The Original Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles

Simon Peter

Peter was a fisherman, the brother of Andrew and, with James and John, comprised the first “First Presidency.” Pres. Kimball said, “Peter was a diamond in the rough—a diamond that would need to be cut, trimmed, and polished by correction, chastisement, and trials—but nevertheless a diamond of real quality. The Savior knew this apostle could be trusted to receive the keys of the kingdom.”[1] Peter was crucified upside down.

Andrew

Also a fisherman, Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter and had been a disciple of John the Baptist.

James the son of Zebedee

Also known as James the Greater (to distinguish him from both “James the Less” who was an Apostle, and James who was the author of the Epistle of James and Jesus’s brother), James, a fisherman, was brother to John and in the first presidency. He and John were nicknamed “sons of thunder.” He was the first of the original Twelve to be martyred in AD 44, having been sentenced to death by sword by Herod Agrippa.

John

Author of the Gospel and the Book of Revelation, he was known as John the Beloved. He was the brother of James and together they were known as the “sons of thunder.” He is reported to have died of old age in Ephesus.

Philip

Philip was also a disciple of John the Baptist first and came from Galilee. Little is known about him, but he did recruit Nathanael.

Nathanael (believed to be Bartholomew)

Recruited by Philip, Nathanael became a disciple after the Lord revealed He had seen him sitting under a fig tree. He is reported to have been crucified upside down, like Peter.

Matthew (Levi)

Writer of the Gospel, Matthew was a tax collector whose call is documented in Matthew 9.

Thomas

Unfortunately nicknamed “Doubting Thomas” because of his insistence to see the marks in the Savior’s hands before he would believe that Jesus had been resurrected, Thomas was nonetheless a true and dedicated Apostle.

James the Less

James was the son of Alphaeus—very little is written about him in the New Testament other than he was one of the Twelve Apostles.

Simon the Zealot

Other than this title for him, virtually nothing is known about this Simon, other than he was chosen by the Lord to be an Apostle.

Thaddeus or Jude

Again, very little known about him. He is also known as “Judas,” not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, and is a brother of one of the James’s—probably James the Less.

Judas Iscariot

Because of his surname, Iscariot, it is possible he came from Kerioth which was near Hebron. It can be assumed that early on he was with the other Apostles when they performed miracles. Later, though, he was found to be a thief and a traitor. He hanged himself after betraying the Savior.

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[1] Spencer W. Kimball, “Peter, My Brother,” Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year (July 13, 1971), 2.