The Martydom of The Apostles

According to Christian tradition and historical records, most of the remaining apostles were brutally martyred for their faith across the ancient world, with only Saint John dying of natural causes at an old age.

In contrast to John’s peaceful passing in Ephesus around 98–100 AD, historical and church traditions document brutal fates for the rest of the inner circle:

• Peter was Crucified upside down in Rome on the orders of Nero
• Paul was be headed by the order of Roman emperor Nero in Rome
• Andrew who preached in Ukraine, Russia and Greece was as Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece
• James was Beheaded by King Herod Agrippa (the only death recorded in Acts) in Jerusalem

• Thomas was Pierced by spears in India
• Phillip was Scourged and crucified in Hierapolis in modern day Turkey after preaching in Syria and Greece

• Matthew was Slain with a sword or pinned by spears in Ethiopia. He had also preached in Persia

Bartholemew was Flayed alive and crucified in Armenia

James (son of Alphaeus) was thrown from the temple pinnacle and beaten with a club

• Simon the Zealot was Crucified or sawn in half. He had preached in Egypt, Persia and Britain

• Judas was shot with arrows or martyred by an axe in Beirut

• Matthais was stoned and beheaded

James, the brother of John, is the only apostle whose execution is explicitly recorded in the New Testament (Acts 12:2). He was executed by Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD to please religious authorities.

Peter was sentenced to crucifixion under Roman Emperor Nero around 64 AD. Christian tradition states he requested to be turned upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the exact same manner as Jesus Christ.

The Survivor: John was the only member of the inner circle to escape martyrdom. The Roman Emperor Domitian allegedly attempted to execute him by plunging him into a vat of boiling oil in the Colloseum John walked out completely unharmed. He was later exiled to the penal island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation before dying peacefully in Ephesus.

Theologians emphasize that John survived because his earthly mission was not yet complete. While exiled on the island of Patmos, John received a massive prophetic vision from Jesus Christ. This encounter allowed him to author the Book of Revelation, the final book of the Christian Bible. He also lived long enough to pen the Gospel of John and three epistles to strengthen the rapidly growing early church.

A widely discussed theological perspective notes a distinct contrast between John and the other ten remaining disciples during the crucifixion of Jesus.

It’s said the other disciples fled the scene out of fear and went into hiding.John (The Beloved Disciple): Was the only male disciple who fearlessly stood at the foot of the cross alongside Jesus’ mother, Mary.

Because of his unique loyalty, Jesus explicitly entrusted the care of his mother to John. Many scholars suggest that John was granted a long, natural life partly to fulfill this heavy responsibility of protecting Mary until her death.

Thomas travelled the furthest east, reaching the southern coast of India in 52 AD. He successfully founded the Saint Thomas Christian community, which thrives in the Indian state of Kerala to this day, before he was killed by local priests near Chennai.

Portraits of The Apostles by ElGreco, Courtesy of El Greco Museum, Toledo

Destination: Europe, Middle East and North Africa