Teacher notes:

Disciples to Apostles notes

Disciple: Follower or learner who aims to absorb and faithfully follow the teachings of their leader

Apostle: ‘sent out one’; someone who spreads the message of Jesus; typically a missionary

Also worth knowing:

Martyr: one who dies for their faith – especially when choosing death over denying their faith

Saint: one deemed ‘Holy’ or ‘worthy of heaven’ and officially recognised by the Catholic Church and added to their Canon of Saints. This would include all known apostles.

The disciples were everyday people going about their lives, when they were called to follow Jesus. They spent 3 years travelling with, living with & learning from Jesus, witnessing his ministry and teachings first-hand. When he died, they were initially in hiding & at a loss, but after the resurrection & particularly the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they became bold, outspoken preachers and ministers, spreading he good news of Jesus and in many cases, performing miracles just as Jesus did. Several others like John Mark, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy and Luke were not disciples but would be considered apostles.

The 12 Apostles which were disciples are explored in the BST unit on Mark (lesson: Disciples). They each have iconography associated with their life and traditional death used by the Church and art to identify them over the centuries. The extension task on OneNote gives these icons and helps the students connect with the disciples by trying to work out a bit more about them. The following are brief notes on the 12 disciples (+Matthias), to accompany the OneNote research task & lesson on the Disciples.

Andrew: Saltire (X cross) crossed fish

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Andrew was the brother of Peter & they were called together as Jesus’ first disciples to be ‘fishers of men.’

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Andrew preached in Asia Minor (Turkey) and Scythia (north of Iran), and then in Greece and Macedonia.

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Gregory of Tours recorded that St Andrew was crucified on a crux decussate (X) cross after being scourged, at Achaia, Patras, in 61AD. He preached for two days from the cross before he died.

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The crossed fish is probably a mix of his fisherman past with the X shaped cross

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Patron saint of Scotland (who also have the St Andrew cross for their flag)

Simon Peter: Keys of heaven, boat, fish, rooster, vestments, inverted cross, book or scroll

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Was first disciple of Jesus along with his brother Andrew. Previously a fisherman but followed Jesus after the miraculous catch of fish

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Recognised as the head of the Church after Pentecost – was the first to preach & see 3,000 saved, and to perform miracles.

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Agreed with Paul that the Gospel was also for the gentiles, not just the Jews. Wrote 1 & 2 Peter.

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Peter is always associated with keys because Jesus gave him the keys of Heaven & called him the ‘Rock of my church’ in Matthew 16:18. He is considered the first Bishop of Rome (Pope) and the crossed keys are still the symbol of the Papacy today, which claims its supremacy through apostolic succession to St Peter.

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According to tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome in 67AD under Emperor Nero following the Great Fire of Rome. Supposedly Peter requested the cross to be inverted because he was not worthy to die the same way as his Lord.

James, Son of Zebedee (James the Greater): scallop shell, pilgrims staff, key, sword, pilgrims hat pilgrim staff & hat

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First disciple to be martyred, 44AD in Jerusalem by King Herod Agrippa, recorded in Acts 12:1-2. He was either beheaded or stabbed publicly.

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The cockle shell symbol stems from his roots as a fisherman when called by Jesus.

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From the early Middle Ages onwards, the pilgrimage to St James’ grave in Jerusalem was the most popular of all among western European Catholics. Hence, the pilgrimage symbols of staff and hat.

John, the Beloved Disciple: EAGLE, Book, serpent in a cup

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John was the youngest Apostle and lived the longest- the only one to die naturally and the only one for whom there are no remains.

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Known as ‘the beloved’ disciple- it seems he was especially emotionally close to Jesus. Jesus connected his mother Mary with John while he was on the cross, so they could be a source of comfort to each other after his death.

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He was the only known one of the 12 disciples to witness Jesus crucifixion. He wrote the Gospel of John and towards the end of his life, probably 1, 2 & 3 John and the Book of Revelation.

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According to Tertullian, Emperor Domitian had John brought to Rome and had him beaten and poisoned, but the poison came out of the cup in the form of a snake and John drank it unharmed.

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Domitian then threw John into boiling oil at the Latin Gate. When he emerged alive, the Emperor took pity and banished him to Patmos instead. He died at Ephesus as an old man, around 98-101AD

Philip: column, basket of loaves, tau cross, square rule, tau cross & 2 loaves

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Philip was originally a disciple of John the Baptist but later joined Jesus. He introduced Nathaniel (Bartholomew) to Jesus, who also became a disciple.

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Philip’s symbol of the basket of loaves comes from John 6:7, when he expresses to Jesus the impossibility of feeding the 5,000.

