Ignite UK

How Each Apostle Died

All would give their lives for the gospel save John, who would be exiled in old age to the island of Patmos.  These accounts are drawn from church history and tradition and find little or no support in Scripture.

Peter—All records of early church history say he died by being crucified.  Some say that he was forced to watch his wife be crucified first.  After this he pleads to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to die as his Lord Jesus.

Andrew—Crucified  by being lashed to the cross instead of nailed to prolong the suffering.  Tradition says that he was lashed to an X-shaped cross.

James—While being led to the judgment-seat, the person who was leading him heard James give his testimony.  This man also acknowledged that he himself was a Christian and thus both men were led away and beheaded.

John—exiled to Patmos, dying around AD 98 under the reign of Emperor Trajan.  The only one not martyred. 

Philip—Tradition says he was among some of the first apostles to suffer martyrdom.  History says that he was put to death by stoning eight years after the death of James.

Nathanel—(also known as Bartholomew)  History is inconclusive on how he meet his death.  One account says that he was tied to a sack and thrown into the sea while another says that he was crucified.  All accounts say he was martyred.

Matthew—(tax collector)  No reliable accounts of his martyrdom, but tradition says that he was burned at the stake.

Thomas—(the doubter)  Tradition says that he was martyred by being run through with a spear.  Fitting, since it was the spear mark in the side of Christ that Thomas demanded to see before believing.

James—(the less or son of Alphaeus)  Varying accounts of his death, although all affirm martyrdom.  Some say he was stoned, others say he was beaten, while a few say he was crucified.

Simon—(the Zealot)  There are no records, that are reliable, on how he died, but all affirm dying for preaching the gospel.

Judas—(Son of James)  The traditional apostolic symbol for this apostle was the “Club” because tradition says he was clubbed to death.

Judas—(the traitor) Hung himself! 

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.  They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’  They they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” (Revelation 6:9-11)