What Happened to the Twelve Apostles?

THE LIVES OF THE ORIGINAL APOSTLES[1] WHO WERE CHOSEN AS ENVOYS AND WHAT LATER BECAME OF THEM[2]

We will take a brief moment to study, but not in depth, the history of what became of those other envoys whom the Messiah hand-picked to carry the Good News to all the earth, and how their work impacted the regions they traveled to, and the people of those parts and the legends they have concerning these and how they expired. Unfortunately, there is much legend, but not much material on this topic, and it is with great effort and labor that the student of history must scour and search various diverse places and obscure authorities to obtain the smallest of glimpses into the lives of these great men of God.

It is unfortunate that there does not exist a first hand journal of their travels as we have with Luke’s narrative, but where there are stories and histories about these rugged individuals who traversed land and sea to bring the Gospel of their Master to far off lands, they will be told here. But our study must be brief, since it is not in the purvue of this study for a comprehensive study of these legends. Such studies have been available for quite some time, and here the reader is recommended to go. For one of the best works outside of the Scriptural Records on the lives of the twelve envoys, the student is directed to consult the excellent work of John MacArthur, Twelve Ordinary Men.[3] There are also two very good works on the topic which provide the student with much more than what is contained in this chapter of our present work, and they are The Search for the Twelve Apostles,[4] by William Stewart McBirnie, Ph. D., and the second, The Twelve the Lives of the Apostles After Calvary,[5] by C. Bernard Ruffin. All three works excellent and well written and documented.

We now begin our study into the lives of the first twelve original envoys. With the exception of James the Lord’s brother, the twelve original envoys and the other martyrs will be treated only briefly. As mentioned above, such a study would require a volume of its own, and we have already cited three excellent works on this topic. The names of the original twelve envoys are listed in alphabetical order.

ANDREW

Andrew ben Yona was Simeon Petra (Kepha)’s brother, and also a son of Jonas. He lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum and like his brother Peter, was a fisherman before he was called by Jesus. He had been a disciple of John the Immerser.[6] It was Andrew who brought his brother, Peter to Jesus, as well as many others.[7] He is the first of the twelve original envoys to have the title of Home and Foreign Missionary. Three countries claim him as their Patron Saint— Greece, Russia, and Scotland. It is the opinion of many scholars that he preached in Scythia, Greece and Asia Minor. It is complementary of this man’s humility that although he was in a position where it would have been easy for him to have become jealous and resentful of his brother Peter, nevertheless, he was optimistic and well content as he was called to be, because his main purpose in life was to bring others to the Master. Legend has it that it was in the province of Achaia, Greece, specifically in the town of Patra that he died a martyr. When Governor Aepeas' wife was healed and became a follower of Jesus, and shortly after that the governor’s brother as well embraced the faith of the way, Aepeas became enraged. He arrested Andrew and condemned him to die by crucifixion. Feeling unworthy to be crucified on the same-shaped cross as his Master, Andrew requested that his cross be different. His request was granted, and he was crucified on an X-shaped cross.[8]

BARTHOLOMEW

Bartholomew – Natanael bar Talmai, lived in Cana of Galilee. According to legend, he took the Good News to Armenia. A number of scholars believe that he was the only disciple who came from royal blood, or noble birth. His name means Son of Tolmai or Talmai.[9] In the Tanakh Talmai was the king of Geshur whose daughter, Maacah, was the wife of David, mother of Absalom. Bartholomew's name appears with every list of the original twelve envoys.[10] Bartholomew was not his first name, but his first name was Natanael. He was the one of whom Jesus commented when they first met, “An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.”[11] Although there is not much information which the New Testament provides about this incredible person, it is understood that he was a great scholar, and an observant Jew; a man of complete sincerity who was earnest in prayer, and one who made complete surrender of his life to the Rabbi from Nazareth, He became one of the Nazarenes’ most adventurous exponents of the Gospel. Tradition has it that he joined with Philip in taking the Good News to Phrygia and Hierapolis, as well as in Armenia. The Armenian Church claims him as its founder and its martyr. Although the Armenian Church claims him for its own, tradition has it that he went as well to India, and his death seems to have taken place there where he was flayed alive by knives.[12]

