Bible Encyclopedia: Andrew

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ANDREW

an'-droo (Andreas, i.e. "manly." The name has also been interpreted as "the mighty one, or conqueror"): Andrew was the first called of the Twelve Apostles.

I. In New Testament.

1. Early History and First Call:

Andrew belonged to Bethsaida of Galilee (compare John 1:44). He was the brother of Simon Peter and his father's name was John (compare John 1:42; John 21:15, 16, 17). He occupies a more prominent place in the Gospel of John than in the synoptical writings, and this is explicable at least in part from the fact that Andrew was Greek both in language and sympathies (compare infra), and that his subsequent labors were intimately connected with the people for whom John was immediately writing. There are three stages in the call of Andrew to the apostleship. The first is described in John 1:35-40. Andrew had spent his earlier years as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, but on learning of the fame of John the Baptist, he departed along with a band of his countrymen to Bethabara (the Revised Version (British and American) "Bethany") beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing (John 1:28). Possibly Jesus was of their number, or had preceded them in their pilgrimage. There Andrew learned for the first time of the greatness of the "Lamb of God" and "followed him" (John 1:40). He was the means at this time of bringing his brother Simon Peter also to Christ (John 1:41). Andrew was probably a companion of Jesus on his return journey to Galilee, and was thus present at the marriage in Cana of Galilee (John 2:2), in Capernaum (John 2:12), at the Passover in Jerusalem (John 2:13), at the baptizing in Judea (John 3:22), where he himself may have taken part (compare John 4:2), and in Samaria (John 4:5).

2. Second Call and Final Ordination:

On his return to Galilee, Andrew resumed for a time his old vocation as fisherman, till he received his second call. This happened after John the Baptist was cast into prison (compare Mark 1:14 Matthew 4:12) and is described in Mark 1:16-18 Matthew 4:18, 19. The two accounts are practically identical, and tell how Andrew and his brother were now called on definitely to forsake their mundane occupations and become fishers of men (Mark 1:17). The corresponding narrative of Luke varies in part; it does not mention Andrew by name, and gives the additional detail of the miraculous draught of fishes. By some it has been regarded as an amalgamation of Mark's account with John 21:1-8 (see JAMES). After a period of companionship with Jesus, during which, in the house of Simon and Andrew, Simon's wife's mother was healed of a fever (Mark 1:29-31; compare Matthew 8:14, 15 Luke 4:38, 39); the call of Andrew was finally consecrated by his election as one of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:2 Mark 3:18 Luke 6:14 Acts 1:13).

3. Subsequent History:

Further incidents recorded of Andrew are: At the feeding of the five thousand by the Sea of Galilee, the attention of Jesus was drawn by Andrew to the lad with five sequent barley loaves and two fishes (John 6 History John 8.9). At the feast of the Passover, the Greeks who wished to "see Jesus" inquired of Philip, who turned for advice to Andrew, and the two then told Jesus (John 12:20-36). On the Mount of Olives, Andrew along with Peter, James and John, questioned Jesus regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world (Mark 13:3-23; compare also Matthew 24:3-28 Luke 21:5-24).

II. In Apocryphal Literature.

The name of Andrew's mother was traditionally Joanna, and according to the "Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles" (Budge, Contendings of the Apostles, II, 49) he belonged to the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of his father. A fragment of a Coptic gospel of the 4th or 5th century tells how not only Thomas (John 20:27), but also Andrew was compelled, by touching the feet of the risen Saviour, to believe in the bodily resurrection (Hennecke, Neutestamentlichen Apokryphen, etc., 38, 39). Various places were assigned as the scene of his subsequent missionary labors. The Syriac Teaching of the Apostles (ed Cureton, 34) mentions Bithynia, Eusebius gives Scythia (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, i, 1), and others Greece (Lipsius, Apokryphen Apostelgeschichten, I, 63). The Muratorian Fragment relates that John wrote his gospel in consequence of a revelation given to Andrew, and this would point to Ephesus (compare Hennecke id, 459). The Contendings of the Twelve Apostles (for historicity, authorship, etc., of this work, compare Budge, Contendings of the Apostles, Intro; Hennecke, Handbuch zu den neutestamentlichen Apokryphen, 351-58; RE, 664-66) contains several parts dealing with Andrew:

(1) "The Preaching of Andrew and Philemon among the Kurds" (Budge, II 163) narrates the appearance of the risen Christ to His disciples, the sending of Andrew to Lydia and his conversion of the people there.

(2) The "Preaching of Matthias in the City of the Cannibals" (Budge, II, 267; REH, 666) tells of how Matthias, on being imprisoned and blinded by the Cannibals, was released by Andrew, who had been brought to his assistance in a ship by Christ, but the two were afterward again imprisoned. Matthias then caused the city to be inundated, the disciples were set free, and the people converted.

