The Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:1-15)

The twelve apostles were the men who, having followed him from the outset, Christ chose as his representatives and closest friends.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: “From the beginning of his public life Jesus chose certain men, twelve in number, to be with him and to participate in his mission. He gives the Twelve a share in his authority and ‘sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal.” (Luke 9:2) They remain associated for ever with Christ’s kingdom, for through them he directs the Church.” (CCC 551)

Christ first called two pairs of brothers – Andrew and Simon (Peter), as well as James and John – to be his disciples. They ran a fishing business together in Bethsaida, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:10-11). Next came Philip, also from Bethsaida, and his friend Nathanael, whose other name was Bartholomew (John 1:43-51).

Three of the other apostles were relatives of Christ – James Minor, Jude and Simon the Zealot (Mark 6:3; Luke 6:12-16; Galatians 1:19; Jude 1). The final three were Thomas (who was a twin), Matthew (a former tax-collector), and Judas Iscariot (the group’s treasurer). After spending the night in prayer, one day Christ summoned the twelve together and appointed them to be his deputies.

Christ gradually trained the apostles by keeping them close, correcting their failures, and turning their weaknesses into growth. He guided them step by step, combining challenge with encouragement, until the group became a disciplined, confident team ready for mission.

Later, after the death of Judas, Matthias was chosen to replace him as one of the twelve. Paul, formerly known as Saul, was publicly recognised as one of the apostles after the death of James (Galatians 1:1; 2:7-9).

This stunning east window is found in the church of St Mary and St Michael in East London. It’s mostly focused on the twelve apostles that Christ called to specially share and continue his mission.

On the top row of the window (from left to right) are St Thomas, St James the Major, St Peter, St Andrew, St James the Minor and St Philip. On the middle row (from left to right) are St Bartholomew, St Matthew, the Blessed Virgin (instead of Judas Iscariot), St John, St Simon and St Jude. On the bottom row are the two apostles appointed later – St Paul and St Matthias – along with other popular saints. Most of the apostles are shown with their relevant symbol – for example, St Peter with his keys, St Andrew with his cross, St Matthew with his gospel and so on.

At the very top of the window are the four major prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Beneath the crucified Christ – and partially hidden by the altarpiece – is the church’s patron saint, St Michael the Archangel. The window dates to 1957 and is by Hardman & Co. It formed part of the post-war reconstruction of the church, following significant bombing of the East End.

Discover more about the apostles:

• St Peter
• St James Major
• St John the Evangelist
• St James Minor
• St Jude
• St Thomas
• St Matthew
• Judas Iscariot
• St Matthias
• St Paul

See the full image:

Where to find this work of art
St Mary and St Michael’s, Shadwell

Read the relevant passage
Matthew 10:1-15

On a similar theme

• From the Old Testament: Moses sent out twelve spies to explore the Promised Land, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
• From the New Testament: At the Council of Jerusalem, the apostles gathered to make important decisions about the future of the Church.