They may be the most famous entourage of all time.
Often referred to as “the Twelve,” the Twelve Apostles were Jesus’ earliest disciples, accompanying him on his journeys to spread the gospel. They were simple men, commoners, regular folk, but they gave up everything to follow Jesus. Matthew 10:2-4 records their names as such:
"The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."
But what happened to them? The Bible records the deaths of two, Judas and James, but biblical tradition holds that all, save John, were martyred for their faiths.
Learning the Apostles' Full Story
We stumbled on this incredibly detailed infographic from Diverse Travel:
This got us inspired, so we decided to consult the gospels to learn what happened to each of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, including their often violent ends.
Note: most historians agree that at least some of these people existed, but there is no definitive proof beyond their inclusion in the gospels and in various apocryphal texts. Historicity aside, these 12 figures remain important characters in Christianity and in its growth around the world. Below are their supposed fates, according to the available writings.
Peter
As their natural leader, Peter is the disciple mentioned most in the New Testament. A fisherman by trade, Peter was close with Jesus and witnessed more of his miracles than the other apostles, making him an important figure in Christian theology. Per Catholic tradition, Peter was the first pope.
Fate: Crucified by Nero. Peter requested he be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
Andrew
Peter’s brother Andrew was the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Prior to meeting Jesus, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist. He later traveled as far as modern-day Russia to preach the gospels, and is thus the patron saint of Ukraine, Romania, and Russia.
Fate: Crucified in the Greek city of Patras circa 60 AD. Like his brother, he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus, so he was crucified on an ‘X’ shape, which came to be known as Saint Andrew’s Cross.
James the Great
Known as James the Great or James Son of Zebedee, he was the first apostle to be martyred. James was one of Jesus’ inner three alongside his brother John and Peter, and was called a ‘son of thunder’ by Jesus, likely for his temper.
Fate: Beheaded at the behest of King Herod.
John
Brother to James the Great and another member of Jesus’ inner circle, John is generally agreed by biblical scholars to be the author of the Gospel of John. After the crucifixion, John, “the beloved disciple,” looked after Jesus’ mother Mary. John is also credited with writing the Book of Revelation, although scholars are not in full agreement on whether John the Apostle and John of Patmos were the same man.
Fate: The only apostle to die of natural causes in old age.
Thomas
A minor apostle best known for doubting Jesus’ resurrection (and thus coming to be known as ‘Doubting Thomas’), it’s believed Thomas went to preach in India following the resurrection.
Fate: Pierced through the chest with a spear.
Philip
Another minor apostle, Philip is only mentioned eight times in the New Testament - and four of those are just lists of the apostles. He is perhaps best known for being repeatedly confused with Philip the Evangelist by the early church.
Fate: Accounts differ due to early church confusion, but he was likely hanged, stoned, or crucified.
Matthew
Matthew was a tax collector, one of the most reviled jobs in all Israel. An unscrupulous career where money is made by skimming cash off the top when collecting taxes from Jews to pay the Romans, it is thus a sign of Jesus’ grace that Matthew was included in his company. After the resurrection, Matthew brought the gospels to Africa.
Fate: King Hircanus of Ethiopia had him stabbed through with a spear.
Bartholomew
Also known as Nathanael, Bartholomew is perhaps the most obscure apostle, rarely mentioned in the gospels outside of lists of the apostles. Following the resurrection, Bartholomew traveled Armenia and India spreading the word of Jesus.
Fate: Reports differ, but he was either flayed alive, beheaded, or both.
James the Less
The other James, he is only ever mentioned in scripture in lists of the apostles. He is perhaps best known for being confused with James Son of Zebedee, and Jesus’ brother James.
Fate: Unclear given early church confusion on his identity, but likely beaten and stoned to death in Jerusalem.
Jude (Thaddeus)
Like James the Less, Jude is known largely for confusion over whether he was also Jesus’ brother Jude. He is also referred to as Thaddeus, which is believed to be a nickname. Little is known of him otherwise, although it is believed he ministered in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Libya.
Fate: Clubbed then struck with an ax.
Simon
Simon the Zealot is another of the lesser known apostles. He is perhaps best known for controversy over his title; Early translations of the word kananaios misunderstood Simon as a Canaanite, when this in fact can be translated to ‘the zealous one.’