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After the resurrection, Philip converted & baptised the Ethiopian Eunuch while travelling (Acts 8:26-40)

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According to tradition, Philip converted the wife of the Proconsul of Hierapolis. This enraged her husband who had Philip crucified upside down in 62AD. While hanging there, he continued to preach and the crowd attempted to release him, but he refused. Another tradition says he was stoned while hanging on the cross and yet another says Philip was beheaded at Hierapolis, Phrygia.

Bartholomew the Apostle: Knife & flayed skin knife over open book

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Also called Nathaniel, introduced to Jesus by his friend Philip. Jesus immediately told Nathaniel things about himself that convinced him he was the messiah. Described by Jesus as a ‘true Israelite, in whom there is no guile’

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Bartholomew was a nobleman- his name means ‘son of Ptolemy.’

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Tradition claims Bartholomew travelled as far as India, preaching the Gospel. On returning to Asia Minor he converted the Armenian King Polymius. The King’s brother, Astyages, ordered his execution in the Vaspuakan Province, Armenia.

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Beliefs vary on how he was killed. Some say he was beheaded (knife) but most hold that he was skinned alive in 72AD (skin).

Matthew: ANGEL / WINGED MAN, money bags

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Also called Levi. Was a tax collector in Capernaum meaning he was probably wealthy, dishonest and disliked by Jewish society.

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Wrote the Gospel of Matthew, aimed at a Jewish audience – which contains a lot of Jesus’ parables and teachings around money.

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Tradition says Matthew preached the faith in Africa and was martyred in 65AD while offering the Eucharist.

Thomas: spear, square rule, axe,

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Often called ‘doubting Thomas’ in the west because he denied the resurrection until he had seen the risen Jesus for himself. Interestingly, he’s known as ‘Thomas the Confessor’ in Eastern Orthodoxy because following his encounter with risen Jesus, Thomas is the first disciple to actually call him ‘my Lord and my God’.

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It is reasonably well attested that Thomas travelled through Persia to India, where he was martyred by being run through with a spear in Channai while at prayer in 72AD. He was 33 years old.

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His symbol is usually either a spear because of his death or a square rule because he was a builder and is believed to have built the first church in India and a palace for King Gudaphara.

James, Son of Alphius (James the Just / James the Lesser): square rule, halberd, club, saw

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James (called ‘the Just’ by Josephus) stayed in Jerusalem to save a remnant of the Jews. However, the ancients of the Jews took him to the pinnacle of the temple & threatened to throw him off unless he renounce Christ. He refused and was thrown

from the temple but was still alive when he hit the ground. A fuller came over &

dashed his head apart with a mallet in 62AD.

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Another tradition claims he was crucified at Ostrakine in Lower Egypt, where he was preaching.

Jude Thaddeus: sword, axe, square rule, club, ship fishing spear & square rule

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Is not mentioned specifically very much in Scripture.

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Brother of Simon the Zealot and James the Lesser.

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According to tradition, Jude was beaten to death with a club, then beheaded by sword or axe post-mortem, in Beruit, Syria, c.65AD. His body was taken to Rome and buried in St Peter’s Basillica.

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The Ship symbol stems from the belief that he was a fisherman before following Jesus.

Simon the Zealot: boat, saw, fish (or 2 fish), lance, oar saw & oar

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Considered the most obscure of all the apostles with the least mention in the gospels. Being a ‘zealot’ though it seems likely he saw Jesus as a warlike messiah figure who would overthrow the Romans and liberate Judaea. Clearly this perspective changes over time as, unlike Judas who became disillusioned & gave up hope, Simon became an apostle of the Good News.

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Also has the most conflict of traditional martyrdom. There are a long list of potential martyrdoms but the most widely accepted are:

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While ministering alongside his brother Jude, Simon was crucified in Edessa in 67AD (they are buried together in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome).

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Sawn in half in Suanir, Persia (where he gets his primary symbol of a saw from).

Judas Iscariot:

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Most likely a member of the Sicari, a group of anti-Roman Jewish rebels focused on assassination (hence the name ‘Iscariot’)

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Keeper of the moneybags during Jesus ministry. He would help himself to the money. Got angry at the woman who broke the alabaster jar of perfume on Jesus’ feet, saying she should have sold it & given the money instead (which he was stealing from).

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Most known for betraying Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane for 30 pieces of silver. He made a deal with the Sandehrin to betray Jesus, probably because he was disillusioned with Jesus’ ministry when it was clear he was not the violent rebel leader he thought the messiah would be.

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Judas immediately regretted his decision, throwing the money back into the temple and then hanging himself. The temple authorities used the silver to buy the field he died in, as it was deemed blood money.