(3) "The Acts of Andrew and Bartholomew" (Budge, II, 183) gives an account of their mission among the Parthians.

(4) According to the "Martyrdom of Andrew" (Budge, II, 215) he was stoned and crucified in Scythia.

According to the surviving fragments of "The Acts of Andrew," a heretical work dating probably from the 2nd century, and referred to by Eusebius (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, ii, 5), the scene of Andrew's death was laid in Achaia. There he was imprisoned and crucified by order of the proconsul Eges (or Aegeates), whose wife had been estranged from him by the preaching of Andrew (compare Hennecke, 459-73; Pick, Apocryphal Acts, 201-21; Lipsius, I, 543-622). A so-called "Gospel of Andrew" mentioned by Innocent I (Ep, I, iii, 7) and Augustine (Contra Advers. Leg. et Prophet., I, 20), but this is probably due to a confusion with the above-mentioned "Acts of Andrew." The relics of Andrew were discovered in Constantinople in the time of Justinian, and part of his cross is now in Peter's, Rome. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, whither his arm is said to have been transferred by Regulus. The ascription to him of the decussate cross is of late origin.

III. Character.

There is something significant in Andrew's being the first called of the apostles. The choice was an important one, for upon the lead given by Andrew depended the action of the others. Christ perceived that the soul's unrest, the straining after higher things and a deeper knowledge of God, which had induced Andrew to make the pilgrimage to Bethany, gave promise of a rich spiritual growth, which no doubt influenced Him in His decision. His wisdom and insight were justified of the after event. Along with a keenness of perception regarding spiritual truths was coupled in Andrew a strong sense of personal conviction which enabled him not only to accept Jesus as the Messiah, but to win Peter also as a disciple of Christ. The incident of the Feeding of the Five Thousand displayed Andrew in a fresh aspect: there the practical part which he played formed a striking contrast to the feeble-mindedness of Philip. Both these traits-his missionary spirit, and his decision of character which made others appeal to him when in difficulties-were evinced at the time when the Greeks sought to interview Jesus. Andrew was not one of the greatest of the apostles, yet he is typical of those men of broad sympathies and sound common sense, without whom the success of any great movement cannot be assured.

C. M. Kerr

Greek

406. Andreas -- "manly," Andrew, one of the twelve apostles of ...
... Andreas. 407 . "manly," Andrew, one ... Word Origin from aner Definition "manly," Andrew,
one of the twelve apostles of Christ NASB Word Usage Andrew (13). Andrew. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/406.htm - 6k

Library

Andrew of Crete
... Andrew of Crete. Andrew of Crete, so called because he was bishop of the island
of Crete, was born in Damascus in 660. He died about 732. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/andrew of crete.htm

St. Andrew of Crete
... St. Andrew of Crete. St. Andrew of Crete was born 660 AD, in the city
of Damascus. For the reason that he embraced the monastic ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/st andrew of crete.htm

St. Andrew
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR St. Andrew. [1005]268 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult. ...
/.../various/the hymnal of the protestant episcopal church in the usa/st andrew.htm

S. Andrew of Crete.
... S. Andrew of Crete. ... Andrew was born at Damascus, about the year 660, and embraced
the monastic life at Jerusalem, from which city he sometimes takes his name. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/s andrew of crete.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... To the Rev. Andrew Brandram. (Endorsed: recd. Feb.29th, 1836) Journal
continued BADAJOZ, 10th January 1836. The night had closed ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... To the Rev. Andrew Brandram. (Endorsed: recd. May 3rd, 1838) MADRID, April
23, 1838, CALLE SANTIAGO. REVD. AND DEAR SIR,"I have ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram 3.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... To the Rev. Andrew Brandram. (Endorsed: recd. Aug.23, 1837) Journey from
Astorga to Lugo Before proceeding to narrate what befell ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram 2.htm

Epistle xxxiii. To Andrew .
... Epistle XXXIII. To Andrew . To Andrew [32] . Gregory to Andrew. On hearing
that your Glory had been severely afflicted with grief ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxiii to andrew.htm

The Death of Saint Andrew.
... CHAPTER TWENTY. THE DEATH OF SAINT ANDREW. Saint George and Saint Andrew were
the last of all the Seven Champions who remained together ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter twenty the death of.htm

To Andrew, Monk of Constantinople.
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CXLIII. To Andrew, Monk of Constantinople.
I have never seen your piety nor have we ever communicated ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxliii to andrew monk of.htm

