Apostles

Basic Info

At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus called 12 Apostles to follow him. One of them, Judas, betrayed him. The Bible offers two accounts of what happened to Judas after this, but in both he died, leaving 11 Apostles. Just after Jesus’ Ascension, but before the Pentecost, the 11 elected a new member, Matthias, to bring their number back to 12. There is a tradition of 70 disciples from the commissioning story in Luke’s Gospel, but the art tradition tends to focus on the 12.

Throughout the art tradition, the 12 tend to be depicted in portraits or artworks related to themselves as individuals. The Call of Matthew and the Doubt of Thomas are two common themes. Legends suggest that all the Apostles except John, who died of old age, were martyred. Some of their deaths were quite violent and have been the subject of artworks for years. Bartholomew, for example, was flayed (skinned) and is depicted on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Michelangelo’s Last Judgment holding his own skin.

Sometimes the individual Apostles are especially popular in the art tradition of the places they are said to have traveled during the decades after Jesus’ death and Resurrection: Saint James (Santiago) in Spain, Saint Thomas in India, Saint Andrew in Russia and Macedonia, and Saints Peter and Paul in Rome. There is an articles on the site about Saint Peter.

Saint Paul (formerly known as Saul of Tarsus) used to persecute Christians until he experienced a conversion when he was knocked down and blinded by a vision of Jesus while on the road to Damascus. Paul received instruction in Christianity and began to preach, especially to the gentiles (non-Jews). He thought of himself as an Apostle called by Jesus. He formed communities in a number of places and wrote letters back to them after he had moved on to another town. His letters are the oldest known Christian writings; they were written before the Gospels. He was probably beheaded, so he is often depicted carrying a sword. The website has an article about Saul’s / Paul’s Conversion and another on Paul Preaching.

What to Look For

• The Apostle’s physical appearance (posture, gaze, gestures, etc.)
• Objects that symbolize the Apostle depicted (e.g., scallop shell for Saint James, sword for Saint Paul, etc.)
• Symbols or representations of their faith in Jesus Christ (preaching, praying, being martyred, etc.)

Questions to Focus a General Interpretation

Though Peter offers the quintessential model of discipleship, one of the significant aspects of the 12 is that they offer a variety of models of discipleship, as if to say there are many paths to Jesus Christ, and through him to God the Father. What does this artwork emphasize as the way to be a good disciple?

Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation

Does the artwork offer any elements that are relevant to discipleship today? Are they attractive to you?

Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation



What might have been going on in the artist’s time and place that would have made this Apostle relevant?