Name

Occupation

Outstanding characteristics

Major events in his life

What Jesus said about him

Simon Peter
(Andrew's brother)

Selected references

Fisherman

Impulsive, perceptive, given to bursts of enthusiasm and depression, bold in preaching Jesus after Pentecost

One of three in core group of disciples; recognized Jesus as the Messiah; denied Christ and repented; preached Pentecost sermon; a leader of the Jerusalem church; baptized Gentiles; wrote 1 and 2 Peter

Named him Peter, "a rock"; called him "Satan" when he urged Jesus to reject the Cross; said he would become a fisherman of men's souls; he received revelation from God; he would deny Jesus; he would later be crucified for his faith

James
(son of Zebedee)

Selected references

Fisherman

Ambitious, energetic, zealous in his work, high-spirited, judgmental, deeply committed to Jesus

Also in core group; he and his brother John asked Jesus for places of honor in His kingdom; first disciple to be martyred

Called James and John "Sons of Thunder"; said they would fish for the souls of men; they would drink the cup Jesus drank; they did not understand their own hearts

John
(Son of Zebedee) "The disciple Jesus loved"

Selected references

Fisherman

Ambitious, judgmental, later very loving

Third disciple in core group; asked Jesus for a place of honor in His Kingdom; a leader of the Jerusalem church; tradition says he wrote the Gospel of John and 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation

Called James and John "Sons of Thunder"; said he would fish for the souls of men; would drink the cup Jesus drank; did not understand his own heart; would take care of Jesus' mother after his death

Andrew
(Peter's brother)

Selected references

Fisherman

Eager to bring others to Jesus

Accepted John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus; told Peter about Jesus; he and Phillip told Jesus that Greeks wanted to see him

Said he would become a fisherman of men's souls

Philip

Selected references

Fisherman

Questioning attitude

Told Bartholomew (Nathaneal) about Jesus; wondered how Jesus could feed the 5,000; asked Jesus to show his followers God the Father; he and Andrew told Jesus that the Greeks wanted to see him

Asked if Philip realized that to know and see him was to know and see the Father

Bartholomew
(Nathanael)

Selected references

Unknown

Honesty and straight-forwardness

Initially rejected Jesus because he was from Nazareth but acknowledged Jesus as the "Son of God" and "King of Israel" when they met

Called him "an honest man" and "a true son of Israel"

Matthew
(Levi)

Selected references

Tax collector

Despised outcast because of his dishonest career

Abandoned his corrupt and financially profitable way of life to follow Jesus; invited Jesus to a party with his notorious friends; wrote the Gospel of Matthew

Called him to be a disciple

Thomas
(the twin)

Selected references

Unknown

Courage and doubt

Suggested the disciples go with Jesus to Bethany -- even if it meant death; asked Jesus about where he was going; refused to believe Jesus was risen until he could see Jesus alive and touch his wounds

Said Thomas believed because he actually saw Jesus after the resurrection

James
(son of Alphaeus)

Selected references

Unknown

Unknown

Became a disciple of Jesus

Unknown

Thaddaeus
(Judas, son of James)

Selected references

Unknown

Unknown

Asked Jesus why he would reveal himself to his followers and not to the world

Unknown

Simon
the Zealot

Selected references

Unknown

Fierce patriotism

Became a disciple of Jesus

Unknown

Judas Iscariot

Selected references

Unknown

Treacherous and greedy

Became a disciple of Jesus; betrayed Jesus; killed himself

Called him "a devil"; said he would betray Jesus