Fate: Sawn in half in Persia.
Judas Iscariot
Easily the most well known apostle, Judas betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane for 30 pieces of silver. Little is known of Judas’ early life, but it is known that he followed Jesus for three years and was the group’s treasurer. Judas betrayed Jesus at the last supper by identifying him with a kiss, sealing Jesus’ fate. His name is now synonymous with the word traitor, though he came to regret his betrayal.
Fate: The Bible itself is unclear. In Matthew it is stated that he hanged himself, but Acts states he died accidentally in a fall.
62 comments
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
Although Judas was given bad-rap, for without what Judas did, there wouldn’t have ever been any Christianity; ergo, without the supposed crucifixion, there wouldn’t have ever been any Christianity, and without having a one and only son, the Christian God would have never had anyone to die, due to having been crucified, ergo, there would be no Christians wearing a Roman torture device around their necks, or on the highest place on top of places, where they worship the father who had his only son, tortured to death, via crucifixion . Ergo, Judas was the most important disciple, and should be acknowledged accordingly
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
HuJudas was Jesus 'gay lover, who caught Jesus cheating on him with Peter. That him, and is the only reason why he sñitched on Jesus. Now they're bouncing up and ! down on each other's laps on the throne next to go god the father who's watching intently while pigging out on popcorn, like he's at his favorite picture show !
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Adam Kahn
I agree about Judas.
You should find and read Judas' Gospel.
Gospel of Judas is a very interesting Gospel, apparently written by Judas, but (as not matching the agenda) being rejected by the Official Church (c) (tm)
And in addition I want to bring a quote from books of the Talmud.
It also may be interesting to those people who want to know real story and the truth.
Here we go:
"The mishna teaches that a crier goes out before the condemned man. This indicates that it is only before him, i.e., while he is being led to his execution, that yes, the crier goes out, but from the outset, before the accused is convicted, he does not go out. The Gemara raises a difficulty: But isn’t it taught in a baraita: On Passover Eve they hung the corpse of Jesus the Nazarene after they killed him by way of stoning. And a crier went out before him for forty days, publicly proclaiming: Jesus the Nazarene is going out to be stoned because he practiced sorcery, incited people to idol worship, and led the Jewish people astray. Anyone who knows of a reason to acquit him should come forward and teach it on his behalf. And the court did not find a reason to acquit him, and so they stoned him and hung his corpse on Passover eve.
Ulla said: And how can you understand this proof? Was Jesus the Nazarene worthy of conducting a search for a reason to acquit him? He was an inciter to idol worship, and the Merciful One states with regard to an inciter to idol worship: “Neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him” (Deuteronomy 13:9). Rather, Jesus was different, as he had close ties with the government, and the gentile authorities were interested in his acquittal. "
(Sanhedrin 43a: 20-21)
Maybe all the story that we hear from Christian priests was in actuality... kinda completely different??
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Couldn't there have been more tha
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Adam Kahn
You're right, there is actually much more than that.
Jesus was not Jewish, according to the Talmud itself.
Religious Jewish rabbies never officially recognized Jesus as being Jewish. Because He never was.
Mary (the mother) was a Gentile ("niddah" in Hebrew, means "dirty", the term of the Talmud that describes, quote: "all Gentile women as being dirty since birth"). Joseph was just a step-father, more caregiver than husband. And in regard to the real (biological) father of Jesus... it is still a secret behind many doors and locks, and only the few know the correct answer...
But the bottom line is the same: Jesus wasn't Jewish.
Even more, Jesus was very critical of the Jewish G-d (YHWH), read it in the Bible in John 8:44 and in Mathew 10:5-6.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
Amen.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Thank you for saying that. I’ve always believed that Judas was used as a pawn and couldn’t have been sent to hell. Without him there would be no crucifixion of Jesus.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Hockey dookey. I’ve thought this was weird since I was a kid. SUPPOSEDLY Jesus was pulling off some heavy duty magic. In areas that didn’t have the population of NYC. Should have been easy for the Romans to get an ID on the dude putting wine makers out of business, not to mention the impact on restaurants selling fish.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I bet the Romans were getting drunk on his wine and eating his fish. He shouldn't have quit supplying them with it. I can see how that would have pissed them off.
