Christian Martyr - Matthias the Apostle

Know that much is not really known when it comes to Matthias. But what we do know when it comes to him, deals with the fact that he was eventually elected to replace Judas - the disciple that had betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of sliver.

"Then Judas, His [Jesus] betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.'" - Matthew 27:3,4

We also know that the name "Matthias" signifies "gift of God."

He was also in the group of the seventy two disciples that Jesus had sent out before him:

"After this the Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go." - (Luke 10:1)

Now for me personally, I think that this interesting to know, being that we'd always heard about the twelve disciples that always traveled in Jesus' inner circle - but there's hardly anything that's mentioned about the seventy-two disciples that Jesus had sent out ahead of Him.

Now when it comes to these seventy-two disciples, understand that this was a group of men who'd worked courageously and tirelessly behind the scenes. Know that Jesus had sent them out two-by-two, and to every place and town that He was headed towards, in which he gave them these instructions:

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house." - (Luke 10:2-7)

And it was during these days that we'd had learnt that Peter had stood up among the group of believers which numbered around 120. It would be at this time that Peter had told them about the disciple Judas and how he had betrayed Jesus. Peter spoke about how Judas had went and brought himself a field with the money he had earn for his betrayal against his Teacher.

Peter continues to tell them how Judas had hung himself in the same field that he had brought, and after doing so, he spoke about how Judas body had burst open - spilling out his intestines in the process. And after everyone in Jerusalem had heard about this horrific tragedy, they named that field - "The Field of Blood."

And it would be at this time that we now have Peter confirming that this group that was simply known as "the seventy-two disciples." Peter reveals how they were with Jesus from the very beginning of His ministry. And they were with Him all the way up, to when He actually ascended to the Eternal Kingdom:

"Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time Jesus was taken from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." - (Acts 1:21-22)

And after Peter had said this to those who were gathered around listening - they had proposed that the choice to replace Judas should be between two men? One which was Joseph who was also called Barsabbas, who also had the surname "Justus" and the second person was called Matthias:

"And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, 'You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.'" - Acts 1:23-25

Now after they had made the decision that the final choice would be between these two men, they then prayed to the Lord asking Him to show them which one, out of these two, He'd preferred. Then they cast lots and the lots fell to Matthias, who was then added to the eleven apostles: "And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles." - Acts 1:26

Now when it comes to the martyrdom of Matthias, much is not known, but rumor has it, that Matthias had been stoned in Jerusalem and soon after he was stoned - he was then beheaded.

1) Stephen the Deacon

2) James the Apostle

3) Philip the Apostle

4) Matthew the Apostle

5) Andrew the Apostle

6) <-CURRENT CHRISTIAN MARTYR PAGE->

7) John Rogers

8) Alban of Verlamium