"a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit"         (James 2:15-16 NKJV)

The 12 Apostles:

Simon Peter

Andrew ( Brother of Peter)

James Son of zebedee

John Son of Zebedee

Philip " Evangelist"

Bartholomew

Thomas ( Doubting Thomas )

Matthew The Tax Collector

James Son of Alphaeus

Thaddeus also called Lebbaeus

Simon "The Zealot"

Judas Iscariot ( Betrayer)

BARTHOLOMEW 

son of Tolmai, one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:3; Acts 1:13); generally supposed to have been the same as Nathanael. In the synoptic gospels Philip and Bartholomew are always mentioned together, while Nathanael is never mentioned; in the fourth gospel, on the other hand, Philip and Nathanael are similarly mentioned together, but nothing is said of Bartholomew. He was one of the disciples to whom our Lord appeared at the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (John 21:2). He was also a witness of the Ascension (Acts 1:4,12,13). He was an "Israelite indeed" (John 1:47).

ANDREW

An apostle. A fisherman - Matthew 4:18

Of Bethsaida - John 1:44

A disciple of John - John 1:40

Finds Peter, his brother, and brings him to Jesus - John 1:40-42

Call of - Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:16

His name appears in the list of the apostles in - Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14

Asks the Master privately about the destruction of the temple - Mark 13:3,4

Tells Jesus of the Greeks who sought to see him - John 12:20-22

Reports the number of loaves at the feeding of the five thousand - John 6:8

Meets with the disciples after the Lord’s ascension - Acts 1:13

JAMES

The son of Zebedee and Salome; an elder brother of John the apostle. He was one of the twelve. He was by trade a fisherman, in partnership with Peter (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). With John and Peter he was present at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2), at the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37-43), and in the garden with our Lord (14:33). Because, probably, of their boldness and energy, he and John were called Boanerges, i.e., "sons of thunder." He was the first martyr among the apostles, having been beheaded by King Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1,2), A.D. 44. (Compare Matthew 4:21; 20:20-23).

The son of Alphaeus, or Cleopas, "the brother" or near kinsman or cousin of our Lord (Galatians 1:18,19), called James "the Less," or "the Little," probably because he was of low stature. He is mentioned along with the other apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). He had a separate interview with our Lord after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7), and is mentioned as one of the apostles of the circumcision (Acts 1:13). He appears to have occupied the position of head of the Church at Jerusalem, where he presided at the council held to consider the case of the Gentiles (Acts 12:17; 15:13-29: 21:18-24). This James was the author of the epistle which bears his name.

James the Less

 Called the Less because younger or smaller in stature than James the son of Zebedee. He was the son of Alpheus or Clopas and brother of our Lord (see above); was called to the apostolate, together with his younger brother Jude, in the spring of the year 28. At some time in the forty days that intervened between the resurrection and the ascension the Lord appeared to him. (1 Corinthians 15:7) Ten years after we find James on a level with Peter, and with him deciding on the admission of St. Paul into fellowship with the Church at Jerusalem; and from henceforth we always find him equal, or in his own department superior, to the very chiefest apostles, Peter, John and Paul. (Acts 9:27; Galatians 1:18,19) This pre-eminence is evident throughout the after history of the apostles, whether we read it in the Acts, in the epistles or in ecclesiastical writers. (Acts 12:17; 15:13,19; 21:18; Galatians 2:9) According to tradition, James was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

JOHN

One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John (Acts 4:6). He was of the kindred of the high priest; otherwise unknown.

The Hebrew name of Mark (q.v.). He is designated by this name in the acts of the Apostles (12:12,25; 13:5,13; 15:37).

THE APOSTLE, brother of James the "Greater" (Matthew 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; 3:17; 10:35). He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21) and Salome (Matthew 27:56; Compare Mark 15:40), and was born at Bethsaida. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (Compare Mark 1:20; Luke 5:3; John 19:27). He was doubtless trained in all that constituted the ordinary education of Jewish youth. When he grew up he followed the occupation of a fisherman on the Lake of Galilee. When John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness of Judea, John, with many others, gathered round him, and was deeply influenced by his teaching. There he heard the announcement, "Behold the Lamb of God," and forthwith, on the invitation of Jesus, became a disciple and ranked among his followers (John 1:36,37) for a time. He and his brother then returned to their former avocation, for how long is uncertain. Jesus again called them (Matthew 4:: 21; Luke 5:1-11), and now they left all and permanently attached themselves to the company of his disciples. He became one of the innermost circle (Mark 5:37; Matthew 17:1; 26:37; Mark 13:3). He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. In zeal and intensity of character he was a "Boanerges" (Mark 3:17). This spirit once and again broke out (Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41; Luke 9:49,54). At the betrayal he and Peter follow Christ afar off, while the others betake themselves to hasty flight (John 18:15). At the trial he follows Christ into the council chamber, and thence to the praetorium (18:16,19,28) and to the place of crucifixion (19:26,27). To him and Peter, Mary first conveys tidings of the resurrection (20:2), and they are the first to go and see what her strange words mean. After the resurrection he and Peter again return to the Sea of Galilee, where the Lord reveals himself to them (21:1,7). We find Peter and John frequently after this together (Acts 3:1; 4:13). John remained apparently in Jerusalem as the leader of the church there (Acts 15:6; Galatians 2:9). His subsequent history is unrecorded. He was not there, however, at the time of Paul's last visit (Acts 21:15-40). He appears to have retired to Ephesus, but at what time is unknown. The seven churches of Asia were the objects of his special care (Revelation 1:11). He suffered under persecution, and was banished to Patmos (1:9); whence he again returned to Ephesus, where he died, probably about A.D. 98, having outlived all or nearly all the friends and companions even of his maturer years. There are many interesting traditions regarding John during his residence at Ephesus, but these cannot claim the character of historical truth.  Revelation of John