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ServantOfJudgement
Not so William. The vile corrupt nature of Judas Iscariot can be found abundantly in the vast majority of humanity. Judas did nothing special other than be his corrupted self, unwilling to believe in our Lord The Christ or better said, believed in money more that Truth. Consider a glass of sand where Iscariot is a grain of sand at the bottom. Remove him and he is replaced by any one of thousands, all willing to rush to the bottom. In fact, God refers to us clay and himself as the potter. When clay vessels have defects they are broken and cast into the potter's field as rubbish, which is where Iscariot hanged himself and was broken open. Regarding the importance of the twelve disciples, it is a matter of perspective. From the perspective of the atheist or antichrist, all are equally irrelevant. To the Christian all carry a vital message and unique method of conveyance, even the betrayer Judas Iscariot. Through Iscariot we can see the rejection of The Christ leads to self realized shame and undignified death. From the perspective of our Creator we can safely say he selected the twelve for a specific purpose and rendered each of equal importance. Indeed, our Lord has leveled us all equal. It is the folly of man to assign superiority to ourselves against one another. The professor is the idiot in the eyes of our Lord. From what I've been hearing from professors I'd say The King nailed it square.
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Don James Buckel
Comment removed by user.
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Lawrence A. Benson
As interesting as this article may seem, nothing is stated as fact, or proved (sources) with facts. It's articles like this that give some religions a bad rap.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Lawrence, it's religions like Christianity that deserve a bad rap. And I'm glad I'm able to help.
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David George Promis
They died…moving on!
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CB Cuff
Minus all their hair, they all look the same. Maybe there was only one man posing????
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Brien
I must admit the sheer amount of imagination needed to fuel mythology is astounding. And the color over lay is great! As a Star Trek fan I would like to request an over lay of all the characters in the Trek universe! 👽 I would say the short answer to the question of what happened is they died, but since like everything else involving this belief we're talking fiction you can make up whatever answer you wish. Why do most all the stories we deal with here involve catholic/christian beliefs? Here at the ULC there is so much more. Maybe we can talk about other beliefs that don't involve so much fiction? Peace ✌
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Muslim
If anyone of those disciples had died with Jesus on a cross right next to him they would be with him in The True Life right now. But they all repudiated Jesus and thereby repudiated his message after having accepted it. They committed HIGH TREASON against The Holy Spirit. And a traitor is put to death immediately while a soldier of a foreign army who is captured is held captive until the war is over and is returned to his or her country of origin. So their punishment was that they had to preach to others who may or may not have been Tribe of Judah not being qualified to Preach Jesus having committed HIGH TREASON against The Holy Spirit. Which is why they did not convert anyone but got beheaded axed burned and run through with spears and worse for their trouble. Same with Paul (formerly Saul) who was dubbed the "Apostle to the Gentiles" by Jesus himself AS PUNISHMENT for persecuting and even killing Tribe of Judah Christians. Paul reaped from the Gentiles what he had sown among the Tribe of Judah. Disobedience has consequences. Obedience has its corresponding consequences. Earthly life is what the Elohim wanted it to be not what you or I want it to be. Satan was REPRIEVED by Allah 6000 some years ago to have his fun with jinn and humans until an Appointed Day. Only Allah can help you against Satan if you will accept the Will of I AM as something perfect, that is, if you will accept Islam. Jesus cannot help you against The Evil Spirit unless you are Tribe of Judah ("My message is not for The Gentiles." - Jesus) but THAT Tribe was DISPERSED into DIASPORA 2000 years ago. So Israel TODAY is far far far from what he (it) was when Jehovah liked him. The Gentiles have turned "Love your enemy." into "Kill a Commie for Christ." But don't worry about it at all. Under Trump or DeSantis or even Nikki Haley you will be able to Join Hamas U.S.A. or Islamic State U.S.A. or Al-Shabaab U.S.A. Who else can successfully oppose the Great Satan U.S.A. but those who see the loss of all things on the Field of Battle as a more SATISFYING FATE than victory? The Gendarmes of Satan (I.D.F. and the Police and Military of the U.S.A.) are not willing to blow themselves up in THEIR cause but JIHAD CAN BE THAT!
