Peter (Simon Peter):

Peter, originally named Simon, was one of the most prominent apostles of Jesus Christ. He was a fisherman by trade, living in Bethsaida and later Capernaum, and was called by Jesus to become a "fisher of men" (Matthew 4:19). Peter is often considered the leader of the twelve apostles and is frequently mentioned first in lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:2).

Peter's character is depicted as bold and impetuous, often speaking or acting before thinking. He is known for his declaration of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16), for which Jesus blessed him, saying, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18). Despite his strong faith, Peter also experienced moments of weakness, most notably when he denied Jesus three times during the events leading up to the crucifixion (Matthew 26:69-75).

After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter, asking him three times, "Do you love Me?" and commissioning him to "Feed My sheep" (John 21:15-17). Peter played a crucial role in the early church, as seen in the Book of Acts, where he delivered the sermon at Pentecost, resulting in the conversion of about three thousand people (Acts 2:14-41). He also performed miracles, such as healing the lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-10), and was instrumental in the inclusion of Gentiles into the church, as evidenced by his vision and subsequent visit to Cornelius (Acts 10).

Peter authored two epistles, 1 Peter and 2 Peter, which address themes of suffering, holiness, and the return of Christ. Tradition holds that Peter was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero, crucified upside down at his own request, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

John (John the Apostle):

John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James, was one of the twelve apostles and part of Jesus' inner circle, along with Peter and James. He is often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23) and is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of John, three epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John), and the Book of Revelation.

John's close relationship with Jesus is evident in several key moments, such as the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) and the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42). He was present at the crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to him (John 19:26-27).

John's writings emphasize the divinity of Christ, love, and the importance of truth. The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the eternal Word made flesh (John 1:1-14) and includes unique accounts of Jesus' ministry, such as the raising of Lazarus (John 11) and the washing of the disciples' feet (John 13:1-17).

In the Book of Revelation, John records his apocalyptic visions while exiled on the island of Patmos, offering a prophetic glimpse into the end times and the ultimate victory of Christ (Revelation 1:9). Tradition holds that John was the only apostle to die of natural causes, living to an old age and serving as a leading figure in the early church, particularly in Ephesus.

James (James the Greater):

James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John, was one of the twelve apostles and part of Jesus' inner circle. He is often referred to as "James the Greater" to distinguish him from James the son of Alphaeus and James, the brother of Jesus. James and John were nicknamed "Boanerges," meaning "Sons of Thunder," likely due to their zealous and fiery nature (Mark 3:17).

James was present at significant events in Jesus' ministry, such as the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) and the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-43). He, along with John, once asked Jesus for permission to call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village that rejected them, demonstrating their fervent, albeit misguided, zeal (Luke 9:54).

James was the first of the apostles to be martyred, executed by King Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD (Acts 12:1-2). His martyrdom marked a significant moment in the early church, highlighting the cost of discipleship and the persecution faced by the followers of Christ. James' legacy is one of faithfulness and dedication, serving as a powerful example of commitment to the gospel even unto death.