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Andrew

the one who brought Peter

Who was Andrew?

The name
It is a Greek name, not a Hebrew one: it comes from a word that means “manliness” or “courage.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Andrew”; Benedict XVI, general audience of June 14, 2006
From
Bethsaida, in Galilee John 1:44; John 12:21
Occupation
Fisherman Matthew 4:18
Feast day
November 30: Saint Andrew, Apostle
Andrew, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

Matthew 4:18

And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers).

John 1:35-40

35The next day again John stood, and two of his disciples. 36And beholding Jesus walking, he saith: Behold the Lamb of God. 37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38And Jesus turning, and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39He saith to them: Come and see. They came, and saw where he abode, and they stayed with him that day: now it was about the tenth hour. 40And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John, and followed him.

John 1:41-42

41He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Andrew

  1. Before Jesus. He was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, with his brother Simon. Matthew 4:18
  2. Before Jesus. He was a disciple of John the Baptist. John 1:35, 40
  3. With Jesus. He heard John call Jesus “the Lamb of God.” He followed Jesus and stayed with him that day. John 1:36-39
  4. With Jesus. He looked for his brother Simon, told him they had found the Messiah, and brought him to Jesus. John 1:41-42
  5. With Jesus. By the lake, Jesus called him and Simon. They left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20
  6. With Jesus. He told Jesus there was a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. John 6:8-9
  7. Afterward. After the Ascension, he prayed with the other apostles in Jerusalem. Acts 1:12-14
  8. Afterward. According to Tradition: According to tradition, he died by crucifixion in Patras, in Greece. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Andrew”; Benedict XVI, general audience of June 14, 2006

Words of Andrew

“Rabbi, where dwellest thou?” John 1:38

He and the other disciple said it the first time they followed Jesus.

“We have found the Messias.” John 1:41

When he went to find his brother Simon.

“There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many?” John 6:9

When Jesus asked where to buy bread for so many people.

“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall begin to be fulfilled?” Mark 13:4

He asked it with Peter, James, and John, on the Mount of Olives.

What they were like

The greatest thing they did

In the Church today

Feast day: November 30, Saint Andrew, Apostle (feast). General Roman Calendar

Patron of: Of Scotland and of Russia Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Andrew”

In art, recognized by: An X-shaped cross, called “Saint Andrew’s cross” Benedict XVI, general audience of June 14, 2006; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Andrew”

Andrew in art

The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew, by Duccio di Buoninsegna
The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308-1311. National Gallery of Art, Washington
The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, h. 1675-1682. Museo del Prado, Madrid

What people ask

Was Andrew the brother of Peter?

Yes. They were brothers, and both were fishermen. Matthew 4:18

Who was the first to follow Jesus?

Andrew was one of the first two, and the Gospel does not give the name of the other. That is why the Byzantine liturgy calls Andrew “the First-Called.” John 1:40; Benedict XVI, general audience of June 14, 2006

Why is Saint Andrew’s cross shaped like an X?

According to tradition, he was crucified in Patras on a cross like that. The oldest accounts of that detail come from the 14th century. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Andrew”

What did Andrew do when Jesus multiplied the loaves?

He told Jesus there was a boy with five barley loaves and two fish. And he asked what good that was for so many people. John 6:8-9

Was Andrew at the Transfiguration?

No: Jesus went up the mountain with only Peter, James, and John. But Andrew was with those three when they asked Jesus privately about the end of the Temple. Matthew 17:1; Mark 13:3-4

Daily life He was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, with his brother. Matthew 4:18 He was from Bethsaida, Philip’s town. John 1:44 In Capernaum, the Gospel speaks of…

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Who Andrew is connected to

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All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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