JAMES

Yacob ben Zavdai, or James, also known as the Elder, son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Envoy; was a fisherman who lived in Bethsaida,[13] Capernaum and Jerusalem. He preached in Jerusalem and Judea and was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I in A.D. 44.[14] With his brother John, he was a member of the inner circle of three, and his name does not appear apart from his brothers.’ The two brothers appeared to be an inseparable pair.[15] An extraordinary man of courage and great faith, he was the first from among the original twelve envoys to suffer martyrdom for his faith when the third major persecution broke out under Agrippa.[16]

JAMES

Yacob Bar Halfai, or James, also called the Lesser or Younger, was a son of Alpheus, or Cleophas, and Mary, and lived in Galilee. He was also brother to Taddai – Jude, the author of the same letter in the New Testament. Some believe that it was he, and not James the brother of the Lord who wrote the letter of James.[17] He preached throughout Judea, Samaria, and the other regions of Roman Palestine, as well as Egypt and it was there where he was crucified. There is very little known about him, but there are scholars who believe he was the brother of Matthew, the tax collector. He was a rugged individual strong in character, possessing a fiery temperament. Although he had died by crucifixion, tradition tells us that his body was sawed in pieces.[18]

JOHN

Yochanan ben Zavdai, or John son of Simon and Salome, brother of Yacob or James,[19] is also known as this Beloved Disciple. He had been a fisherman like his brother James, who lived in Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem. Although he is reported as the author of the Gospel which bears his name, and the three letters, as well as the Revolution of Jesus the Messiah at the end of the New Testament, there is evidence that he alone was not the author of the Gospel, but that another John – the Elder – who co-authored the Gospel of John. Also the three letters of John seem to have been penned by John the Elder. Like his brother James and Peter, John was a member of the inner circle of three. He taught and preached amongst the churches of Asia Minor. He was banished to the Isle of Patmos by Nero, but after Nero’s death, he was later freed and died a natural death. He is the only one of the original twelve who did not die a martyr’s death but by natural causes. He was one of the pillars of whom Paul wrote about meeting when he visited Jerusalem from his journeys.[20] Like his brother James, he possessed a flaming temperament, and was extremely zealous, filled with much ambition and an acute desire to command. He and his brother, James, both came from a more well-to-do family. Because his father had hired servants in his fishing business[21] there may have been a time when he felt himself above the rest of the envoys. This is perhaps the reason why his mother approached Jesus with a request that her two sons be seated to Jesus’ left and right.[22] John was close to Simon Peter, and the two worked together, though Peter, acted as the spokesman for the group. As the years progressed, so did John. Gone was the explosive and ambitious son of thunder who wanted a seat of eminence to the Master’s right and his brother to the Master’s left. Instead, by the end of his life, John had become a loving disciple who was an example to those whom he was charged with as God’s flock. Legend has it that an attempt was made on his life by poisoning from which God spared him.[23] He was the only one of the original twelve to die of natural causes.[24]

JUDAS

Yehuda IshKeriot Bar Shimon, or Judas Iscariot bar Shimon, lived in Kerioth of Judah. It is he who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and committed suicide by hanging.[25] To many, Judas is the supreme enigma in that it is very difficult for many to see how anyone who was so close to Jesus, and who was a first hand eye-witness to so many miracles, and was taught directly by the Master; could ever betray the Messiah into the hands of his enemies. They forget that every time one sins, they also betray the Lord, and it was not Judas who delivered Jesus, but Jesus who surrendered His life and took it back up again, as He promised. Some wonder whether there would be redemption for Judas had he repented like the others, to which the reply would come, yes; because Messiah died for everyone without exception. His name appears in three of the lists of the twelve.[26] It is said that Judas came from Judah near Jericho. He was the only Judean among the eleven others who were all Galileans. He was the group’s treasurer, but the record states that he was a thief and a conniving liar. Some believe that he was a violent nationalist who had Zealot leanings. This position is represented in the motion picture, Jesus of Nazareth, where he wishes to enlist the Zealots in support of Jesus and to proclaim Jesus King of the Jews, expecting the Master to lead an uprising against the Romans. He is portrayed as being motivated by these delusions in betraying Jesus when it all unravels before him. It was not Judas’ betrayal that put Jesus on a Roman cross, but the collective sins of the human race, and for this purpose Jesus came, that He would offer Himself as its substitute, and Goel – Redeemer for the redemption of every human being who would ever live.[27]

