Who Was the Last Surviving Disciples of Jesus?

The disciples of Jesus are some of the most important figures in Christian history. They were the followers of Jesus Christ and played a key role in spreading his teachings across the world.

Over the years, many people have wondered about the last surviving disciple of Jesus. Who was this person, and what happened to them? In this article, we will explore this question and provide some answers.

Who Were the Disciples of Jesus?

Before we delve into the question of who was the last surviving disciple of Jesus, it’s important to understand who these disciples were. The disciples were a group of twelve men who followed Jesus during his life on earth. They were chosen by Jesus himself and were his closest companions.

The names of the twelve disciples are Simon Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew (sometimes identified as Nathanael), Thomas, Matthew (also known as Levi), James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus (also known as Judas son of James), Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.

What Happened to the Disciples?

As for what happened to each disciple after Jesus’ death and resurrection – there is limited information available about most of them. However, it is generally believed that most if not all lost their lives while spreading Christianity.

For example:

– Peter is said to have been crucified upside down in Rome. – James son of Zebedee was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I. – John died an old man in Ephesus. – Andrew was crucified in Greece. – Bartholomew was flayed alive and beheaded. – Thomas was speared to death in India.

– Matthew was killed with a sword in Ethiopia. – James son of Alphaeus was stoned to death in Jerusalem. – Thaddaeus was crucified in Edessa. – Simon the Zealot was crucified in Persia. – Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and later hanged himself.

Who Was the Last Surviving Disciple?

With this background, the question remains – who was the last surviving disciple of Jesus? The answer is not clear, as there is no definitive record of who outlived all the others.

It is possible that John, who died an old man in Ephesus, was the last surviving disciple. However, this cannot be verified for certain.

There are also some legends that suggest that other disciples may have lived longer. For example, there is a story that Thomas traveled to China and lived to be over 100 years old. However, there is little evidence to support this claim.

Regardless of who was truly the last surviving disciple of Jesus, their legacy lives on. The disciples were instrumental in spreading Christianity across the world and their teachings continue to inspire millions of people today.