Death of the Apostles
Here we look at the death of the apostles which is often asked by the question “How did the Apostles die?”. Research shows us that it is not always straightforward to answer the question correctly for the very simple reason that much of the knowledge is gone.
Although much of the lives of some of the Holy Apostles are unknown, we do know that several of the Apostles became martyrs but how did the apostles die?
We know of the original twelve disciples; the men who, during the three years of His ministry, walked with Jesus. In Scripture, we are given an introduction to the twelve when we are told how and when Jesus chose each man.
It follows that throughout the Gospels, many events are given which offer us insight into the apostles and their interaction with Our Lord.
We know more about some than others but do we know how the apostles died?
the 12 ApostlesGo and Make Disciples of All Nations
Jesus’ last words to his disciples were,
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
And this is exactly what they did.
They went to different places in the world, teaching the “Good News.”
We are told some things about their lives after Pentecost but we know little about how the apostles died. Of the twelve, Scripture tells us of the deaths of only two of these men: James and Judas.
To start the list of the death of the Apostles with Judas the Traitor is more because we all know the story. Some might say that Judas was not an apostle, we do add him here because he was one of the original 12 disciples.
Judas, overtaken by guilt and without an understanding of Jesus’ forgiveness, committed suicide. (Matthew 27: 3-5).
Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying,
“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”
They said,
“What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
The Death of the other Apostles
In answer to the question, How Did the Apostles Die? we’ll go to the other ten original apostles giving what information we have found about how they died.
Saint-Pierre
the Catholic Church believes Peter to have been the first pope.
Church tradition tells us that Peter was killed by Emperor Nero in approximately 64 AD.
A second-century apocryphal text called Acts of Peter was the first account claiming Peter was crucified upside down, which was apparently because he didn’t consider himself worthy of dying the same death as Jesus.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus, although somewhat cryptically, tells Peter of this destiny when He says,
“Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (John 21:18)
Peter was martyred on a cross. He requested to be crucified head downward for he believed that he was not worthy to die in the same way as Jesus had died.
Peter was approximately 64 years old when he died.
His apostolic symbol is a cross upside down with crossed keys.
Saint James the Greater
“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.”
The Jews wanted to prevent Christianity from spreading and King Herod was eager to acquire popularity with them. He believed that persecuting Christians would help him accomplish this popularity. Scholars generally believe James was killed in Jerusalem in 44 AD.
In the fourth century, Eusebius of Caesarea quoted Clement of Alexandria about James’ death:
“It appears that the guard who brought him into court was so moved when he saw him testify that he confessed that he, too, was a Christian. So they were both taken away together, and on the way, he asked James to forgive him. James thought for a moment, then he said ‘I wish you peace,’ and kissed him. So both were beheaded at the same time.” (Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History)
Saint James was approximately 40 years old when he was martyred.
His apostolic symbol is a sword.
Saint André
Sadly, the origin of this account is not dependable. The apocryphal book from which it comes also includes many accounts of miracles performed by Andrew. One, in particular, asserts that he preached non-stop for three days as he hung on the cross.
Andrew died at approximately 50 years old.
His apostolic symbol is an X-shaped cross.
Saint Philippe
While it is not certain how the apostle, Philip, died, it is believed that he died around 80 AD in the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis. Polycrates of Ephesus.
The Acts of Philip offers the most thorough account of his death.
This account tells that Philip converted the wife of an Official of Ancient Rome. The official became so angry at this that he had both Philip and Bartholomew crucified upside down. While hanging there, Philip preached. The crowd became encouraged by his preaching and asked that he be released. The Official released Bartholomew but not Philip.
One of the symbols of Saint Philip is a basket, because of his part in the feeding of the five thousand.
Saint-Barthélemy
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Another account is in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs which claims that in India,
“He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.”
The Golden Legend (Lives of the Saints) notes several accounts:
“There be diverse opinions of the manner of his passion. For the blessed Dorotheus saith that he was crucified, and saith also: Bartholomew preached to men of India and delivered to them the gospel after Matthew in their proper tongue. He died in Alban, a city of great Armenia, crucified the head downward.
