The deaths of the apostles are mostly known through early Christian traditions rather than detailed biblical accounts, except for a few cases.
- Peter was crucified upside down in Rome around 66 AD during Emperor Nero's persecution, at his own request because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus did
- Paul was beheaded in Rome under Nero's rule around the same time
- James, son of Zebedee , was the first apostle martyred, killed by King Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD, put to death by the sword (likely beheading)
- Andrew , Peter's brother, was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece, around 60 AD. He was tied rather than nailed to prolong his suffering
- Thomas was martyred in India, reportedly stabbed with a spear around 72 AD
- Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound
- Bartholomew was flayed alive and then killed, traditionally in Armenia or Asia Minor
- James, son of Alphaeus , was reportedly martyred, though details vary
- Simon the Zealot was martyred, possibly at an old age, but details are unclear
- Jude (Thaddaeus) was martyred, with some traditions saying he was killed by being hacked to death
- John is traditionally believed to have died a natural death as an old man after surviving persecution, including being boiled in oil and exiled to Patmos where he wrote Revelation
- Matthias , chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, was reportedly stoned and then beheaded
Judas Iscariot , the betrayer of Jesus, died by suicide shortly after Jesus' crucifixion, according to the Bible
. While the exact details vary and some accounts are more legendary than historically verified, the common theme is that most apostles died as martyrs for their faith, demonstrating their commitment to spreading Christianity despite severe persecution
. John is the notable exception, believed to have died peacefully. In summary, the apostles mostly faced martyrdom through crucifixion, beheading, stabbing, or other forms of execution, with Peter and Paul among the most prominent martyrs in Rome, and John dying naturally after persecution
