Scripture records the deaths of only 2 apostles: James (Acts 12:1-2) and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:5). Most of what we know about the deaths of the other apostles comes from early christian writers and church tradition. Most scholars think the Apostle John is the only apostle who died of natural causes. The exact dates are unknown, most are estimates.
| Apostles | Place/Date | Manner of death | |
| Peter | Rome 64 AD | According to church tradition, Peter was killed by Nero around 64 AD after the great fire of Rome. A 2nd Century text claimed Peter was crucified upside down at his own request. | |
| Andrew | Greece 60 AD | According to tradition, Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. | |
| James, son of Zebedee | Jerusalem 44 AD | 1st apostle to be martyred; executed with a sword; Acts 12:1-2 | |
| John, son of Zebedee | Ephesus 98 AD | The only apostle to die of natural causes at an old age; Tertullian wrote that the Romans brought John into a coliseum and dunked him in a vat of boiling oil. After he emerged unharmed, the entire coliseum converted to Christianity. John was then banished. | |
| Philip | Hieropolis 80? AD | Conflicting traditions state that he was beheaded, stoned, crucified or died of old age. The earliest tradition states he was crucified upside down. | |
| Bartholomew (Nathaniel) | ?? | The most reliable tradition is that Bartholomew was flayed and beheaded. Other traditions claim he was crucified head down | |
| Thomas | India 72? AD | The “Acts of Thomas” claims he was stabbed with spears. No other tradition exists. | |
| Matthew | Ethiopia 60? AD | The early church fathers claimed he was burned, stoned, stabbed or beheaded. Later tradition claims Matthew died of natural causes. | |
| James, son of Alphaeus | ?? | One tradition claims he was crucified in Egypt. Another tradition claims he was stoned to death in Jerusalem. | |
| Thaddaeus (aka Judas, Jude) | ?? | Conflicting tradition claims he was crucified, clubbed to death or his head was shattered with an axe | |
| Simon the Zealot | ?? | One tradition claims he was martyred in Iberia. Another that he was martyred in Persia around 65 AD. Another that he was crucified in 61 AD in Britain. Others that he died of old age. | |
| Judas Iscariot | Jerusalem 30 AD | suicide by hanging; Matthew 27:5 | |
| Matthias | ?? | Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas (Acts 1:12-26). Little is known about him. Some traditions claim he was stoned, in Ethiopia; others that he was stoned in Jerusalem and then beheaded. Hippolytus claims he died of old age in Jerusalem. | |
| Paul | Rome 66 AD | Beheaded by Rome | |
| James, brother of the Lord | Jerusalem 66? AD | Tradition claims he was thrown from the temple tower and then beaten with a fuller’s club. |
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