How many times is apostle mentioned in the Bible?
The word apostle appears 19 times in the King James Version, in 19 verses. Counting every form (apostle, apostles), it appears 79 times in 77 verses across 19 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses apostle 20 times (81 with every form).
Apostle in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of apostle counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| apostle | 19 | 20 |
| apostles | 60 | 61 |
| Total | 79 | 81 |
Which books mention apostle most
Apostle appears in 19 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Acts has the most (30), then 1 Corinthians (10) and Luke (6).
Also in: Titus (1), Hebrews (1), 1 Peter (1), Jude (1).
First and last mention of apostle
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The verse that uses it most is 1 Corinthians 15:9, 2 times (tied with 2 Corinthians 11:13):
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Where the two translations differ
0 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 2 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
2 Corinthians 8:23: counted in the World English Bible only
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.
Philippians 2:25: counted in the World English Bible only
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;
Verses with apostle on our topic pages
10 verses that use apostle in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
On: What Does the Bible Say About Lying? 28 Verses, What Does the Bible Say About Stealing? 30 Verses
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
On: Obedience
Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
On: Persecution
Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
On: What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues? 22 Verses
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?
On: What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues? 22 Verses
being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
On: Church
He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
On: Church
Common questions
How many times is apostle in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 0 of the 79 uses are in the Old Testament and 79 in the New Testament. Apostle appears in 19 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Acts has the most (30), then 1 Corinthians (10) and Luke (6).
Where is apostle first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Matthew 10:2: "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;" The last is Revelation 21:14.
More word counts: disciple, elder, gospel, parable, demon, judgment, wrath, vengeance, or all 253 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-05.