The names of the 12 disciples of Jesus are Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. Jesus chose these twelve men to follow Him and preach the gospel, and their names are listed in Matthew 10:2–4.
In simple words, the names of the 12 disciples are the names of the twelve men Jesus personally chose to follow Him during His earthly ministry. They are also called the twelve apostles, and Scripture lists them by name in Matthew 10:2–4, Mark 3:14–19, and Luke 6:13–16.
Have you ever read the Gospels and wondered who these men really were behind their names? Most of us know Peter and John, but the rest can feel like strangers. It can be confusing, too, when one passage calls a disciple Thaddaeus and another calls the same man Judas.
By the end of this post, you’ll know each disciple’s name, what it means, and where he came from. You’ll also see why the Gospel lists differ slightly and find answers to the ten most common questions about the twelve. Let’s meet the men behind the mission.
The Names of the 12 Disciples in Order
Matthew 10:2–4 gives the clearest ordered list of the names of the 12 disciples. Here they are, exactly as Matthew names them:
- Simon, who is called Peter
- Andrew, his brother
- James, son of Zebedee
- John, his brother
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Thomas
- Matthew the publican
- James, son of Alphaeus
- Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus
- Simon the Canaanite
- Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him
Here is the passage in full, from the King James Version:
“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.”
Matthew 10:2–4 (KJV)
Mark 3:14–19 and Luke 6:13–16 record the same twelve men, with a few name variations we’ll untangle below.
What Each Disciple’s Name Means
The disciples’ names come from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and many carry meanings that fit the men who bore them. Here is what each name means:
- Simon Peter — Simon comes from the Hebrew Simeon, meaning “hearing” or “God has heard.” Peter is Greek for “rock,” and Jesus also called him Cephas, the Aramaic word for rock (John 1:42).
- Andrew — Greek for “manly” or “courageous.” Peter’s brother and a fisherman from Bethsaida (John 1:44).
- James, son of Zebedee — James comes from the same Hebrew name as Jacob, meaning “supplanter.” He is called James the Greater to distinguish him from the other James. Read our guide to Jacob in the Bible for the full story of the patriarch behind the name.
- John — From the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” The brother of James, often called the disciple whom Jesus loved.
- Philip — Greek for “lover of horses.” He came from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.
- Bartholomew — Aramaic for “son of Tolmai.” He is widely identified with Nathanael, the honest Israelite Jesus praised in John 1:47.
- Thomas — Aramaic for “twin” (in Greek, Didymus). He wanted to see proof of the risen Christ before he would believe (John 20:25).
- Matthew — Hebrew for “gift of Yahweh.” The former tax collector, also called Levi (Mark 2:14).
- James, son of Alphaeus — Called James the Less, or “the younger,” to tell him apart from James the son of Zebedee.
- Thaddaeus — Also called Lebbaeus and “Judas, son of James” (Luke 6:16). The exact meaning is uncertain, but it is often understood as “courageous in heart.” He is not the same person as Judas Iscariot.
- Simon the Zealot — Simon means “hearing.” He is called “the Canaanite” in Matthew and Mark and “the Zealot” in Luke and Acts — both titles point to his passionate, zealous character.
- Judas Iscariot — Judas comes from Judah, meaning “praise.” “Iscariot” likely means “man of Kerioth.” He is the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
Many of these are Hebrew names at heart, even when they reach us through Greek spelling. If you enjoy tracing name roots, explore our guide to Hebrew names for dozens more.
Why the Gospel Lists Use Slightly Different Names
If you compare the four lists — Matthew 10:2–4, Mark 3:16–19, Luke 6:14–16, and Acts 1:13 — you’ll spot small differences. This isn’t a contradiction. In the first century, Jewish men commonly carried both a Hebrew name and a Greek name, plus nicknames that stuck.
- Thaddaeus (Matthew, Mark) is the same man as Judas son of James (Luke, Acts).
- Bartholomew (Matthew, Mark, Luke) is widely identified with Nathanael (John’s Gospel).
- Simon the Canaanite (Matthew, Mark) is Simon the Zealot (Luke, Acts).
- Matthew the publican is also called Levi (Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27).
