This might seem like a morbid subject (and it is!), but this is some background material for something I’m working on. I’ve changed my mind about a couple of projects I was working on, and this will give me a timeline to work from for a new one. One of the interesting things about this chart is how many of the disciples were killed before 70 AD. I feel that is significant, although I cannot give an honest reason why it would be more than coincidence at the moment.
I should point out that most of these are based upon legend and hearsay. The Bible records the deaths of Judas Iscariot, Stephen and James the son of Zebedee, but not much else. Some of the estimates span a decade even, and many of them have conflicting traditions, perhaps from the earnest desire of some to have the notoriety of an apostle dying in their hometown.
Other than that, there isn’t much to say, I suppose.
| Apostle Name | Amazing Bible Timeline | BibleNest | Ultimate Riddles | Various | Foxe’s Book of Martyrs |
| Simon Peter | 67-68, crucified by Nero | ||||
| Andrew | unknown | 60, Patrae in Achaia | Edessa | ||
| James Zebedee | 44, by Herod Agrippa | 44, beheaded | 44, beheaded by Herod Agrippa | ||
| John Zebedee | 89-90, imprisoned at Patmos | ||||
| Philip | unknown, Hierapolis | 54, Heliopolis, Phrygia | 54, Heliopolis | ||
| Bartholomew | unknown | India | 68, Armenia | ||
| Thomas | Unknown, perhaps Peria or India | India | 72, Chennai | ||
| Matthew | Post 50, perhaps Ethiopia | 60, Nadabah, India | 60, Nadabah | 60, Nadabah | |
| James Alphaeus | Unknown, perhaps Jerusalem | (aged 94), stoned and beaten at Jerusalem (therefore, must’ve been before 70 AD) | |||
| Lebbaeus Thaddaeus (aka Judas) | Unknown, perhaps Persia | 72, Edessa | 72, crucified Edessa | ||
| Simon Zelotes | unknown | 74, Britain | 74, crucified Britain | ||
| Judas Iscariot | 31 AD, suicide | ||||
| Matthias | unknown | Jerusalem | 63, Jerusalem | stoned and beheaded at Jerusalem | |
| Paul | 68, executed but not by crucifixion | Beheaded in Rome | 67, beheaded in Rome | ||
| Stephen | 34, Jerusalem | ||||
| James, brother of Jesus | 62-69, Jerusalem | ||||
| Barnabas | 61, Cyprus | 73 |