The Twelve Apostles: Part 2 – Faithful Witnesses to the Divine

The remaining eight Apostles may not have been in Jesus’ innermost circle, but they were no less essential to the spread of the Gospel. From distant lands to brutal martyrdoms, these men bore witness to Christ in word and in blood. Each one brings a unique example of faith, courage, and transformation.

Philip

Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Peter and Andrew. He was among the first to be called by Jesus and is remembered for his eagerness to follow. When he encountered Christ, he immediately went to tell Nathanael, saying, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth.” Philip is also the Apostle who asked Jesus to show them the Father, prompting the Lord’s powerful teaching that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father.

After the Ascension, Philip is said to have traveled and preached in Phrygia, a region in Asia Minor. According to tradition, he was martyred in the city of Hierapolis. Accounts vary, but many say he was crucified upside down or bound to a pillar and stoned. His fervor and love for truth remind us of the call to know and proclaim Christ without hesitation.

Bartholomew (Nathanael)

Bartholomew is widely believed to be the same person as Nathanael, whom Philip introduced to Jesus. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He declared, “Here is a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Bartholomew was known for his sincerity and purity of heart, traits that made him especially receptive to Christ’s call.

Tradition holds that Bartholomew traveled extensively to preach the Gospel, possibly reaching Armenia, Mesopotamia, and even India. His end was especially brutal. He was flayed alive, a martyrdom that reflected both his unwavering faith and the violent resistance he faced in preaching Christ crucified. His legacy is one of integrity and fearless witness, regardless of the cost.

Matthew (Levi)

Matthew was a tax collector, a profession viewed with disdain by his fellow Jews. Yet when Jesus said, “Follow me,” Matthew rose immediately, left his post, and never looked back. His call reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of grace. He later authored the Gospel that bears his name, a work especially aimed at demonstrating Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy.

After Pentecost, Matthew is believed to have preached in regions like Ethiopia and Persia. His martyrdom is described variously, but many traditions agree that he was killed by the sword or spear while offering Mass. Matthew’s conversion and service show us the transformative power of Christ’s call and the lasting fruit of saying yes.

Thomas (Didymus)

Thomas is best known for doubting the Resurrection, declaring that he would not believe until he saw and touched the wounds of the risen Lord. When Jesus appeared and invited him to do so, Thomas responded with one of the most profound declarations in Scripture: “My Lord and my God.” His doubt led to deep faith, earning him a unique place in the Christian tradition.

Thomas traveled far in his missionary work, reaching as far as India. There he established Christian communities that endure to this day, such as the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala. He was eventually martyred by being pierced with a spear. His story shows that doubt, when sincerely brought to Christ, can become a path to even deeper belief.

James the Less

James, the son of Alphaeus, is sometimes called James the Less to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee. He is often associated with James the Just, a leader in the Jerusalem Church and likely the author of the Epistle of James. His life was one of quiet authority and steady leadership.

James led the early Christian community in Jerusalem, guiding believers through some of the Church’s earliest controversies. He is believed to have been martyred by being thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple, then clubbed to death when he survived the fall. James shows us the strength of humility and the wisdom that comes from patient, faithful service.

Jude (Thaddeus)

Jude, also called Thaddeus, is traditionally identified as the author of the short but powerful Epistle of Jude. He is often depicted holding an image of Jesus and is the patron saint of desperate causes. His Epistle urges believers to remain steadfast and to contend for the faith amid false teaching and apostasy.

Jude traveled to Mesopotamia and Persia, preaching the Gospel with great zeal. He is often paired with Simon the Zealot, and many accounts say they were martyred together. Jude was likely beaten to death or killed with arrows. His role as a beacon of hope in seemingly hopeless times has made him one of the most beloved saints in Catholic devotion.

Simon the Zealot

Simon is identified as a Zealot, likely a reference to the Jewish nationalist movement that opposed Roman rule. His background would have made him fiercely passionate, yet he found in Christ a deeper and truer revolution of the heart. Once filled with political zeal, he redirected that energy into the mission of the Gospel.

Simon preached in various regions, including Egypt and Persia, often in the company of Jude. Tradition holds that he was martyred by being sawn in half or crucified. His transformation from political firebrand to faithful evangelist is a witness to the power of Christ to redirect even our strongest passions toward holiness.

Matthias

After Judas Iscariot’s betrayal and death, the Apostles prayed and cast lots to choose his replacement. The lot fell to Matthias, a disciple who had followed Jesus from the time of John the Baptist until the Ascension. Though he was not one of the original twelve, he was chosen under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to take Judas’s place.

Matthias is believed to have preached in the region of Cappadocia and possibly in Ethiopia or along the Caspian Sea. Tradition holds that he was stoned and then beheaded for his faith. Though less known, his quiet faithfulness and readiness to serve make him a model of humble availability to God’s call.

Stewards of the Gospel

Each Apostle was called by name, shaped by grace, and sent forth into a world often hostile to their message. From fishermen to zealots, from doubters to martyrs, they stand as unshakable pillars of the Church. Though their journeys were different, their mission was the same—to proclaim Christ, crucified and risen, to the ends of the earth.

May we be inspired by their courage and holiness to live as true disciples in our own time.