Saint Theodorus saith that he was flayed, and it is read in many books that he was beheaded only. And this contrariety may be assoiled in this manner, that some say that he was crucified and was taken down ere he died, and for to have greater torment he was flayed and at the last beheaded.”
Saint-Thomas
An early ecclesiastical calendar entry reads:
“3 July, Saint Thomas who was pierced with a lance in ‘India’.”
There is no further information or tradition regarding his death.
Thomas was approximately 61 years old when he died.
His apostolic symbol is a spear.
Saint Matthieu
“But neither will this utterance be found to be spoken universally; for all the saved have confessed with the confession made by the voice, and departed. Of whom are Matthew, Philip, Thomas, Levi, and many others.” (Stromata)
However, most scholars don’t accept Heracleon’s account. Because they are closer to the time when the events actually happened, earlier records are considered to be more dependable. Earlier accounts agree that Saint Matthieu was martyred. Disagreement is in that they do not agree on how or where this occurred. The choices are, burned, beheaded, stoned, or stabbed.
John Foxe’s famous Book of Martyr’s record of Matthew states:
“The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.”
Saint Jacques le mineur
Tradition tells us that while he was preaching, he was pushed from the peak of a temple, beaten with a club, and then stoned to death. Another tradition, however, claims that he preached in Egypt and was crucified there, in the city of Ostrakine.
Hippolyte, un théologien qui a vécu aux deuxième et troisième siècles, aurait enregistré la mort de Jacques dans Sur les douze apôtres du Christ : . Il mourut en 62 après JC.
Le symbole apostolique de Jacques le Petit est une scie de charpentier et une massue de foulon.
Saint Simon le Zélote
Au cinquième siècle, Moïse de Chorène écrivit que Simon le Zélote avait été martyrisé dans le royaume d'Ibérie.
La légende dorée dit qu'il fut martyrisé en Perse en 65 après JC.
Les chrétiens éthiopiens croient qu'il a été crucifié en Samarie.
Au XVIe siècle, Justus Lipsius prétendait avoir été scié en deux.
La tradition orientale prétend qu'il est mort de vieillesse à Edesse.
Donc, en réalité, on ne sait pas avec certitude comment il est mort.
Saint John
C'est là qu'il a écrit qu'il a écrit le livre de l'Apocalypse. Il est finalement retourné à Éphèse où il est mort de mort naturelle.
Tertullien, un écrivain chrétien de la fin du IIe et du début du IIIe siècle, a écrit qu'avant que les Romains ne bannissent Jean, ils l'avaient emmené dans un colisée et l'avaient plongé dans une cuve d'huile bouillante. Quand il est sorti indemne, tout le Colisée s'est converti au christianisme. C'est pourquoi certaines iconographies montrent Jean dans une cuve d'huile bouillante.
Saint Jude
En conclusion, comment les apôtres sont-ils morts ?
La question « Comment les apôtres sont-ils morts ? » est comme vous pouvez le lire pas facile de répondre. Les récits de la mort de certains des apôtres sont considérés comme l'histoire de l'Église et ne sont pas débattus. Les récits de la mort d'autres apôtres sont contradictoires, alors la façon dont ces apôtres sont morts peut être discutable. Ce qui n'est pas douteux, c'est l'amour que ces hommes avaient pour Jésus et leur dévouement à prêcher sa parole.
Ressources
Eusèbe de Césarée, Histoire de l'Église ; https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eusebius-of-Caesarea
Les Actes de Philippe ; https://www.gnosis.org/library/actphil.htm
le Livre des Martyrs de Foxe ; https://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/home.html
La Légende Dorée ; https://www.christianiconography.info/goldenLegend/bartholomew.htm
Les Actes de Thomas ; https://www.gnosis.org/library/actthom.htm
Héracléon ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracleon
Hippolyte, Sur les douze apôtres du Christ ; https://biblehub.com/library/hippolytus/the_extant_works_and_fragments_of_hippolytus/hippolytus_on_the_twelve_apostles_.htm
Les Actes de Simon et Jude ~ La légende dorée; https://www.christianiconography.info/goldenLegend/simonAndJude.htm
Moïse de Chorène ; https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10598a.htm
le juge Lipsius ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justus_Lipsius