JUDE

Yehuda Bar Halfai[28] – Jude, or Taddia – Thaddeus,[29] or Lebbeus,[30] son of Alpheus or Cleophas and Mary. He was a brother of Jacob – James the Younger.[31] There is little known about him other than he lived in Galilee. According to tradition, he carried the Gospel to Assyria and Persia and died a martyr in Persia. Jude, or Judas Thaddeus was also called Judas the Zealot. He had been a violent nationalist who dreamed of Israel’s restoration and Messiah Kingdom on earth.(John 14:22-23) During the last Passover Seder he and the others had with the Master on the night of His betrayal, he asked Jesus, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jude was more interested in a political and temporal solution to Israel’s dilemma with the Romans than with a spiritual kingdom Jesus was setting up in men’s hearts.[32] From Jesus’ answer to him we can see that the way of power can never be substituted for the way of love. According to tradition Jude took the Good News to Edessa near the Euphrates River,; where he healed many and many became followers of Jesus the Messiah. From there, Jude traveled to other lands and was killed with arrows at the region of Ararat.[33]

LEVI-MATTHEW

Mattityahu Bar Halpai, or Matthew, or Levi,[34] son of Alpheus, was born in Nazareth, and lived in Capernaum. He was a publican or tact collector, and an auditor for the Romans. He wrote the Gospel that bears his name as early as A.D. 35 according to some sources, and it appears that archeology and the used of papyrology is bearing this out. This Gospel was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. Because he was an experienced record keeper, his Gospel is the most detailed, reflecting the possibility that as he traveled with the Master daily, he kept a running record of His activities, and later sifting through these, he produced his Gospel in the Hebrew language. It is interesting that it is both Mark ad Luke who record Jesus’ call to Matthew to join the original twelve.[35] There is the possibility that James the Lesser, also of the original twelve, was related to Matthew, possibly his brother, since he is also the son of Alpheus. Because Matthew worked as a Publicanus for the Romans, he was highly hated by his fellow Jews who saw him as a traitor to his nation and his people. To them, he was nothing more than a criminal, or at least as bad as one. In the minds of observant Jews, Publicans were classified with prostitutes, sinners, and Gentiles.[36] Tax collectors had been known to assess duty payable at impossible sums and then offer to lend the money to travelers at a high rate of interest. This is what Matthew had been at the time Jesus chose him as His follower. Only the Messiah could see into this man’s heart, and see what others missed. He traveled to Parthia, and Ethiopia, taking the Good News of Messiah to those lands, and suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, Ethiopia in A.D. 60.[37]

SIMON PETER

Shimon Bar Yona,[38] or Simeon Kepha[39] (Petra), also known as Simon Peter, son of Jonas. He was a fisherman by trade who lived in Bethsaida and in Capernaum. He had a wife.[40] His evangelistic work was primarily among his fellow Jews, but he was instrumental in bringing the first Gentile family to the faith of the Way when he spoke to the Roman Centurion Cornelius and his family. His travels took him as far as the Jewish communities of Babylon, but this was also a reference to Rome during the era of persecution under Nero. Scholars are mixed in ascribing authorship of I and II Peter to him. He was also a member of the Inner Circle of the Messiah which also comprised the two sons of Zebedee – James and John, also fishermen by trade. The name of Peter is listed first in every apostolic list. The Greek meaning of Simon is rock. The Arabic meaning of Cephas is also rock. His home was Capernaum. It is believed by some that Jesus made Capernaum His base of operations during His stay there. Peter was also a Galilean and was typical of many of the other disciples. As Josephus described the Galileans, "they were ever fond of innovation and by nature disposed to change and delighted in sedition. They were ever ready to follow the leader and to begin an insurrection. They were quick in temper and given to quarreling and they were very chivalrous men." The Talmud says this of the Galileans, "They were more anxious for honor than for gain, quick-tempered, impulsive, emotional, easily aroused by an appeal to adventure, loyal to the end." In every respect, Peter was a typical Galilean. He was the leader of the twelve, and for a number of years was also the leader of the Nazarenes, and acted as their spokesperson when the situation called for it. He was the one who asked the meaning of the difficult saying,[41] and he was the one who asked how often one must forgive another. He was the one who inquired about the reward for all of those who follow Jesus. He was the one who first confessed Jesus and declared Him as the Promised Messiah, Son of the Living God. He it was who was at the Mount of Transfiguration with James and John with Jesus when Moses and Elijah appeared before them. He was the one who witnessed Jairus' daughter raised to life from the dead. In spite of all this, it was he who denied his Master the Messiah three times. Regardless of his faults, and having denied Jesus, he repented and was forgiven, and was restored to his Mater. Regardless of how often he failed, he always recovered. He was a man of great courage, possessing much humility and of the highest integrity. Because he felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Master, he requested that his crucifixion be conducted in this manner.[42]