BONUS: THE APOSTLE WHO REPLACED JUDAS ISCARIOT:

Matthias: axe, lance, spear Arabic sword over closed book

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Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth disciple, by the Holy Spirit through casting lots.

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He preached the faith in Judaea, Cappodecia, and the northern regions of Asia Minor near the Caspian Sea.

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Tradition varies- one claims he was stoned to death then beheaded post-mortem in Jerusalem in 63-65AD, another that he was crucified at Colchis (Ethiopia) in 80AD.

My Notes: Disciple =  a dedicated follower of Christ, changed by Jesus and is commited to the mission. 

Apostle = These were people sent by Jesus to spread the gospel after His death a resection. 

 Andrew – 

• Andrew was said to be the first follower of Jesus, he was the first called apostle 

• He was the brother of Simon Peter 

• He was a fisherman before Jesus called him 

• He lead his brother peter to Jesus 

• He was a follower of john the Baptist 

• He didn't write any books in the Bible but he was a missionary and spread the Gospel to many countries especially in the Mediterranean area. 

Simon Peter –  

• He was one of Jesus's three closest disciples who witnessed many miracles like the resurrection of Jirah's daughter and the transfiguration. 

• He was called the Rock/foundation of which the church is built. 

• He was the brother of Andrew 

James –  

• He was the son of Zebedee, and brother of John 

• He was A fisherman and got turned into a fisher of man. They were Galilean fisherman 

• He was called The "Son of Thunder" 

• James was one of the apostles that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection. 

• He was called as one of the pilers of the church in Jerusalem 

• He was called 'James the greater' 

• He was one of Jesus's three closest disciples who witnessed many miracles like the resurrection of Jirah's daughter and the transfiguration. 

• He was the first apostle to be martyred, he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa 

• He wrote the Book of James in the New testament 

John –  

• He was the son of Zebedee, and brother of James 

• He was the son of Zebedee, and brother of John 

• He was one of Jesus's three closest disciples who witnessed many miracles like the resurrection of Jirah's daughter and the transfiguration. 

• Jonh wrote the Gospel of John, The three epistles of John and the Book of Revelation 

• He was called as one of the pilers of the church in Jerusalem 

• John was one of the last apostles to die and was said that 

Phillip –  

• Phillip was one of the 12 closest to Jesus and spent 3 years traveling with him and witnessing his miracles. 

• He comes from Bethsaida 

• He didn't write any books and he may have been a  missionary 

• He was only mentioned 12 times in the Bible 

Bartholomew –  

• Not much information is given about his as he is only mentioned in the four lists. 

• He was the son of Talmai 

• It's been rumoured that he was Nethanel. 

• Phillip was one of the 12 closest to Jesus and spent 3 years traveling with him and witnessing his miracles. 

Matthew –  

Thomas –  

• Not much information is given about his as he is only mentioned in the four lists. 

• Phillip was one of the 12 closest to Jesus and spent 3 years traveling with him and witnessing his miracles. 

• He helped lay the foundation of the early church by learning from Jesus and then spreading the good news. 

• He was a carpenter before following Jesus 

James (son of Alphaeus) –  

• He was called " James the lesser" 

• Phillip was one of the 12 closest to Jesus and spent 3 years traveling with him and witnessing his miracles. 

• He helped lay the foundation of the early church by learning from Jesus and then spreading the good news. 

Thaddeus –  

• He helped lay the foundation of the early church by learning from Jesus and then spreading the good news. 

• He was a farmer and a missionary. 

• Not much information is given about his as he is only mentioned in the four lists. 

Simon –  

• He helped lay the foundation of the early church by learning from Jesus and then spreading the good news. 

• He was a Zealot and a missionary. 

• Not much information is given about his as he is only mentioned in the four lists.  

Matthias – 

• Matthias was a follower of Jesus since His early ministry event though he was only appointed at one of the 12 in Acts.  

•  It is rumoured the Matthias was one of the 70 people who Jesus sent out to minister in Luke 10. 

• He was a replacement for Judas. 

• He was chosen by casting lots. Which is taking our stones with names out of the jar. 

• Mattew and Matthais are versions of the same name. 

Summary: 

• The twelve disciples/apostles were ordinary men whom God used in an extraordinary manner. Among the twelve were fishermen, a tax collector, and a revolutionary. The Gospels record the constant failings, struggles, and doubts of these twelve men who followed Jesus Christ. After witnessing Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples/apostles into powerful men of God who turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). What was the change? The twelve apostles/disciples had “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). 

• What questions do you have about this…? 

The 12 disciples are each represented by a symbol in Christian art. Each symbol relates to that disciple's life &/or martyrdom. Have a look at the symbols below. Discuss with a friend what you think they might reveal about the disciples?