The Death of Andrew in the New Testament
Andrew, one of the twelve apostles, was the brother of Simon Peter and a native of Bethsaida in Galilee [1, 2]. He was initially a disciple of John the Baptist. Upon hearing John the Baptist declare Jesus to be the "Lamb of God," Andrew followed Jesus, becoming one of his first disciples [2, 5]. He then brought his brother Simon to Jesus [2]. Andrew is consistently listed among the apostles, typically appearing fourth, after Peter, James, and John, and often alongside Philip [1].
The New Testament itself does not record the death of Andrew. Information regarding his death comes from later traditions and apocryphal texts. These traditions vary, but a common account states that Andrew preached in regions such as Scythia, Greece, Asia Minor, and Thrace [1]. One prominent tradition, found in the Acts and Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Andrew, asserts that he was crucified at Patrae in Achaea [1, 3]. This account emphasizes Andrew's willingness to embrace the cross, drawing a parallel to Christ's voluntary suffering [3]. In this narrative, Andrew engages in a dialogue with the Roman proconsul Aegeates, explaining that Christ willingly endured the cross despite being betrayed and nailed by soldiers [3].
Other apocryphal texts, such as the Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Andrew, describe miraculous events involving Andrew, including being transported by a luminous cloud after leaving a city of "man-eaters" to meet Peter and Matthew [4]. While these narratives provide details about Andrew's post-biblical ministry and martyrdom, they are not part of the canonical New Testament. The New Testament focuses on his call to discipleship and his role in bringing Peter to Jesus, but it remains silent on the circumstances of his death [2, 5].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Andrew — (manly), one of the apostles of our Lord, (John 1:40; Matthew 4:18) brother of Simon Peter. He was of Bethsaida, and had been a disciple of John the Baptist, leaving him to follow our Lord. By his means his brother Simon was brought to Jesus. (John 1:41) His place among the apostles seems to have been fourth, next after the three Peter, James and John, and in company with Philip. (Mark 3:18; Acts 1:13) The traditions about him are various. He is said to have preached in Scythia, in Greece, in Asia Minor and Thrace, and to have been crucified at Patrae in Acha”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Andrew — Manliness, a Greek name; one of the apostles of our Lord. He was of Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), and was the brother of Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18; 10:2). On one occasion John the Baptist, whose disciple he then was, pointing to Jesus, said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:40); and Andrew, hearing him, immediately became a follower of Jesus, the first of his disciples. After he had been led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, his first care was to bring also his brother Simon to Jesus. The two brothers seem to have after this pursued for a while their usua”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — ACTS AND MARTYRDOM OF THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW (part 2): cross, with what reasonable love the Author(3) of the life of the human race for our restoration endured this tree of the cross, not unwillingly, but willingly! AEgeates said: Seeing that, betrayed by his own disciple, and seized by the Jews, he was brought before the procurator, and according to their request was nailed up by the procurator's soldiers, in what way dost thou say that he willingly endured the tree of the cross? The holy Andrew said: For this reason I ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND ANDREW. (part 1): IT came to pass when Andrew the apostle of Christ went forth from the city of the man-eaters, behold a luminous cloud snatched him up, and carried him away to the mountain where Peter and Matthew and Alexander were sitting. And when he saw them, they saluted him with great joy. Then Peter says to him: What has happened to thee, brother Andrew? Hast thou sown the word of truth in the country of the man-eaters or not? Andrew says to him: Yes, father Peter, through thy pr”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 1:40: One . . . was Andrew--The other was doubtless our Evangelist himself. His great sensitiveness is touchingly shown in his representation of this first contact with the Lord; the circumstances are present to him in the minutest details; he still remembers the Very hour. But "he reports no particulars of those discourses of the Lord by which he was bound to Him for the whole of His life; he allows everything personal to retire" [OLSHAUSEN]. Peter's brother--and the elder of the two.”