PHILIP

Philip lived in the town of Bethsaida where he was born, the same town from which Peter and Andrew came.[43] We are not told what his trade had been, but it is highly likely that he, too, was a fisherman, like many of the others. The Synoptic Gospels record his name,[44] but the Gospel of John develops Philip’s personality in some detail. Scholars disagree on Philip. Some believe that the Philip of the twelve is not the same Philip of Acts.[45] Some confuse the Philip who successfully took the Gospel to the Samaritans and then shared it with an Ethiopian Eunich as the same Philip the Envoy (here) and original member of the twelve, but the two should not be confused.[46] Philip the envoy and original member of the first twelve followers of Jesus was a Galilean, whereas Philip the Deacon and member of one of the seven deacons was a Greek speaking Hellenist. John’s Gospel Narrative preserves Jesus’ first words to Philip, “Follow Me.” It was Philip who after meeting the Messiah, went directly to Nathanael and told him that “We have found him, of whom Moses . . . and the prophets, wrote, Jesus the son of Joseph.”[47] Nathanael’s reaction was skeptical. He rhetorically asked, “Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?”[48] Philip was wise not to argue with him; he simply answered, “Come and see.”[49] This first meeting of Philip and Nathanael tells us two important things about Philip. First, it shows his correct approach when faced with skepticism, as well as his simple faith in the Messiah. Second, it also illustrates Philip’s evangelistic spirit. He loved sharing good things with everyone who possessed a warm heart. Tradition records that he died by hanging. While he was dying, he requested that his body be wrapped in papyrus and not linen, because he did not consider himself worthy that his dead body should be treated as the body of Jesus had been treated. Tradition says that Philip preached in Phrygia and died a martyr at Hierapolis.[50]

SIMON

Shimon or Simon the Zealot, is one of the little-known followers of Jesus among the original twelve. He lived in Galilee. He is called the Canaanite[51] or Zelotes.[52] The Scriptural historical record from the New Testament provides us with practically nothing on him, except that it says he was a Zealot. The Zealots were committed, almost fanatical Jewish Nationalists who had a heroic disregard for the suffering involved and the struggle for what they regarded as the purity of their faith. The Zealots were crazed with hatred for the Romans, and it was this hatred of the Romans that destroyed the city of Jerusalem. Josephus says the Zealots were reckless persons zealous in good practices and extravagant and reckless in the worst actions. From this background, we see that Simon was a Jewish patriot, a man devoted to Torah observance, and a man with bitter hatred for anyone who dared to compromise with Rome, which for someone like him represented everything antithetical to the Jewish faith. Simon clearly emerged as a man of faith. He abandoned all his hatred, exchanging it for the faith that he showed toward his Master and the love that he was willing to share with the rest of the disciples – especially towards Matthew, the Roman tax collector. Simon, the Zealot, the man who once would have killed in loyalty to Israel, became the man who saw that God will have no forced service. He would learn of how foolish it is to try to move God’s hand, and then claim it to be “the Lord’s will.” Tradition says he died as a martyr by crucifixion.[53]

