📜 33–140 AD: The Early Messianic Movement and Its Key Figures

Introduction

Between 33 AD and 140 AD, the teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) spread across the known world through the efforts of His Twelve disciples, the Seventy-Two, and many others. This list records all known individuals from that time who played a role in the early movement. Some were true disciples, directly taught by Yeshua. Others later claimed authority or created new directions in His name. We list them all here—with clear markers of who stayed true to the Hebrew teachings and who diverged.

Section I: The Twelve Disciples and Closest Associates (33–70 AD)

✅ Direct Disciples of Yeshua

• Shim’on Kepha (Simon Peter) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua (30–33 AD)
  Role: Leader of the Twelve
  Legacy: Shaped early community, mentored Mark
  Martyrdom: Crucified in Rome (~64–67 AD)
• Andreas (Andrew) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Evangelized Scythia and Greece
  Martyrdom: Crucified in Patras (~60–70 AD)
• Ya’aqov bar Zavdai (James, son of Zebedee) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Early leader
  Martyrdom: Beheaded (44 AD)
• Yochanan bar Zavdai (John the Apostle) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Language: Aramaic, later Greek
  Legacy: Oversaw churches in Ephesus; mentored Polycarp, Ignatius
  Death: Natural (~100 AD)
• Pilippos (Philip the Apostle) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Evangelized Samaria and Phrygia
  Martyrdom: Crucified (~80 AD)
• Bar-Talmai (Bartholomew/Nathanael) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua (via Philip)
  Role: Preached in Armenia and India
  Martyrdom: Flayed alive (~60–70 AD)
• Toma (Thomas) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Evangelized Parthia and India; connected to Edessa
  Martyrdom: Speared (~72 AD)
• Mattityahu (Matthew/Levi) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Possibly wrote Hebrew/Aramaic logia
  Death: Uncertain
• Ya’aqov bar Halfai (James, son of Alphaeus) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Supported Jerusalem church
  Martyrdom: Stoned (~62 AD)
• Taddai (Thaddaeus/Jude) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Preached in Edessa and Persia; possibly Addai
  Martyrdom: Killed with an axe (~60–70 AD)
• Shim’on ha-Qanna (Simon the Zealot) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Preached in Persia and Africa
  Death: Uncertain
• Yehudah Ish-Qriyot (Judas Iscariot) ⚠️
  Mentor: Yeshua
  Role: Betrayer
  Death: Suicide (33 AD)
• Matthias (Mattityahu) ✅
  Chosen to replace Judas
  Role: Preached in Ethiopia and Cappadocia
  Martyrdom: Unknown

Section II: The Seventy-Two & Other Early Followers (33–70 AD)

✅ Mentored by Yeshua or the Twelve

• Ya’aqov Tzaddiq (James the Just) ✅
  Mentor: Yeshua (post-resurrection), Peter
  Role: Leader of Jerusalem believers
  Martyrdom: Stoned (~62 AD)
• Stephanos (Stephen) ✅
  Mentor: The Twelve
  Role: First martyr and deacon
  Martyrdom: Stoned (~34–35 AD)
• Pilippos (Philip the Evangelist) ✅
  Mentor: The Twelve
  Role: Evangelized Samaria; baptized the Ethiopian eunuch
  Death: Unknown

Section III: Paul and His Disciples (35–70 AD)

⚠️ Diverged from Hebrew Teachings — listed for historical record

• Sha'ul (Paul of Tarsus) ⚠️
  Mentor: Claimed vision of Yeshua
  Role: Apostle to the Gentiles (not of the Twelve)
  Legacy: Created a new path influenced by Greek-Roman worldview
  📌 • Raised in a Greek-Hebrew hybrid culture
  📌 • Trained under Pharisees using the Greek Septuagint
  📌 • Banned the Name Yhwh and replaced Torah with oral law
  Martyrdom: Beheaded (~64–67 AD)
• Markos (Mark/John Mark) ⚠️
  Mentor: Peter; also Barnabas
  Legacy: Wrote Gospel; founded Coptic Church
  Martyrdom: Dragged through streets of Alexandria (~68 AD)
• Luqas (Luke) ⚠️
  Mentor: Paul
  Legacy: Wrote Luke and Acts (disputed authenticity)
  Death: Unknown
• Timotiyos (Timothy) ⚠️
  Mentor: Paul
  Role: Bishop of Ephesus
  Martyrdom: Stoned (~97 AD)
• Silas (Silvanus) ⚠️
  Mentor: Paul; later worked with Peter
  Legacy: Assisted both Paul and Peter
  Death: Unknown
• Priscilla & Aquila ⚠️
  Mentors: Paul; possibly Peter
  Legacy: Taught Apollos; house-church leaders
  Death: Unknown

Section IV: The Second Generation (70–140 AD)

• Polycarp of Smyrna ✅
  Mentor: John the Apostle
  Role: Bishop of Smyrna
  Martyrdom: Burned (~155 AD)
• Yochanan (John the Elder) ⚠️
  Mentor: John the Apostle or earlier disciples
  Legacy: Possibly wrote 2 John, 3 John, Revelation (disputed)
  Death: ~130 AD?
• Papias of Hierapolis ⚠️
  Mentors: John the Apostle; John the Elder
  Role: Bishop; collector of sayings
  Death: ~130–140 AD
• Ignatius of Antioch ⚠️
  Mentor: John the Apostle
  Role: Bishop of Antioch; wrote letters later used by the Roman Church
  Martyrdom: Eaten by lions (~107 AD)
• Clement of Rome ⚠️
  Mentors: Peter; also Paul
  Role: Bishop of Rome; wrote 1 Clement (~96 AD)
  Death: Drowned or natural (~99–101 AD)

📜 Closing Note

We present all these figures in one place—not because all believed the same, but because their lives shaped history.

• ✅ Yeshua’s true disciples brought the Hebrew truth.
• ⚠️ Others took different paths—some aligning with Greek philosophy and Roman authority.

This record honors them all for transparency, truth, and deeper study.
All names transliterated to reflect their original Hebrew or Aramaic form when known.