As a Christian, you may know a lot about Jesus Christ’s life and ministry on Earth. However, there are still many things that raise doubts and curiosity. For example, a very common question is “How Many Disciples Did Jesus Have?”. In Christianity, these disciples are also referred to as the “Apostles”. Basically, Jesus Christ had twelve closest disciples. However, other beliefs make the answer more complicated.
According to some scholars, the term disciple is used for many followers and individuals. Therefore, the answer to this question is quite complicated and depends on your belief. In other words, how you perceive the word “disciple” shapes the answer. If you are interested in discovering more information about this topic, stay tuned. Further, this blog uncovers and discusses How Many Disciples Did Jesus Have?.
How Many Disciples Did Jesus Have? What Are The Different Christian Ideologies?
If you are also wondering about the same question, the answer is pretty clear yet complex. According to the Gospels, there are only 12 disciples who were closest to Jesus Christ. In fact, they were appointed directly by him for ministry and leadership. Due to their special mission, these twelve people were the main disciples. Along the way, Jesus Christ developed a large following in Ancient Israel.
Some Christian experts believe that Jesus had 72 disciples, each with their own purpose in God’s plan. These larger groups of disciples also included several women. It is very common for the historical contexts to clash with modern Christian beliefs. In the end, you are free to believe whichever answer seems more suitable. Total number of disciples are determined by Gospel writings, holy scriptures, Christian history, and opinions of the scholars.
An Overview – How Many Disciples Did Jesus Have?
In early Christianity, these disciples had very important roles and responsibilities. They had to understand their mission and showcase leadership. Moving further as a community and sharing God’s teachings was their main goal. Actually, there are many differences between the 12 closest Apostles and the other 72 disciples.
Indeed, the twelve disciples are considered to be the closest allies and companions of Jesus Christ. They were able to witness and experience his ministry first hand. Moreover, these closest Apostles absorbed Jesus’ teachings and spread them further across Christians. The total number of 12 Apostles are also symbolic for the new Israel. In a way, they represent and mirror the 12 tribes of Ancient Israel.
The chapter Luke 10 in the Bible showcases Jesus Christ sending out 72 disciples for a mission. He gave them specific guidelines and instructions. This directly clashes with the concept of twelve Apostles. An example of his saying would be “The harvest is plenty, but there is a lack of workers”. This larger group of disciples included many men and women.
To clear all the confusion, we have to directly analyse Jesus’ way of doing things. In a way, the 12 disciples were appointed specially and were the closest to Jesus Christ. These Apostles had a major role to play in early Christianity. Meanwhile, the 72 disciples were followers that Jesus accumulated throughout his journey on earth.
The 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ – Complete List
A list of the 12 closest disciples of Jesus Christ has been provided below:
| No. | Name Of The Disciple |
|---|---|
| 1. | Simon (a.k.a Peter) |
| 2. | Andrew |
| 3. | James (Son of Zebedee) |
| 4. | John |
| 5. | Philip |
| 6. | Bartholomew |
| 7. | Thomas |
| 8. | Matthew |
| 9. | James (Son of Alphaeus) |
| 10. | Thaddeus |
| 11. | Simon The Zealot |
| 12. | Judas Iscariot |
Understanding The 12 Apostles & Their Stories
In this blog, we are highlighting the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and their contribution. It is important to know their stories while being the closest to the Son of God. Further, we will discuss each Apostle individually:
- Simon Peter: He is also identified as Peter. Jesus Christ gave him this nickname and it means rock. According to Christian history, he was a humble fisherman hailing from Bethsaida. Simon Peter is known to be among the first and most prominent disciples. As time passed, he became very close to Jesus Christ. In the Bible Gospels, Simon Peter is known to speak for and represent the 12 Apostles. Therefore, he had the role of a leader among the main disciples. In Matthew 16:16, Simon confessed that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He even had the honour of walking on water with Jesus Christ and preaching. Indeed, Simon became a central figure in the Christianity.
- Andrew: In the historical context, Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. Just like his sibling, he also worked as a fisherman. Being among the first disciples showcases his importance. Before becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, Andrew followed John The Baptist. His role was to bring other humans to Jesus Christ. In fact, he was the one who introduced Simon Peter in front of Jesus.