THOMAS

T’oma or Thomas Didymus was a resident of Galilee.[54] Other than his providing his name, the Synoptic Gospel Narratives provides us nothing about this member of the original twelve envoys. However, John give us a better picture of him in his Gospel narrative. John tells us that Thomas appeared in the raising of Lazarus,[55] and has him in the Upper Room where he where he asked Jesus where He was going.[56] After Jesus rose from the dead and vanquished the grave, it was Thomas who refused to believe unless he saw with his own eyes the risen Lord and the nail prints in His hands and feet, and the spear mark on the Messiah’s side.[57] This is where the epithet “doubting Thomas” comes from. Thomas was a pessimist at heart, who was easily bewildered. Yet with all of this struggles, he was a man of great courage and faith. Jesus did not disappoint him, for just as he uttered those words, Jesus appeared before him, and invited him to feel His wounds, to which Thomas exclaimed Jesus’ deity in no uncertain terms. It may be said that this was the first time Thomas ever said anything without doubting. Thomas had always been like a little child. His first reaction was not to disobey, and not to believe what he was asked to believe. The good news to him was always too good to be true. Because of this, and the undeniable fact of what he saw with his own eyes at Messiah’s appearance following His death, Thomas' faith became great, intense and convincing. Tradition says he labored in Parthia, Persia, and later in India, where he was commissioned to build a palace for the king of India, and suffered martyrdom near Madras, at Mt. St. Thomas, India where they speared him to death.[58]

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[1] Here and elsewhere in this post, I employ the use of the term “envoy” in place of “apostle” which has the same meaning without ecclesiastical hierarchal connections attached to it which later became canon in the Catholic and Protestant Churches, but which had a different meaning under the Judaism of the First Century, and especially for Jesus’ Jewish followers.

[2] The outline of these twelve envoys in alphabetical order is from the following URL: http://swartzentrover.com/cotor/Bible/Bible/NT/Gospel%20&%20Acts/12Apostles.htm#Simon_Peter

[3] W. Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN., 2002.

[4] Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1973. I read this book when it was first published, and became enthralled by it, and the stories which Dr. McBirnie shares in it. I highly recommend this work for any serious student of the subject.

[5] Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., Huntington, Indiana, 46750, first printing 1997, second printing 1984. Another very good work to include in one’s library and to peruse for additional material.

[6] Mark 1 :16-18.

[7] John 1:40.

[8] This X shaped cross is still called Saint Andrew's cross, and is one of his apostolic symbols among Catholics and many Protestants. Another symbol that is attached to Andrew is that of two crossed fish, presumably because he had formerly been a fisherman.

[9] 2 Sam. 3:3.

[10] Mat. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:1 3.

[11] John 1:47.

[12] His apostolic symbol according to Catholics and some Protestants is three parallel knives, presumably because of the way he died.

[13] It was he and his brother John who were called Boanerges, meaning sons of thunder, because they wanted to call down fire from the sky and devour a city that rejected Jesus and His message (Mark 3:17).

[14] Acts 12: 1, 2.

[15] Mark 1:19-20; Mat. 4:21; Luke 5:1-11.

[16] According to the Catholic Church and amongst some Protestant Churches, his symbol is three shells, the sign of his pilgrimage by the sea.

[17] As we will see further below, Foxes Book of Martyrs confuses this James with James the Lord’s brother, when in fact this is Yacob Bar Halfai; James the son of Alpheus. This is how this James has been confused by some with the author of the letter of James to the twelve tribes in exile, when in fact, that letter was written by James the son of Joseph who was also known by the aforementioned title, James the Lord’s brother, because he also was a son of Mary the mother of the Messiah.

[18] Among Catholics and some Protestants, the saw represents his apostolic symbol.

[19] Jesus called him and his brother James Boanerges because of their fiery temperaments (Mark 3:17).

[20] Galatians 2:9.

[21] Mark 1:20.

[22] Matthew 20:20-23.

[23] The plan was that he would be given a poisoned chalice from which he would imbibe and die.

[24] Catholic and some Protestant tradition has a chalice with a snake in it is his symbol.

[25] Mat. 26:14, 16.

[26] Mat. 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:19

[27] According to Catholic and some Protestant traditions, Judas’ apostolic symbol is a hangman's noose or a money purse with pieces of silver falling from it.