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ServantOfJudgement
Back when Hillary Clinton and President Trump were running for office I had a premission that if Hillary took the office USA would rot from the inside like cancer and be destroyed. If Trump took the office we would be attacked by outside forces and possibly prevail. I chalked it up to an overactive imagination when trump lost his second term until the current events unfolded.
With radical islam(and other hostiles) pouring through the southern border with hopes of a murderous jihad against the sleeping Americans plus Trump looking good for 2024 perhaps my premonition was legit. I don't think Biden knows what he's done but his handlers sure do. The jihad you crave may very well happen, right here on our soil.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
I’ve always figured you for a Trump supporter.
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ServantOfJudgement
Naw Z, I don't like the guy.
He's the only Christian I know of that says he's never sinned. Loyalty to ones spouse is high on my list of demands from a president as well. He's one of the specific types of leaders god lists from the old testament as a sign of imminent judgement. 'Mature men that act as children will be given as your king.'. These types lead to war if you haven't noticed.Biden is also a type of person god identified as a sign of immanent judgement. Old senile decrepit kings will be given. Those types fall asleep at the wheel and are ruled by their corrupt advisors. See southern USA border... As the member Muslim eludes to, Jihad is on their mind and many are making it in through the border, so says the fed.
The Clinton's kill too many people off for my tummy to tolerate plus the male version is an adulterer like Trump so they're no good either.
If we remove the supernatural component from the old testament we're left with a very thorough listing of cause and effect with the documented final outcome when we have terrible leaders, leadership like we've had for the last several decades.
All are terrible I guess. Bummer. We had a good run though huh?
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Personally, I think that Bernie Sanders was a good candidate and a good man. I had never voted for President before, but when Bernie ran I supported him in the primary against Clinton. I hear there were some shady dealings going on at the DNC but I’m not sure that is election fraud. Bernie was never a Democrat but an independent I think he’s a moral man. So I had to go out and vote. I had never liked Trump, but listening to him while I was reading. The news of the primary just got me to the point that I knew I had to vote. I had never voted in a presidential election before. I had only voted once before to try to get the racist, religiously, delusional, redneck, Jesse Helms out of office. I voted not for Clinton, but against Trump. Ditto the following year.
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Nanlisha Diane Stewart
Religion & Politics SHOULD NOT be discussed together. A bunch of liars, crooks, & thieves in one hand lying, stealing, degrading each other and making FALSE promises while their pockets catch the mumps, and a bunch of false prophets in the other hand that only memorize certain scriptures to make themselves look good while standing at the pulpit lusting on the Sister on the front row or so close up in the Pastor’s face & space grinning hard & smelling of cheap perfume til he feels violated.
FYI: That chump Trump is NOT the President, but you can keep drinking his koolaid!
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Tecla Caryl Loup
Twelve apostles, twelve signs of the zodiac. Back when I was a college freshman and took some anthropology courses, I noticed the "magical" numbers--of course 2. And then three (trinity), four (4 elements), prime numbers such as 5, 7, 11 and 13 to start with. These numbers appear in many religions all over the world throughout history and no doubt prehistory. So no surprise that they appear in the New Testament. If much of the bible is symbolic, then I would guess that this is, too. Or else Jesus knew how to pick 'em.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Also Tecla, when you add Jesus to the twelve you get the number of a coven of Witches.
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ServantOfJudgement
I was aware that all but John were murdered. John was boiled in oil but the attempt at murder didn't take. He was removed from the boiling oil unharmed. Many of the romans watching in the colosseum were converted from the event. Fear of him caused his banishment to the island of Patmos by Emperor Dometian. There on the island, John would reveal mankind's final march with Satan towards their own destruction.
Pagans and atheists started a very long and endless rampage of murderous torture against innocent Christians. Reasons need not be given and the only requirement was believing in Jesus and his message. Even now laws are turning on Christians when we see the Federal Government is requesting bible purchase data from financial institutions intending on flagging Christian citizens as extremists. Warning!
When Jesus told his apostles and us we would have to protect ourselves he wasn't using a parable. He knew those two thousand years ago what mankind would do to his believers today and tomorrow.
To the Christian reading this, be kind, be generous, be helpful, be a good servant to fellow man, be aware, be vigilant, be wise and above all else be faithful. Use this platform to make yourself aware just how much hate the average atheist and pagan has towards Christianity.
