Sarah Mitchell
The martyrdom of the apostles is a topic that has been widely discussed and debated by theologians and historians alike. The apostles, also known as the Twelve, were Jesus' closest followers and played a crucial role in spreading the early church throughout the ancient world. While the Bible records the deaths of only two apostles, Judas and James, traditions handed down through the centuries claim that most of the original twelve apostles were martyred for their beliefs. The manner of their deaths varies, with some sources stating they were crucified, beheaded, or suffered other forms of martyrdom. One of the most well-known apostles, Peter, is believed by some to have been martyred in Rome, similar to the death of Jesus. The evidence for the martyrdom of each apostle varies, with some being more probable than others, and it is important to consider the accuracy of non-Biblical sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of apostles | 12 |
| Apostles who were martyred | 11 |
| Apostles whose deaths are recorded in the Bible | 2 (James and Judas Iscariot) |
| Apostles who died of natural causes | 1 (John) |
| Apostle who took his own life | Judas Iscariot |
| Apostles believed to have been crucified | Andrew, Peter, Paul |
| Apostles believed to have been beheaded | Bartholomew |
| Apostles believed to have been stoned | James, son of Alphaeus |
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What You'll Learn
St. Peter was martyred in Rome, possibly by crucifixion
St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, is believed to have been martyred in Rome around twenty years after the martyrdom of James, the son of Zebedee. This would place St. Peter's martyrdom sometime around 64 CE, during the reign of Emperor Nero.
There is no description of St. Peter's death in Scripture. However, it is traditionally held that he was crucified upside down, at his own request, as he felt unworthy of dying in the same manner as Jesus Christ. This belief is supported by several early Christian writers, including Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius. According to Origen, in his "Commentary on the Book of Genesis III":
> Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, as he himself had desired to suffer.
The tradition of St. Peter's inverted crucifixion is also depicted in art, such as in the painting "The Crucifixion of Saint Peter" by Italian Baroque master Caravaggio. The Cross of St. Peter inverts the Latin cross based on this tradition.
St. Peter is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as the first in its succession of popes, and he is often depicted in art and popular culture at the gates of heaven, holding the "keys of heaven."
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St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in Greece
Andrew, the Apostle and brother of Simon Peter, was martyred around AD 60. He was crucified by order of the Roman Governor, Aegeas or Aegeates, in Patras, Greece.
Andrew was bound, not nailed, to a Latin cross, in the shape of an 'X', to prolong his suffering. He is said to have survived for two days, preaching to the crowd and converting them, so that they demanded his release. When the Roman Proconsul Aegeas ordered his men to take Andrew down, they were struck by a miraculous paralysis, answering the saint's prayer to be allowed to undergo martyrdom.
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Patras, Greece, holds relics purported to be those of the Apostle Andrew. These include his remains, which were returned to Patras from the Vatican in 1964, and his skull, which was given to Pope Pius II by Thomas Palaiologos in 1461.
Saint Andrew is typically depicted in art as being crucified in the form of an 'X' rather than a cross. Notable paintings of his crucifixion include the tempera painting by Greek painter Michael Damaskinos, and 'The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew' (1607) by Italian Baroque master Caravaggio.
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St. Bartholomew was martyred by King Astyages in Armedia
There are varying accounts of the martyrdom of St. Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles. According to the non-Biblical document, "Martyrdom of Bartholomew", he was martyred by King Astyages in Armenia. In this account, King Astyages, enraged that Bartholomew had converted his brother Polymius to Christianity, ordered Bartholomew to be beaten with rods and then beheaded.
However, there are no records of any Armenian king of the Arsacid dynasty with the name Polymius, nor is there any record of a King or Prince Astyages. It is speculated that "Polymius" is a Latinised version of the Greek name "Polymios", meaning "Great Strength", and that it was an epithet rather than a birth name. The legend of King Polymius and his brother, Prince Astyages, may have been invented as a representation of the battle between good and evil, with Polymius as the "good, hero Christian king" and Azhdahak, an eternal evil ruler in Armenian legend, as his opposite.
Another account of Bartholomew's martyrdom names the king as Agrippa, identified with Tigranes VI, or Sanatruk, king of Armenia. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Bartholomew may have been martyred in either Achaia or Patrae in western Greece.
In the Hellenic tradition, Bartholomew was executed in Albanopolis in Armenia, where he was martyred for converting the local king, Polymius, to Christianity. Azerbaijani Christians, meanwhile, believe that Bartholomew was crucified and killed by pagans around 71 AD in the area near the Maiden Tower in modern-day Azerbaijan, and he is regarded as the bringer of Christianity to the region.
Bartholomew is also understood by many scholars as "Nathaniel", and it is believed that he was martyred, either by beheading or being flayed alive.
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St. Thomas was martyred in India
St. Thomas, also known as "doubting Thomas", was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus in the 1st century CE. He is commonly referred to as "doubting Thomas" due to his initial doubts about the resurrection of Jesus and his demand for physical proof of the wounds of Christ's crucifixion. However, upon witnessing the wounds, St. Thomas became the first person to explicitly acknowledge the divinity of Jesus.
According to tradition, St. Thomas preached the Gospel in India and suffered martyrdom there. He is recognized as the founder of the Church of the Syrian Malabar Christians, also known as Thomas Christians. St. Thomas is regarded as the patron saint of India among its Christian adherents, and his feast day on July 3 is celebrated as Indian Christians' Day.
The specific details of St. Thomas' martyrdom are not explicitly mentioned in the sources. However, it is believed that he landed in Muziris (present-day Cranganore or North Paravur and Kodungalloor in Kerala) in 52 CE and was martyred in Mylapore, near Madras (now Chennai), in 72 CE.
St. Thomas' missionary work and martyrdom in India have been commemorated throughout history. Hymns of Saint Ephrem describe his miracles in India and the impact he had on the people he evangelized. The tradition of St. Thomas Christians in India holds that he was the only apostle to evangelize in their land, and he is also associated with the establishment of churches in the Middle East, South Asia, and Sri Lanka.
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St. James, son of Zebedee, was martyred by King Herod Agrippa I
St. James, son of Zebedee, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and a member of Jesus' inner circle. He witnessed the raising of Jairus' daughter, the Transfiguration, and Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
St. James was martyred by beheading, by order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judaea. The Acts of the Apostles record that "Herod the king" had James executed by the sword. This is also recorded in the Bible, in Acts 12:2. King Herod Agrippa I then arrested St. Peter, but he escaped. St. James was martyred in the year 44 AD, and his feast day is celebrated on 25 July in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and certain other Protestant churches.
St. James is the patron saint of Spain, and his remains are believed to be held in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. He is also the patron saint of Galicia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Seattle.
The martyrdom of St. James and the other apostles is often used as evidence for the Resurrection. The argument is that the apostles would not have willingly suffered and died for their faith if they did not truly believe that Jesus rose from the dead. This argument has been critiqued by some, who claim that it does not prove the resurrection hypothesis but rather disproves the fraud hypothesis.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Peter was crucified in Rome, possibly in the year 44 AD.
St. Andrew was martyred via a form of crucifixion around A.D. 60.
St. James was executed with a sword by King Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD.
St. John died of natural causes at an old age in Ephesus.
St. Bartholomew was martyred, either by beheading or being flayed alive.
