“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)
We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. While much has been written about Simon Peter, comparatively little is known about his brother, Andrew. What do the Scriptures reveal about this man who served the Lord Jesus while in his brother’s shadow?
Andrew first appears in the Gospels as a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35, 40). After hearing John say, referring to Jesus, “Look, there is the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36), Andrew and another unnamed disciple followed Jesus and stayed with him for a day (John 1:36–39). Andrew then told his brother, Simon Peter, that he had found the Messiah and brought Simon to Jesus (John 1:40–42). What a blessing it is for the church to have disciples like Andrew.
Andrew faded then into the background, and his brother came into prominence. Whenever the relationship of the two is mentioned, Andrew is always described as the brother of Simon Peter and never the opposite (Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16; John 1:40; 6:8). However, Andrew is often mentioned without reference to his brother (Mark 1:29; 3:18; 13:3; John 12:22). Andrew’s and Simon Peter’s father was named John (Matt. 16:17; John 1:42; 21:15–17), a common name in the first century. Andrew’s hometown was Bethsaida (John 1:44), a village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.
“The Gospel of John mentions disciples being with Jesus (2:2; 4:2), and it is likely that Andrew was one of that early group. Evidently, however, he returned to his activity as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, where he shared a house with Peter and his family in Capernaum (Matt. 4:18–20; Mark 1:16–18, 29–33),” explains commentator Walter Elwell.
“While they were fishing, Andrew and Peter received a definite call to follow Jesus and become those who fish for people. From among the disciples of Jesus a group of 12 were later specially chosen as apostles. Andrew is always listed among the first four named, along with Peter and two other brothers, John and James (Mt 10:2–4; Lk 6:13–16; Acts 1:13).”
Andrew is specifically named three other times in the Gospels. These include the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:8–9), when certain Greeks came to Philip, asking to see Jesus (John 12:20–22), and when there were those who privately questioning Jesus on the Mt of Olives (Mark 13:3–4).
Andrew was present when Jesus appeared to His disciples following His resurrection (Matt. 28:16; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-53; John 20:19, 24-31; 21:1-14). Luke mentioned Andrew being a part of the disciples who were present at the ascension of Jesus and on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-14). The Apostle Paul referred to Andrew as one of the Twelve who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus (I Cor. 15:5).
While there are many traditions and speculations about Andrew’s post-biblical ministry, Andrew is a disciple who was content to minister in the background. While he was eclipsed by his brother in ministerial prominence, there is no reference to Andrew being jealous or resentful of either Simon Peter, or the Lord Jesus, for God’s purposeful sovereignty in the apostle’s life. Andrews serve where and how the Lord called him to serve.
Soli deo Gloria!
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