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Rev. J. Blaine
With all four gospels having been written anonymously and many, many years after the alleged events they describe, none of which can be verified, it's safe to say that any reference to the demise of any of the apostles is purely folklore. Of all the books of the New Testament, only six of Paul's letters do scholars and historians agree are authentic. So, at the point validation and mystery meet - folklore, superstition, and legends are born. It is at the point that we go around suggesting any of these stories are true to the letter, we become deficient in the intellectual capacity of humanity.
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Ike Carroll
Thank you and God bless you
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Kevin Oconnell
Thank you for the information
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Russel A. Kester
This article was wonderful. I appreciate being better informed. Since we meet fellow ministers from many faith traditions, learning about them like this is truly helpful and appreciated.
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Colleen McAllister
Without stating your sources this article is worth nothing.
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Lionheart
But aren't your sources only from a book, that you hang your faith on (please excuse the pub) written by people that never met those they wrote about? Just how good and reliable are any of these resources?
🦁❤️
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
And don't forget that they never once stated a date for when anything happened in the bible.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Didn't St. Judas tell Jesus that he was going to snitch on her, while they were having sex. And Jesus looked him in the eye, after raising her head from between his legs, and said "Preposterous, you don't have the nerve"!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Couldn't there have been more than one man named Jesus? Although it seems like a strange name to me it could have been fairly common during his time, in that part of the world. And two or more people with the same name being accused of the same or similar crimes, even in the same neck of the woods doesn't seem hard to believe iether. So one of them was crucified and the other was stoned to death. That doesn't seem hard to believe iether.
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Wayne Edward Kilmer
I see a lot of opinions (beliefs) here and all have a right to those opinions and the right to express them. Statements made by those who do not use their real name are non-sequitur.
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Lionheart
Why do they all have a ring around their heads, apart from that one dude in the white collar that looks as though he’s about to raise an objection? 🤔
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Paul Andrew Breda
John is NOT generally agreed by biblical scholars to be the author of the Gospel of John. That gospel was the last of the four to be written, likely 60-90 years after the crucifixion. The idea that the disciples were literate (maybe with the exception of Matthew?) is really a stretch, especially when you consider they were written in Greek.
I didn't find this article offered adequate substantiation.
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Lionheart
There is no evidence that any of the “supposed gospels” were written by those who were classed as disciples. Those stories were authored by people who never met those they wrote about.
🦁❤️
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Rev. Uncle-Fatty
Suggestion for another 'related' topic... The Red Letter Verses / The Red Letter Bible With Peter being the 'best friend' of Jesus, and a major contributor to the new testament in general... Why are the chapters of Matthew, Mark, James, and Luke considered to contain the Red Letters... aka: the actual words that were spoken by the man, Himself..?
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Lionheart
In what way was Peter a major contributor to the NT?
Was he the one, who wasn't there, who wrote about Jesus in fine detail, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he was “all alone” speaking to his imaginary dad? 🤷🏼
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Susan Christine Giganti
The Red Letter Bibles are a study guide to help people learn what Jesus supposedly said. What Jesus actually said was passed down verbally , then written down, translated and retranslated over centuries. There are more accounts of Jesus and Apostles in other books. The other books didn’t get accepted into a Bible that the Catholic Church was attempting to create for Western European culture. No published Bible is the final definitive version. No Bible can quote verbatim what was said, it can pass down what has been written. It is not infallible, it’s a guide for people. If you believe in Jesus, the New Testament is your guidepost.
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Homeless Veteran
What ever happen to the prisoner that was released when Jesus was imprisoned? Did he write a gospel?
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Estrella Ruth Rojas
Barabas was the criminal released in exchange for Yeshua. But there is an early church disciple, apostle Barnabas that started a church in Cypriot. He possibly wrote a book.
