Preceden

Twelve Apostles Timeline

(c. 27 AD - c. 100 AD)

The Twelve Apostles were the primary disciples of Jesus Christ, chosen to spread his teachings after his crucifixion and resurrection. This timeline traces key events in their lives, including their calling, the Great Commission, Pentecost, their missionary journeys, and their eventual martyrdoms or deaths. Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Calling and Ministry

Jesus calls Peter and Andrew

Jan 27 AD

Jesus called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, telling them to follow him and become 'fishers of men.' They immediately left their nets to become his first disciples.

Image source: Saint Peter

Jesus calls Peter and Andrew

Jesus calls James and John

Feb 27 AD

Shortly after calling Peter and Andrew, Jesus summoned James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who left their fishing boat and their father to follow him. The brothers became part of Jesus' inner circle.

Image source: James the Great

Jesus calls James and John

Matthew the tax collector joins the disciples

Mar 27 AD

Jesus called Matthew (Levi), a tax collector despised by many Jews, to follow him. Matthew's calling demonstrated that Jesus welcomed social outcasts into his movement.

Image source: Matthew the Apostle

Matthew the tax collector joins the disciples

The Twelve Apostles are formally chosen

Apr 28 AD

After a night of prayer on a mountainside, Jesus chose twelve men from among his disciples, naming them apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

Image source: Apostles in the New Testament

The Twelve Apostles are formally chosen

The Sermon on the Mount

May 28 AD

Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount before crowds and his disciples, teaching the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and core ethical teachings that would shape the apostles' future preaching.

Image source: Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount

Calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee

Jun 28 AD

While crossing the Sea of Galilee with the disciples, Jesus calmed a violent storm, astonishing the Twelve and deepening their understanding of his divine authority over nature.

Image source: Calming the storm

Calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee

Feeding of the five thousand

Apr 29 AD

Jesus miraculously fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, involving the apostles in distributing the food. The event was a pivotal sign of his power and compassion witnessed by all Twelve.

Image source: Feeding the multitude

Feeding of the five thousand

Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi

Jul 29 AD

Near Caesarea Philippi, Peter declared that Jesus was 'the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus affirmed this confession and declared he would build his church upon this rock, giving Peter a preeminent role among the Twelve.

Image source: Confession of Peter

Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi

The Transfiguration

Aug 29 AD

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where he was transfigured before them, appearing radiant alongside Moses and Elijah. This event revealed his divine glory to the innermost circle of apostles.

Image source: Transfiguration of Jesus

The Transfiguration

Peter's denial of Jesus foretold

Mar 30 AD

During the Last Supper period, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed, foreshadowing the crisis of faith the apostles would face during the Passion.

Image source: Denial of Peter

Peter's denial of Jesus foretold

Judas agrees to betray Jesus

Apr 30 AD

Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, agreed to betray Jesus to the chief priests in exchange for thirty pieces of silver, setting in motion the events leading to the crucifixion.

Image source: Judas Iscariot

Judas agrees to betray Jesus

The Last Supper

Apr 30 AD

Jesus shared a final Passover meal with the Twelve in Jerusalem, instituting the Eucharist, washing their feet as an example of servanthood, and revealing that one of them would betray him.

Crucifixion of Jesus

Apr 30 AD

Jesus was crucified at Golgotha outside Jerusalem. Most of the apostles fled or watched from afar; only John is traditionally said to have remained at the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Image source: Crucifixion of Jesus

Crucifixion of Jesus

Resurrection appearances to the disciples

Apr 30 AD - May 30 AD

Following his resurrection, Jesus appeared repeatedly to the apostles over forty days, including to the gathered Eleven behind locked doors and to Thomas, who doubted until he saw the risen Christ.

Image source: Resurrection of Jesus

Resurrection appearances to the disciples

Matthias chosen to replace Judas

May 30 AD

In Jerusalem, the remaining eleven apostles cast lots between Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot. Matthias was chosen, restoring the number of the Twelve.

Image source: Matthias the Apostle

Matthias chosen to replace Judas

Ascension of Jesus

May 30 AD

Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives before the apostles' eyes, instructing them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.

