How Did The Apostles Die?
How Did The Apostles Die?
Judas:
Now Technically Judas is no longer an apostle because his position was taken by Matthias. Read Acts chapter one(Acts 1:1-26) if one is interested in how that occurred. I am adding him to this list merely because he was an apostle at one time. "Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers" (Matthew 27:3-7).
James, Brother of John:
"Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. 2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also..." (Acts 12:1-3).
Paul:
We sadly aren't certain about his death, but tradition tends to say he died a martyr at the hands of Emperor Nero. This doesn't exactly have any evidence I could find to support it, but to be fair I haven't seen any debunking of the claim.
In 2 Timothy, the last letter Paul wrote in the Bible, we do read something that likely is in reference to his coming death. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8). By this passage, it seems that Paul, in the end, kept his faith. This may point towards a martyr's death, but it isn't specifically said. Later in the same chapter, apostle Paul speaks about heaven so this seems likely. " But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen" (2 Timothy 4:17-18).