[28] Jerome called Jude "Trinomious" which means "a man with three names."

[29] His surname was Thaddeus. In Mark 3:18 he is called Thaddeus.

[30] In Matthew 10:3 he is called Lebbeus.

[31] In Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 he is called. Judas the brother of James.

[32] This kingdom is in human hearts, and is not temporal, but eternal, and more powerful than a political theocracy. It is meant to prepare men’s hearts prior to Messiah’s second advent to earth in power on some future date.

[33] His apostolic symbol is a that of a ship because he was a missionary thought to be a fisherman.

[34] Matthew's name mean "a gift of God." There is a possibility that the name Levi could have been given to him by Jesus.

[35] Mark 2:14, Mat. 9:9; and Luke 5 :27-28.

[36] Mat. 18:17, Mat. 21:31, 33; Mat. 9:10, Mark 2:15, 16; Luke 5:30

[37] From Fox’s Book of Martyrs. The apostolic symbol of Matthew according to Catholic and some Protestant tradition is three money bags. This is to remind us that he was a tax collector at the time Jesus called him.

[38] Mark 1:16; John 1: 40, 41.

[39] I Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5 and Gal. 2:9.

[40] I Cor. 9:5.

[41] Mat. 15:15.

[42] According to Catholic tradition his apostolic symbol is a cross upside down with crossed keys. The keys represent Peter as holder of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

[43] John 1:44.

[44] Mat. 10:3; Mark 3: 18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13.

[45] In Acts 6:5, we have Philip as one of the seven Parnasim – Diakonos – Deacons, or table waiters, a Hellenist of Stephen’s group of Greek speaking Nazarenes. Obviously, the Philip of the original twelve is another, a Galilean who presumably spoke Aramaic and perhaps some Greek and Hebrew.

[46] Acts 8:26. It appears that the Philip of the Acts was one of the many Hellenist Greek speaking Nazarenes who had been scattered when the House of Annas took its police action against the Hellenist members of the Jerusalem Nazarene Community; a campaign led by Saul-Paulus of Tarsus, himself a Hellenist, but resident of Jerusalem where he had lived for several years under the tutelage of the great Sage, Rabban Gamaliel I. He also stayed with Paul in Caesarea (Acts 21:8) and was one of the major figures in the missionary enterprise of the early days of the Nazarene Movement. The Philip of the Acts is not the Philip of the Gospel Narratives, and should not be confused one with the other.

[47] Here Philip displays an understanding that only an observant Jew of the period, and one who might very well know the rabbinical traditions of the dual Messiah theory held by many of the era – Messiah ben David and Messiah ben Yosef – Christ the Son of David and Christ the Son of Joseph. Here obviously, Philip had made the connection that this was Messiah ben Yosef, because of his use of this term to describe Jesus to Nathanael. It this was his belief at the time, then he would expect Jesus to die and be resurrected by Messiah ben David; but he would find out that the prophecies did not speak of two different Messiahs but of one, who would come two times.

[48] Because of the heavy foreign presence in Galilee, and the poor reputation Nazareth held among observant Jews of the period, this saying was commonly bandied about, and therefore preserved in John’s Gospel as having been uttered by the pious Nathanael about anyone hailing from such an disreputable city.

[49] John 1:43-51.

[50] According to Catholic and some Protestant traditions, Philip’s apostolic symbol is a basket. This is because of his part in the feeding of the five thousand. Catholic tradition says that it is he that stressed the cross as a sign of Christianity and victory.

[51] In the King James Version he is called a Canaanite in two places (Mat. 10:4; Mark 3:18).

[52] In the other two places, he is called Simon Zelotes (Luke 6: 15; Acts 1:13).

[53] According to Catholic tradition, Simon the Zealot’s apostolic symbol is a fish lying on a Bible, which indicates he was a former fisherman who became a fisher of men through the preaching of God’s Good News of Messiah.

[54] Thomas is an Anglicized version of his Hebrew name T’oma, and Didyrnus was his Greek name.

[55] John 11:1?16.

[56] John 14:1-6.

[57] John 20:25.

[58] His apostolic symbol according to Catholic and some Protestant traditions is a group of spears, stones and arrows.