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    People & Characters

    Who Was Andrew the Apostle?

    Who Was Andrew the Apostle? Andrew was Peter's brother, one of Jesus' first disciples, known for bringing people to Jesus including his brother Peter and the boy with five loaves.

    Key verse: John 1:41-42 (KJV)

    Andrew was Peter's brother, one of Jesus' first disciples, known for bringing people to Jesus including his brother Peter and the boy with five loaves.

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    Quick Answer

    Andrew was Peter's brother, one of Jesus' first disciples, known for bringing people to Jesus including his brother Peter and the boy with five loaves.

    "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus." — John 1:41-42 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    Andrew was a fisherman from Bethsaida and originally a disciple of John the Baptist. He was one of the first two to follow Jesus (John 1:40) and immediately brought his brother Simon Peter to Christ (John 1:41-42). This pattern of bringing others to Jesus defines Andrew's ministry. He brought the boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus before the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:8-9). He brought Greek seekers to Jesus (John 12:22). Though overshadowed by his more prominent brother, Andrew exemplifies faithful, personal evangelism—the ministry of introduction. According to tradition, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece, preaching to his executioners until his death. Andrew reminds us that not everyone is called to lead publicly, but everyone can bring someone to Jesus.

    Key Scripture References

    "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus."
    "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"
    "Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus."

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside John. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read John on day 302 of the chronological Bible reading plan

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Andrew was a fisherman from Bethsaida and originally a disciple of John the Baptist. He was one of the first two to follow Jesus (John 1:40) and immediately brought his brother Simon Peter to Christ (John 1:41-42). This pattern of bringing others to Jesus defines Andrew's ministry. He brought the boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus before the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:8-9). He brought Greek seekers to Jesus (John 12:22). Though overshadowed by his more prominent brother, Andrew exemplifies faithful, personal evangelism—the ministry of introduction. According to tradition, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece, preaching to his executioners until his death. Andrew reminds us that not everyone is called to lead publicly, but everyone can bring someone to Jesus.

    The twelve apostles were the men Jesus chose as His closest followers and commissioned to spread the gospel: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias).

    Peter was a fisherman who became Jesus' most prominent disciple — bold, impulsive, failing at the crucifixion, but restored to become the leader of the early church.