Where: Rome, Italy.
How: Peter was crucified upside down at his own request, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ. His martyrdom occurred during Emperor Nero’s brutal persecution of Christians. Peter’s death marked the end of his leadership in the early Church and fulfilled his dedication to Christ.
2. James the Great (Son of Zebedee)
Death: Beheaded.
When: Around AD 44.
Where: Jerusalem.
How: James was beheaded by order of King Herod Agrippa I, making him the first of the apostles to be martyred. His death is recorded in the Book of Acts (Acts 12:1-2). He remained faithful to his calling, even in the face of such early persecution.
3. John (Son of Zebedee)
Death: Natural causes.
When: Around AD 100.
Where: Ephesus (modern-day Turkey).
How: John died a peaceful death, likely in his old age, making him the only apostle to avoid martyrdom. Before his death, he was exiled to Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. His long life allowed him to deeply influence the early Christian community through his writings.
4. Andrew (Brother of Peter)
Death: Crucified on an X-shaped cross.
When: Around AD 60.
Where: Patras, Greece.
How: Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross, a distinctive shape that became his symbol in Christian iconography. He requested not to be crucified on a traditional cross, as he felt unworthy to die like Jesus. According to tradition, he preached from the cross for two days before succumbing to death.
5. Philip
Death: Crucified or stoned.
When: Around AD 80.
Where: Hierapolis (modern-day Turkey).
How: Philip was either crucified upside down or stoned to death in Hierapolis while spreading the Gospel. Tradition holds that he continued preaching to the crowd during his execution. His death came after many years of successful missionary work in the region.
6. Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)
Death: Flayed alive and then beheaded.
When: Around AD 68.
Where: Armenia.
How: Bartholomew was brutally flayed alive and then beheaded, a common form of execution for early Christian martyrs. He is believed to have been killed while spreading Christianity in Armenia. His death stands out for its graphic nature and is still vividly remembered in Church tradition.
7. Matthew (also known as Levi)
Death: Stabbed or martyred by unknown means.
When: Possibly AD 60–70.
Where: Ethiopia or Persia.
How: Matthew’s exact manner of death is uncertain, though tradition suggests he was stabbed to death, possibly in Ethiopia or Persia. He had dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel and had authored the Gospel of Matthew. His martyrdom occurred during his missionary efforts in distant lands.
8. Thomas (also known as Didymus)
Death: Speared to death.
When: Around AD 72.
Where: Mylapore, near Chennai, India.
How: Thomas was speared to death in India while preaching to the people there. His missionary work led to the establishment of Christianity in India, and he is especially venerated in Indian Christian communities. His martyrdom came after converting many to the faith.
9. James the Less (Son of Alphaeus)
Death: Possibly stoned or beaten to death.
When: Possibly around AD 62.
Where: Jerusalem.
How: James the Less was either thrown from the Temple and then stoned, or beaten to death with a fuller’s club. He was an important leader of the Jerusalem church and one of the earliest martyrs of the faith. His death came as tensions between Jewish authorities and the early Christians escalated.
10. Simon the Zealot
Death: Sawed in half or crucified.
When: Possibly AD 65–107.
Where: Persia or Syria.
How: Simon the Zealot was martyred, possibly by being sawed in half or crucified, in Persia or Syria. He is believed to have continued his zealous missionary efforts until his death. His death, like many of the apostles, was violent, signifying his firm commitment to the Gospel.
11. Jude (Thaddeus)
Death: Axed to death.
When: Possibly AD 65–80.
Where: Persia.
How: Jude was killed with an ax or club while on a mission to Persia, likely alongside Simon the Zealot. He was actively engaged in missionary work in the region before his martyrdom. His death reflects the widespread persecution faced by early Christians.
12. Matthias
Death: Stoned and beheaded.
When: Around AD 80.
Where: Jerusalem or possibly Ethiopia.
How: Matthias, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, was stoned and beheaded while preaching. Some traditions place his martyrdom in Jerusalem, while others suggest Ethiopia. His faithfulness to his mission ended with a violent death, affirming his devotion to Christ.
13. Judas Iscariot
Death: Suicide by hanging.
When: Around AD 30.
Where: Jerusalem.
How: Judas Iscariot, after betraying Jesus, hanged himself out of guilt and remorse. His death came shortly after the betrayal, which led to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Both the Gospels and Acts describe his tragic and ignoble end.