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Samuel Tamayo
Why can't we just all be happy for them all , They did as they were instructed. They knew their reward after it was all said and done with . Simple; keep the faith , Fight the good fight come home when you are done . If put to death for his name sake Home as the lord promised is to be with him in paradise . Death to believers in chirst is not the end , the lord puts everyone to work , on what !? take a look around you , Satan is busy using religions to divide us. Greed to shame us and self loving abominations to destroy our children. Wars to sin against each other . Seriously, wake up and smell the coffee. I'll keep my faith continue the good fight follow Christ without Religious conviction and Recite by heart his gospel. I pray you all take up your cross too and not lose site of his promise to us all . ( Key ) May the holy spirit guide your steps on your path through life . I'd love to share a cup of the fruit of the vine with you all one day . Love you and peace be with you all . 🕯📖🕯
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RAYMOND BENITEZ
Of the original 12, only Judas died a shameful death, taking his own life after betraying Jesus for money (see Matthew 27:3-5). Both the Bible and early church records indicate all the rest died because of their faith in Christ—a faith they refused to deny. Our last glimpse in the Bible of one of the Twelve is of John, in prison on the island of Patmos “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9).
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Rev. Howard Slayton
The Holy Bible has both a divine and a human element to it. Sometimes humans, in reporting historical events, get the details wrong. But the message of the Bible is clear: 1. Man fell in the garden of Eden. 2. God atoned for the sins of man through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 3. Mankind needs the Savior, Jesus Christ.
“In Matthew it is stated that he hanged himself, but Acts states he died accidentally in a fall.”
A discrepancy? You mean there are discrepancies in the bible?
This compilation would be in some way worthwhile if information was provided on this this was known.
Hey, everyone knows the bible is 100% accurate, there are no discrepancies. Every account is true. You should be more tolerant. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 (darn, I almost got thru that with a straight face)
Yes there is truth in the Bible, but there is also confusion, some is deliberate. First is translation and then interpretation and we are told that we will not understand all. Judas revealed Jesus but was it a betrayal or was he obeying a command? If Jesus didn’t die for our sins prophecy isn’t fulfilled. Send your most beloved friend deliberately to a horrific and painful death, would you be suicidal?
I would not say that everything in the Bible is 100% accurate. I would say what is accurate at that percentage is the word of God and Jesus. and the acts that Jesus preformed, and the Biblical events that took place. But when you have an instance where there is a question on which is right outside of that, it is good to note that there is confusion between the two findings so that at least it is being recognized.
It is possible that he attempted to hang himself, and the rope or bough broke, causing him to fall, breaking his neck, both accounts could be accurate, depending on who reported his death.
Could be. But keep in mind that the scriptures weren’t written until many years later. Plus it’s highly doubtful that any of the apostles could even write as most people were functionally illiterate at that time. Lastly the bible us chock full of contradiction. Here is the founder of the NCS.
https://youtu.be/RB3g6mXLEKk?si=qkeK_fnTdgPvlTS-
@Dr. Zerpersande
The 'Quiz Show (Bible Contradictions)' is excellent. Especially the breaks ^ . ^ How long did it take to research, design dialogue, and make the video?
I’m not THE Non-Stamp Collector, just another such hobbyist. One of my favorites is the one about Noah’s ark.
Weren't these accounts written long after Jesus' death and resurrection? So when might also be a consideration.
The apostle Paul referred to the 12 living disciples in his writings, a mere 12-15 years after the crucifixion. I don't believe the whole Judas story.
Judas was replaced by Matthias according to Acts. So there were still 12.
He did hang himself. He did fall. When he hit the ground the broken pottery he fell upon cut his abdomen open spilling his guts to the ground.
No discrepancy, just the full picture.
Both things could have happened but only one killed him. At the same time this os like arguing about the charge time of a light saber.
Lol Z, True!
Wait! Light sabers need charging?!?
I heard he was masturbating while thinking about Jesus when he hung himself, and thought he could cut the rope during the moment of ecstasy l, but then realized he forgot to put his pocket knife in his dress pocket, and the last thing he said was "Uh-oh"!
It is possible that the conflicting statements here are deliberate. The writer of Acts could be giving grace to someone who was once as a brother to him, wanting to make it sound less of a confession. The writer of Matthew on the other hand might very well have wanted to stain Judas' memory due to ill will between the two.
Infallible word of god becomes some kind of written record of a pity party?
It could be that there are errors because the book a hodgepodge things written many years after supposed events took place, by various authors not even there, from stories handed down for several decades during a period of time when adherents to the new religion were being persecuted and things just got embellished and/or made up.