MATTHEW

gift of God, a common Jewish name after the Exile. He was the son of Alphaeus, and was a publican or tax-gatherer at Capernaum. On one occasion Jesus, coming up from the side of the lake, passed the custom-house where Matthew was seated, and said to him, "Follow me." Matthew arose and followed him, and became his disciple (Matthew 9:9). Formerly the name by which he was known was Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27); he now changed it, possibly in grateful memory of his call, to Matthew. The same day on which Jesus called him he made a "great feast" (Luke 5:29), a farewell feast, to which he invited Jesus and his disciples, and probably also many of old associates. He was afterwards selected as one of the twelve (6:15). His name does not occur again in the Gospel history except in the lists of the apostles. The last notice of him is in Acts 1:13. The time and manner of his death are unknown.

Peter Simon

Also called SIMON BAR-JONA and CEPHAS - Matthew 16:16-19; Mark 3:16; John 1:42

  A fisherman - Matthew 4:18; Luke 5:1-7; John 21:3

  Call of - Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18; Luke 5:1-11

  His mother-in-law healed - Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:29,30; Luke 4:38

  An apostle - Matthew 10:2; 16:18,19; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13

  An evangelist - Mark 1:36,37

  Confesses Jesus to be the Messiah - Matthew 16:16-19; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20; John 6:68,69

  His presumption - In rebuking Jesus - Matthew 16:22,23; Mark 8:32,33

• When the throng was pressing Jesus and the woman with the blood disorder touched him  - Luke 8:45
• In refusing to let Jesus wash Peter’s feet - John 13:6-11

  Present

• At the healing of Jairus’ daughter - Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51
• At the transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-4; Mark 9:2-6; Luke 9:28-33; 2 Peter 1:16-18
• In the garden of Gethsemane - Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:33-42; Luke 22:40-46

  Seeks the interpretation -   Of the parable of the steward
Luke 12:41

  Of the law of forgiveness - Matthew 18:21

  Of the law of defilement - Matthew 15:15

  Of the prophecy of Jesus concerning his second coming - Mark 13:3,4

  Walks upon the water of Lake Galilee - Matthew 14:28-31

  Sent with John to prepare the Passover meal - Luke 22:8

  Calls attention to the withered fig tree - Mark 11:21

  His treachery foretold by Jesus, and his profession of fidelity - Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38

  Cuts off the ear of Malchus - Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50

  Follows Jesus to the high priest’s palace - Matthew 26:58; Mark 14:54; Luke 22:54; John 18:15

  His denial of Jesus, and his repentance - Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:17,18,25-27

  Visits the gravesite of Jesus - Luke 24:12; John 20:2-6

  Jesus sends message to, after the resurrection - Mark 16:7

  Jesus appears to - Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:4,5

  Present at Lake Tiberias when Jesus appeared to his disciples; jumps into the water, and comes to shore when Jesus is recognized; is commissioned to feed the flock of Christ - John 21:1-23

  Lives in Jerusalem - Acts 1:13

  His statement in front of the disciples concerning the death of Judas, and his recommendation that the vacancy in the apostleship be filled - Acts 1:15-22

  Preaches on Pentecost day - Acts 2:14-40

  Heals the immobile man in the portico of the temple - Acts 3

  Accused by the council; his defense - Acts 4:1-23

  Foretells the death of Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11

  Imprisoned and scourged; his defense before the council -
Acts 5:17-42

  Goes to Samaria - Acts 8:14

  Prays for the reception of the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit-
Acts 8:15-18

  Rebukes Simon, the sorcerer, who desires to purchase this power-
Acts 8:18-24

  Returns to Jerusalem - Acts 8:25

  Receives Paul - Galatians 1:18; 2:9

  Visits Lydda; heals Aeneas - Acts 9:32-34

  Visits Joppa; stays with Simon, the tanner; raises Dorcas from the dead - Acts 9:36-43

  Has a vision of a sheet containing ceremonially clean and unclean animals - Acts 10:9-16

  Receives the servant of the centurion; goes to Caesarea; preaches and immerses the centurion and his household - Acts 10

  Advocates the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles in the hearing of the apostles and elders - Acts 11:1-18; 15:7-11

  Imprisoned and delivered by an angel - Acts 12:3-19

  Writes two epistles - 1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1

PHILIP

lover of horses.

