1.4.2 — The Twelve Disciples
Andrew
The First Called
Andrew was the first to follow Jesus — and the first to bring someone else to Him.
Who Was He?
Andrew was a fisherman from Bethsaida, the brother of Simon Peter. Before following Jesus, he was a disciple of John the Baptist — already seeking the Messiah before he found Him.
He is often overshadowed by his more prominent brother, but Andrew's quiet faithfulness and his instinct to bring others to Jesus make him one of the most important figures in the early spread of the gospel.
His Calling
Andrew was with John the Baptist when John pointed to Jesus and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!' Andrew immediately followed Jesus, spent the day with Him, and then went to find his brother Simon with the words: 'We have found the Messiah' (John 1:35–42). He brought Peter to Jesus — one of the most consequential introductions in history.
Matthew 4:18–20 records a second calling, when Jesus called both Andrew and Peter from their fishing nets with the words, 'Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.'
His Life With Jesus
Andrew appears at key moments in the Gospels. He was the one who brought the boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus before the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:8–9). He and Philip brought the inquiring Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20–22). He was among the four disciples who asked Jesus privately about the end times (Mark 13:3).
Andrew was not part of the inner circle of Peter, James, and John — but he was always present, always connecting people to Jesus. His ministry was one of introduction and bridge-building.
After Jesus' Resurrection
After the resurrection, Andrew is listed among the apostles gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 1:13), where they prayed together and waited for the promised Holy Spirit. He was present at Pentecost and part of the early Jerusalem church. Beyond these references, the Bible does not provide a detailed account of his ministry after Jesus' resurrection.
Early church tradition associates Andrew with missionary work in the regions around the Black Sea, including Scythia (modern Ukraine and Russia), Thrace, and Greece. He is particularly venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the "First-Called" apostle and patron saint of several nations.
Tradition holds that Andrew was martyred in Patras, Greece, crucified on an X-shaped cross — now known as the Cross of Saint Andrew — because he reportedly felt unworthy to die on the same type of cross as Jesus. These accounts come from later church writings and cannot be verified from Scripture.
His Journey and Ministry
This map compares locations associated with his life alongside Jesus with what Scripture records or church tradition reports about his later ministry.
Green lines represent locations supported by Scripture. Gold dashed lines represent later church tradition. These routes are simplified and should not be understood as complete day-by-day itineraries.
Strengths and Struggles
Strengths
- ✓First to recognize and follow Jesus
- ✓Consistently brought others to Jesus
- ✓Humble — content to serve without prominence
- ✓Practical faith in action
Struggles
- —Often overshadowed by his brother Peter
- —Little is recorded of his individual words or actions
- —Questioned how five loaves could feed a crowd (John 6:9)
What We Can Learn
Andrew's greatest act was bringing his brother to Jesus. He did not preach to thousands or write epistles — he said, 'We have found the Messiah,' and brought someone he loved. That simple act of introduction changed the world.
Andrew teaches us that not every disciple is called to be Peter. Some are called to be Andrew — faithful, behind-the-scenes connectors who bring others to Christ. That ministry is no less important in God's kingdom.
Key Scriptures
John 1:40–42
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah.'
Andrew's defining act — the first evangelist of the New Testament.
John 6:8–9
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 'Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?'
Andrew brings what little there is to Jesus — a model of practical faith.
John 12:22
Philip went to tell Andrew; and Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
Andrew and Philip bring the inquiring Greeks to Jesus — Andrew again as a bridge-builder.