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Andrew

a strong man

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Andrew

(manly), one of the apostles of our Lord, (John 1:40; Matthew 4:18) brother of Simon Peter. He was of Bethsaida, and had been a disciple of John the Baptist, leaving him to follow our Lord. By his means his brother Simon was brought to Jesus. (John 1:41) His place among the apostles seems to have been fourth, next after the three Peter, James and John, and in company with Philip. (Mark 3:18; Acts 1:13) The traditions about him are various. He is said to have preached in Scythia, in Greece, in Asia Minor and Thrace, and to have been crucified at Patrae in Achaia.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Andrew

One of the twelve apostles, was of Bethsaida, and the brother of Peter, John 1:40,44. Being a disciple of John the Baptists, he understood the imitations of his master as to the Lamb of God, and was the first of the apostles to follow him, John 1:35-40, and come to the knowledge of the Messiah. Compare James 4:8. He was afterwards called as an apostle, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Matthew 4:18; and thenceforth followed Christ to the end, Mark 13:3 John 6:7 12:22. Of his later history nothing is known with certainty. It seems probable, however, that after preaching the gospel in Greece, and perhaps Thrace and Scythia, he suffered crucifixion at Patras in Achaia, on a cross of peculiar form, hence commonly known as "St. Andrew's cross."

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Manliness, a Greek name; one of the apostles of our Lord. He was of Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), and was the brother of Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18; 10:2). On one occasion John the Baptist, whose disciple he then was, pointing to Jesus, said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:40); and Andrew, hearing him, immediately became a follower of Jesus, the first of his disciples. After he had been led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, his first care was to bring also his brother Simon to Jesus. The two brothers seem to have after this pursued for a while their usual calling as fishermen, and did not become the stated attendants of the Lord till after John's imprisonment (Matthew 4:18, 19; Mark 1:16, 17). Very little is related of Andrew. He was one of the confidential disciples (John 6:8; 12:22), and with Peter, James, and John inquired of our Lord privately regarding his future coming (Mark 13:3). He was present at the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:9), and he introduced the Greeks who desired to see Jesus (John 12:22); but of his subsequent history little is known. It is noteworthy that Andrew thrice brings others to Christ, (1) Peter; (2) the lad with the loaves; and (3) certain Greeks. These incidents may be regarded as a key to his character.

Thesaurus

Andrew (12 Occurrences)
... 18; 10:2). On one occasion John the Baptist, whose disciple he then was, pointing
to Jesus, said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:40); and Andrew, hearing him ...
/a/andrew.htm - 20k

Bartholomew (4 Occurrences)
... the Oasis" (compare Budge, II, 90) he is referred to as preaching probably in the
oasis of Al Bahnasa, and according to the "Preaching of Andrew and Bartholomew ...
/b/bartholomew.htm - 10k

Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... or" Gospel of the Twelve Apostles" (of the 2nd century and mentioned by Origen)
Simon received his call to the apostleship along with Andrew and Peter, the ...
/z/zealot.htm - 12k

Philip (37 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Lover of horses. (1.) One of the twelve apostles; a
native of Bethsaida, "the city of Andrew and Peter" (John 1:44). ...
/p/philip.htm - 32k

Cananaean (2 Occurrences)
... or" Gospel of the Twelve Apostles" (of the 2nd century and mentioned by Origen)
Simon received his call to the apostleship along with Andrew and Peter, the ...
/c/cananaean.htm - 10k

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)
... or" Gospel of the Twelve Apostles" (of the 2nd century and mentioned by Origen)
Simon received his call to the apostleship along with Andrew and Peter, the ...
/c/canaanite.htm - 36k

Alphaeus (5 Occurrences)
... seems improbable. If they were brothers they would quite likely be associated
as are James and John, Andrew and Peter. Chrysostom ...
/a/alphaeus.htm - 12k

Brother (402 Occurrences)
... Chiefly employed in the natural sense, as of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8); of Joseph
and his brethren (Genesis 42:3); of Peter and Andrew, of James and John ...
/b/brother.htm - 47k

Named (428 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon named
Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a drag into the sea -- for they were ...
/n/named.htm - 33k

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)
... (1.) A town in Galilee, on the west side of the sea of Tiberias, in the "land of
Gennesaret." It was the native place of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and was ...
/b/bethsaida.htm - 19k

Bible Concordance

Andrew (12 Occurrences)

Matthew 4:18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 1:16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 1:29 Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 3:18 Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 13:3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 6:14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 1:40 One of the two who heard John, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

John 6:8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 12:22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 1:13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Andrew

Andrew of Bethsaida

Andrew: A Disciple of John

Andrew: An Apostle--A Fisherman

Andrew: Asks the Master Privately About the Destruction of the Temple

Andrew: Call of

Andrew: Finds Peter, his Brother, and Brings Him to Jesus

Andrew: His Name Appears in the List of the Apostles In

Andrew: Meets With the Disciples After the Lord's Ascension

Andrew: Reports the Number of Loaves at the Feeding of the Five Thousand

Andrew: Tells Jesus of the Greeks Who Sought to See Him