Image source: Ascension of Jesus

Ascension of Jesus

Restoration of Peter by the Sea of Galilee

May 30 AD

By the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him, restoring him after his denials and commissioning him to 'feed my sheep,' reaffirming Peter's leadership role.

Image source: Saint Peter

Restoration of Peter by the Sea of Galilee

Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit

Jun 30 AD

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles as tongues of fire, enabling them to speak in many languages. Peter preached boldly, and about three thousand people were baptized, marking the birth of the church.

Image source: Pentecost

Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit

Missions and Journeys

Peter and John heal a lame beggar at the temple

Jun 30 AD

Peter and John healed a man lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the Jerusalem temple, drawing a large crowd and giving Peter the opportunity to preach about the risen Christ.

Apostles imprisoned and released by an angel

31 AD

The apostles were arrested by the Sanhedrin for preaching in Jesus' name but were freed overnight by an angel and resumed teaching in the temple courts, defying the authorities' orders.

Image source: Acts of the Apostles

Apostles imprisoned and released by an angel

Peter's vision and ministry to Cornelius

37 AD

Through a visionary dream, Peter learned not to call any person unclean. He then baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius, opening the door for Gentiles to enter the church without first becoming Jews.

Image source: Cornelius the Centurion

Peter's vision and ministry to Cornelius

Peter's miraculous escape from prison

44 AD

Imprisoned by Herod Agrippa, Peter was freed by an angel who led him past sleeping guards. He went to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, where believers were praying for him.

Council of Jerusalem

49 AD

Church leaders, including Peter and James, met in Jerusalem to decide whether Gentile converts needed circumcision. They concluded that Gentiles need only abstain from certain practices, shaping Christianity's universal mission.

Image source: Council of Jerusalem

Council of Jerusalem

Andrew preaches around the Black Sea

50 AD - 60 AD

Tradition holds that Andrew preached in regions north and east of the Black Sea, including Scythia, and later in Greece. He is honored as the patron saint of Russia, Ukraine, and Scotland.

Image source: Andrew the Apostle

Andrew preaches around the Black Sea

Thomas brings Christianity to India

52 AD - 72 AD

According to tradition, Thomas traveled to India, where he established churches along the Malabar Coast. The Saint Thomas Christians trace their origins to his missionary work there.

Image source: Saint Thomas Christians

Thomas brings Christianity to India

Martyrdoms

Martyrdom of Stephen and scattering of believers

34 AD

Stephen, a prominent disciple, became the first Christian martyr when he was stoned to death in Jerusalem. His death triggered persecution that scattered believers and spread the gospel beyond Judea.

Image source: Saint Stephen

Martyrdom of Stephen and scattering of believers

James son of Zebedee executed by Herod Agrippa I

44 AD

King Herod Agrippa I ordered the beheading of James, son of Zebedee, making him the first of the Twelve Apostles to be martyred. His death fulfilled Jesus' earlier prediction that he would drink the cup of suffering.

Martyrdom of Peter in Rome

Oct 64 AD

During Nero's persecution of Christians after the Great Fire of Rome, Peter was crucified upside down, reportedly at his own request because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Tradition places his burial beneath St. Peter's Basilica.

Martyrdom of Paul and tradition of other apostles' deaths

67 AD

Around the same era, Paul was beheaded in Rome under Nero. Church tradition records that most of the Twelve died as martyrs: Andrew was crucified in Greece, Philip died in Hierapolis, and Bartholomew was flayed alive in Armenia.

Image source: Paul the Apostle

Martyrdom of Paul and tradition of other apostles' deaths

Key Facts

  1. The Twelve Apostles were chosen by Jesus Christ from among his disciples, with Peter, James, and John forming an inner circle.
  2. After Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death, Matthias was chosen to restore the number of apostles to twelve (Acts 1:15-26).
  3. The apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (c. 30 AD), which empowered them to begin their global missionary work.
  4. Most of the Twelve are believed to have died as martyrs, including Peter, who was crucified upside down in Rome, and James, son of Zebedee, who was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I.
  5. John is traditionally considered the only apostle to die of natural causes, living into old age and authoring the Gospel of John, three epistles, and Revelation.

Source

This Twelve Apostles timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

Want a timeline like this one?

Generate yours with AI or build it from scratch, for free.

Try It for Free