Dear Rev. What were the occupations of the 12 disciples?
Peter, James (son of Zebedee) Andrew and John were all fishermen. Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector. The occupations of Philip, Bartholomew (Nathaniel), Thomas, Thaddaeus, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas Iscariot are not known. Some think that Bartholomew (Nathaniel), Thomas and two others were fisherman as well, but the fact that they decided to go fishing with the sons of Zebedee doesn’t confirm they were fishermen by trade (see John 20:1-3). Also, the occupation of Judas Iscariot is not known though some speculate he handled finances.