How did the Apostles die?

How did the Apostles die?
One of the most commonly asked questions about the followers of Jesus is "How did the Apostles die"? This is a difficult question to answer as there is a lack of information on this subject. The Bible only mentions the deaths of two apostles and additional information about the deaths of the Apostles come from early Christian writers. The two Apostles whose deaths were mentioned in the Bible were those of Judas Iscariot who committed suicide following his betrayal of Jesus and also the death of James who was put to death by Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD. The world in which the Apostles lived were ruled by the Romans who looked to leaders of the Jews to help to maintain peace in the provinces. Any new religious cults were seen as a threat to traditional beliefs and discontent within the population. In such a volatile religious and political climate the teachings of the Apostles would have been viewed with contempt by both the Jews and the Romans. It is therefore likely that most, if not all of the Apostles were killed and died the deaths of martyrs, with the exception of John. Many other early Christians were persecuted due to the edicts of various Roman Emperors. These early Christians were tortured and sentenced to terrible deaths, as was the custom of the times.

Apostles Creed

How did the Apostles die?
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How did the Apostle Peter (Simon Peter) die?
The Apostle Peter (AKA Simon Peter) was the leader of the apostles, after Jesus' ascension. Peter was believed to have been crucified upside down in Rome during the reign of the Emperor Nero in 64AD. It is said that Peter asked to be crucified upside  saying that he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

The Apostle Peter

How did the Apostle Andrew die?
The Apostle Andrew was Simon Peter's brother. Before Andrew met Jesus, he had been a disciple of John the Baptist. He preached in Scythia and Greece. Andrew was crucified in Greece on an X-shaped cross, two ends of which were in the ground. The term "St. Andrew's Cross" originated from his form of execution.

The Apostle Andrew

How did the Apostle James die?
The Apostle James was the older brother of John the Apostle. James was beheaded. He was "put to death with the sword" by King Herod (Acts 12:2).

The Apostle James

How did the Apostle John die?
The Apostle John along with Andrew had been disciples of John the Baptist. John was the "beloved disciple" who sat next to Jesus during the Last Supper. John went on to write the book of Revelation and although there is scarce documented evidence about exactly how he died it is likely that he was exiled to the Island of Patmos where he possibly died of natural causes.

The Apostle John

How did the Apostle Philip die?
The Apostle Philip became the sixth disciple of Jesus. Philip went to Carthage, Greece, Phrygia, and Syria where he preached and performed miracles. Philip was crucified (the Greeks say head downwards), and then stoned to death.

The Apostle Philip

How did the Apostle Bartholomew die?
The Apostle Bartholomew (also known as Nathaniel) and is believed to have preached the gospel in Armenia, India, Mesopotamia, Persia and Phrygia. It is believed that he suffered the terrible double sentence of being flayed alive and crucified.

The Apostle Bartholomew

How did the Apostle Thomas die?
The Apostle Thomas (also known as Didymus) preached in Persia and India where he was killed by four soldiers armed with spears.

The Apostle Thomas

How did the Apostle Matthew die?
The Apostle Matthew was formerly a tax collector at Capernaum and wrote the first book of the New Testament. He preached in Persia and Ethiopia and he is believed to have been axed to death at Naddabar in Ethiopia with a halberd (a pike fitted with an axe head).

The Apostle Matthew

How did the Apostle James the Less (the son of Alphaeus) die?
The Apostle James (James the Less) preached in Syria and it is believed that he was clubbed to death.

The Apostle James the Less

How did the Apostle Jude Thaddaeus die?
The Apostle Thaddaeus (also known as Judas or Jude the brother of James) was crucified at Edessa.

How did the Apostle Simon die?
The Apostle Simon was called "the Zealot" was given the authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal the sick. He travelled across many parts of the Roman empire and is believed to have been crucified in Persia.

How did the Apostle Judas Iscariot die?
The Apostle Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and then hung himself.

How did the Apostle Matthias die?
The Apostle Matthias was chosen as an Apostle after the death of Judas Iscariot. He preached in Syria but returned to Rome where he was believed to have been burned to death.