Think of it the way we use first names, surnames, and nicknames today. The same man can be Simon, Peter, or Cephas depending on who is speaking — and the Gospels simply preserve different forms of the same names.
Disciple vs. Apostle: What’s the Difference?
The two words describe two stages of the same calling. A disciple is a learner — someone who follows a teacher and soaks up his teaching. An apostle means “one who is sent out” — someone given authority and a mission to carry.
While Jesus walked the earth, the twelve were His disciples, learning at His feet. After His resurrection, He sent them out to preach the gospel to all nations, and they became His apostles (see the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20).
What Were the 12 Disciples’ Jobs?
Scripture tells us the trades of a few of the twelve — and stays honest about the rest:
- Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18–22).
- Matthew was a tax collector, also called a publican (Matthew 9:9).
The Bible doesn’t record the occupations of the other seven. Church tradition offers guesses, but Scripture stays silent — so we’ll stay honest and leave it there.
Bible Verses About the 12 Disciples
These passages anchor everything we’ve covered. Each quote below is from the King James Version:
“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,”
Mark 3:14 (KJV)
“And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”
Luke 6:13 (KJV)
“And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Acts 1:26 (KJV)
Just as the names of God in the Bible reveal His character, the names of the twelve reveal the very human men He chose to carry His message.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Names of the 12 Disciples
What are the names of the 12 disciples?
The twelve are Simon Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. This is the order given in Matthew 10:2–4, the Bible’s clearest list of their names.
Who were the first disciples Jesus called?
Peter and Andrew were the first pair Jesus called, while they were casting nets into the Sea of Galilee. He then called James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were mending their nets nearby. All four left their boats at once and followed Him (Matthew 4:18–22).
Which disciple betrayed Jesus?
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14–16). After the betrayal, he was filled with remorse. His name has become a byword for treachery, which is why parents stopped naming children Judas.
Who replaced Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve?
Matthias replaced Judas Iscariot. After Jesus ascended, the remaining eleven prayed and cast lots between Matthias and Joseph called Barsabas. “And the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26, KJV).
Why is Matthias sometimes called the 13th disciple?
Some people count Matthias as a thirteenth because he joined after the original choosing. But Acts is clear: he was “numbered with the eleven apostles,” restoring the group to twelve (Acts 1:26). The apostle Paul, called later on the road to Damascus, is a separate case entirely.
Which disciple was skinned alive?
Church tradition says Bartholomew was martyred by being flayed alive, which is why artists often paint him holding his own skin. The Bible itself doesn’t record how Bartholomew died, so this comes from early church tradition rather than Scripture.
Who was the oldest of the 12 disciples?
The Bible never gives the disciples’ ages, so no one can say for certain. Christian tradition often points to Peter as likely the oldest, partly because he acts as the group’s spokesman. Treat this as tradition, not as something Scripture states.
Was there a female disciple among the twelve?
No. The twelve apostles Jesus chose were all men. However, women followed Jesus closely and supported His ministry from their own means — including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Luke 8:1–3). They were devoted disciples in the broader sense of the word.
What were the jobs of the 12 disciples?
Four were fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Matthew 4:18–22). Matthew was a tax collector (Matthew 9:9). Scripture doesn’t tell us the trades of the other seven disciples, and honest Bible teachers won’t guess where the Bible is silent.
What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?
A disciple is someone who learns by following a teacher; an apostle is someone entrusted with a mission and sent out to fulfill it. While Jesus was with them on earth, the twelve followed Him as learners; after His resurrection He commissioned them to carry the gospel outward, and from that commission they are called His apostles.
Conclusion
The names of the 12 disciples belong to real men — fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and even a betrayer — whom Jesus shaped into the foundation of His church. Knowing their names, meanings, and stories turns a familiar list into twelve human lives touched by grace.
Now you have the complete picture: the list in order, what each name means, and answers to the questions people ask most. The next step is yours — open Matthew 10, read the list slowly, and let these ancient names feel personal again.
I’m Emma, an AI content writer with 4 years of experience creating heartfelt prayers, Bible-based messages, blessings, and inspiring faith-filled content.