 One of the twelve apostles; a native of Bethsaida, "the city of Andrew and Peter" (John 1:44). He readily responded to the call of Jesus when first addressed to him (43), and forthwith brought Nathanael also to Jesus (45,46). He seems to have held a prominent place among the apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; John 6:5-7; 12:21,22; 14:8,9; Acts 1:13). Of his later life nothing is certainly known. He is said to have preached in Phrygia, and to have met his death at Hierapolis.

 One of the "seven" (Acts 6:5), called also "the evangelist" (21:8,9). He was one of those who were "scattered abroad" by the persecution that arose on the death of Stephen. He went first to Samaria, where he laboured as an evangelist with much success (8:5-13). While he was there he received a divine command to proceed toward the south, along the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. These towns were connected by two roads. The one Philip was directed to take was that which led through Hebron, and thence through a district little inhabited, and hence called "desert." As he travelled along this road he was overtaken by a chariot in which sat a man of Ethiopia, the eunuch or chief officer of Queen Candace, who was at that moment reading, probably from the Septuagint version, a portion of the prophecies of (Isaiah 53:6,7). Philip entered into conversation with him, and expounded these verses, preaching to him the glad tidings of the Saviour. The eunuch received the message and believed, and was forthwith baptized, and then "went on his way rejoicing." Philip was instantly caught away by the Spirit after the baptism, and the eunuch saw him no more. He was next found at Azotus, whence he went forth in his evangelistic work till he came to Caesarea. He is not mentioned again for about twenty years, when he is still found at Caesarea (Acts 21:8) when Paul and his companions were on the way to Jerusalem. He then finally disappears from the page of history.

 Mentioned only in connection with the imprisonment of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19). He was the son of Herod the Great, and the first husband of Herodias, and the father of Salome. (See HEROD PHILIP I.)

 The "tetrarch of Ituraea" (Luke 3:1); a son of Herod the Great, and brother of Herod Antipas. The city of Caesarea-Philippi was named partly after him (Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27). (See HEROD PHILIP II.)

Judas Thaddeus

 one of the twelve apostles. (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18) From a comparison with the catalogue of St. Luke, (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13) it seems scarcely possible to doubt that the three names, of Judas, Lebbeus and Thaddeus were borne by one and the same person.

called also LEBBEUS and THADDEUS, Authorized Version "Judas the brother of James," one of the twelve apostles. The name of Jude occurs only once in the Gospel narrative. (John 14:22; Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16; John 14:22; Acts 1:13) Nothing is certainly known of the later history of the apostle. Tradition connects him with the foundation of the church at Edessa.

 Judas Iscariot

Son of Simon (John 6:71; 13:2,26), surnamed Iscariot, i.e., a man of Kerioth (Joshua 15:25). His name is uniformly the last in the list of the apostles, as given in the synoptic (i.e., the first three) Gospels. The evil of his nature probably gradually unfolded itself till "Satan entered into him" (John 13:27), and he betrayed our Lord (18:3). Afterwards he owned his sin with "an exceeding bitter cry," and cast the money he had received as the wages of his iniquity down on the floor of the sanctuary, and "departed and went and hanged himself" (Matthew 27:5). He perished in his guilt, and "went unto his own place" (Acts 1:25). The statement in Acts 1:18 that he "fell headlong and burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out," is in no way contrary to that in Matthew 27:5. The sucide first hanged himself, perhaps over the valley of Hinnom, "and the rope giving way, or the branch to which he hung breaking, he fell down headlong on his face, and was crushed and mangled on the rocky pavement below."

Why such a man was chosen to be an apostle we know not, but it is written that "Jesus knew from the beginning who should betray him" (John 6:64). Nor can any answer be satisfactorily given to the question as to the motives that led Judas to betray his Master. "Of the motives that have been assigned we need not care to fix on any one as that which simply led him on. Crime is, for the most part, the result of a hundred motives rushing with bewildering fury through the mind of the criminal."

  A Jew of Damascus (Acts 9:11), to whose house Ananias was sent. The street called "Straight" in which it was situated is identified with the modern "street of bazaars," where is still pointed out the so-called "house of Judas."

  A Christian teacher, surnamed Barsabas. He was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas with the decision of the council (Acts 15:22,27,32). He was a "prophet" and a "chief man among the brethren."

THOMAS

 twin, one of the twelve (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18, etc.). He was also called Didymus (John 11:16; 20:24), which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name. All we know regarding him is recorded in the fourth Gospel (John 11:15,16; 14:4,5; 20:24,25,26-29). From the circumstance that in the lists of the apostles he is always mentioned along with Matthew, who was the son of Alphaeus (Mark 3:18), and that these two are always followed by James, who was also the son of Alphaeus, it has been supposed that these three, Matthew, Thomas, and James, were brothers.