As an expert in historical and religious studies, it's my pleasure to delve into the historical accounts and biblical narratives to provide a comprehensive answer to your question regarding the death of the last of the 12 apostles.
The
Twelve Apostles, also known as the
Disciples, were individuals chosen by Jesus Christ to be his closest followers and to spread his teachings after his death. The traditional view is that these apostles were martyred, meaning they died for their faith, with the exception of one,
John, who is often said to have died of natural causes.
According to the information you've provided,
John is noted as the only apostle who did not die a violent death. He is believed to have passed away peacefully on the island of
Patmos in his old age, with the estimated time of his death being around
100 AD. This aligns with the traditional Christian belief that John lived a long life and was the last of the apostles to die.
However, it's important to note that historical records from this period are not always consistent and can be subject to interpretation. The dating of John's death is based on early Christian tradition and the writings attributed to him, such as the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation. Some scholars argue that the Book of Revelation, which claims to have been written by John while he was in exile on Patmos, suggests a later date for his life and possible death.
Regarding
Philip, he is traditionally recognized as one of the first disciples of Jesus. The claim that he became a missionary in Asia is rooted in Christian tradition, particularly in the Acts of Philip, a non-canonical text that provides additional narratives about the apostles' lives after the resurrection of Jesus. However, the historical accuracy of these texts is debated, and they are not considered part of the biblical canon.
The death dates of the apostles are not universally agreed upon by scholars. There are various accounts and legends that tell of their martyrdom, and these stories have been shaped by centuries of oral tradition and later written accounts. For example,
Peter, one of the most prominent apostles, is traditionally said to have been crucified upside down in Rome under Emperor Nero, but the exact date of his death is not definitively known.
In summary, while the traditional view holds that John was the last of the apostles to die a natural death around 100 AD, it's crucial to approach these historical accounts with a critical eye, recognizing the limitations of the sources and the influence of religious tradition on the narratives that have been passed down through the centuries.
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