- James: He is often referred to as the Son of Zebedee. In terms of identity, James was the brother of John. He was a fisherman originating from Galilee. At one point, James became a part of Jesus Christ’s inner circle. He even witnessed the Transfiguration event. James also saw Jairus’s daughter being raised. According to Acts 12:1-2, King Herod Agrippa 1 killed him. James was the first disciple of Jesus Christ who was murdered.
- John: This is the brother of James we mentioned earlier. Hence, he is also the Son of Zebedee. John also became a part of Jesus Christ’s close inner circle of disciples. In the Gospel of John, he is addressed as the most beloved disciple. He had a unique bond with Jesus Christ.
- Philip: After he heard the testimony of John The Baptist, Philip witnessed the presence of Jesus Christ for the first time. Philip was also responsible for introducing Jesus with his friend named Nathanael. His main role in Early Christianity was to bring more people to Jesus Christ. Aside from this, Philip was not as prominent as other disciples.
- Bartholomew: Some Christian scholars believe that Bartholomew and Nathanael were the same individuals. If this is true, then he was introduced to Jesus Christ by Philip. This is mentioned in the John 1:45-49 verse. After Pentecost, Bartholomew was responsible for preaching the gospel in different regions. For example, Armenia, India, etc.
- Thomas: He has a popular nickname i.e., Didymus. Initially, Thomas has doubts about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He insisted on seeing the proof before actually believing everyone. Specifically, Thomas wanted to see as well as touch the wounds of Jesus Christ. For the same reason, people labeled him “Doubting Thomas”. Later, he established his faith by calling Jesus his Lord and his God. Due to his strong faith, Thomas was also sent to India. His purpose was to preach the gospel and spread the teachings.
- Matthew: He is also known as Levi or The Publican. Matthew used to be a tax collector. In ancient Jewish society, this profession was frowned upon and perceived as negative. According to Matthew 9:9, this was before Matthew was called by Jesus. Thereafter, he became a devoted and faithful disciple. He is the author of the Gospel of Matthew.
- James: There was yet another James among the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. He was the son of Alphaeus. Even though not much is known about this disciple, James had a key role in early Christianity. He was one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ who always provided assistance.
- Thaddaeus: In the Bible, he is often addressed as Jude or Judas Son of James. Therefore, he has multiple names you can remember him by. According to John 14:22, Thaddaeus asked Jesus Christ that he didn’t want to reveal himself to the world. And, he would only reveal himself to the fellow disciples. Throughout his story, Thaddaeus engaged thoughtfully with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- Simon The Zealot: Formerly, he was associated with the Zealot Movement. It was a Jewish Nationalist Group in Ancient Israel. This movement directly opposed the rule of cruel Romans. Consequently, he was nicknamed Simon The Zealot. His political and social influence as a disciple was very useful for Jesus Christ.
- Judas Iscariot: This is the last and 12th disciple of Jesus Christ. Instead of being a loyal Apostle, Judas Iscariot is known for betraying Jesus Christ. He sold his honour for just 30 pieces of silver given by the Roman authorities. Due to the betrayal of Judas, Jesus Christ had to get arrested and crucified. After all this, Judas Iscariot took his own life and committed suicide. When Jesus was resurrected, Matthias replaced Judas as the 12th disciple.
Conclusion
The salvation of humanity wasn’t easy for Jesus Christ. With the help and contributions of his disciples, Jesus was able to shape the new world. Aside from the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, all the disciples were very faithful. They were chosen by Jesus not just to follow him but to lead. They traveled across the world and preached the gospel. Other responsibilities included introducing new people to Jesus Christ. In conclusion, it is hoped that your question was answered and you got a better understanding of the disciples.
FAQs
1. What were the roles of these disciples?
The 12 closest disciples were the followers and messengers of Jesus Christ.
2. How to differentiate between Apostle and Disciple?
The Apostle here refers to people sent by Jesus Christ with different responsibilities. Whereas, Disciple means student and followers.
3. Who was Judas Iscariot?
He was one of the closest disciples who betrayed Jesus Christ. His actions led to Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion.
Also, Read: Do Mormons Believe In Jesus? | How Tall Was Jesus?
