The Original 12 Disciples of Jesus Christ
Matthew 10:1-4: "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."
The 12 disciples of Jesus Christ were some of the most important figures in the history of Christianity and earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
There are many other disciples that were mentioned in the Bible, which shows that the first chosen 12 are not the only disciples.
The 12 disciples were chosen by Jesus himself to be his closest followers and companions and to carry on his message after he was gone.
Each of the disciples played a unique and major roles in Jesus' ministry, and their stories continue to inspire and challenge Christians today.
In this blog post, we look briefly to the lives of the twelve disciples, how they met Jesus, and the impact they had on his ministry and on the early Christian church.
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The Twelve Disciples of Jesus
1. Simon Peter
Simon Peter was a fisherman from Bethsaida who became one of Jesus' closest friends and confidants.
Peter was the first disciple called by Jesus, and he quickly became a leader among the disciples.
Peter was outspoken and impulsive, but he was also fiercely loyal to Jesus.
After Jesus' death, Peter became a prominent figure in the early Christian church and is widely regarded as the first pope.
Bible Appearance: Matthew 4:18-20, Matthew 16:13-20; Acts 1:15-26, 2:14-40, 10:9-48, 15:1-21, Galatians 2:11-14.
2. Andrew
Andrew is another disciple of Jesus, he was Simon Peter's brother and a fellow fisherman from Bethsaida.
Andrew was the first disciple to follow Jesus, and he immediately went to tell his brother about Jesus.
Andrew was a quiet and humble disciple who worked behind the scenes to support Jesus' ministry.
After Jesus' death, Andrew traveled to modern-day Turkey and Greece to preach the gospel.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 4:18-20, 10:2; John 1:35-42, 6:8-9, 12:20-22.
3. James, son of Zebedee
James was one of the "Sons of Thunder" along with his brother John.
James was a fisherman from Galilee who was known for his fiery temper and his willingness to defend Jesus at all costs.
James was present at the Transfiguration and was one of the first disciples to be martyred for his faith.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 4:21-22, 10:2, 17:1-8; Mark 1:19-20, 3:17, 9:2-8; Acts 12:1-2.
4. John, son of Zebedee
John was James' brother and another fisherman from Galilee.
John was known as the "beloved disciple" and was one of Jesus' closest friends.
John was present at the Last Supper and was the only disciple to witness Jesus' crucifixion.
After Jesus' death, John became a prominent figure in the early Christian church and wrote several books of the New Testament.
Bible Appearances:
- Matthew 4:21-22, 10:2, 17:1-8, 26:36-46;
- Mark 1:19-20, 3:17,
- Acts 1:12-14, 3:1-11,
- 1 John 1:1-4, 3:11-24, 4:7-21, 5:1-21;
- 2 John 1:1-13;
- 3 John 1:1-15;
- Revelation 1:1-20, 21:1-8.
5. Philip
Philip is also among the disciples of Jesus. He was a fisherman from Bethsaida who was called by Jesus to be a disciple.
Philip was a practical and analytical thinker who often asked questions and sought clarification from Jesus.
Philip was also responsible for introducing Nathanael to Jesus. After Jesus' death, Philip traveled to modern-day Turkey to preach the gospel.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14, John 1:43-51, 6:5-7, 12:20-22, 14:8-14; Acts 1:12-14, 6:1-6
6. Bartholomew
Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was a friend of Philip's who was skeptical about Jesus at first.
However, after meeting Jesus, Bartholomew became a devoted disciple.
Bartholomew is not mentioned much in the New Testament, but tradition holds that he preached the gospel in modern-day India.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 10:3; Luke 6:14, John 1:43-51, 21:2.
7. Thomas
Thomas, is the disciple of Jesus that is often called "Doubting Thomas,". He was a fisherman from Galilee who was initially skeptical about Jesus' resurrection.
However, after seeing Jesus' wounds and hearing his voice, Thomas became a devoted believer.
Thomas was known for his honesty and loyalty to Jesus. After Jesus' death, Thomas traveled to modern-day India to preach the gospel.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 10:3; Luke 6:15; John 11:16, 14:5, Acts 1:12-14.
8. Matthew
Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector who was despised by his fellow Jews.
However, after Jesus called him to be a disciple, Matthew left his old life behind and became a dedicated follower of Jesus.
Matthew was responsible for writing the Gospel of Matthew, which is one of the four canonical Gospels.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 9:9-13, 10:3; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32; Acts 1:12-14.
9. James, son of Alphaeus
James, son of Alphaeus, was one of the lesser-known disciples of Jesus.
He is not mentioned much in the New Testament, but tradition holds that he preached the gospel in modern-day Syria and Persia.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:12-14.
10. Thaddaeus
Thaddaeus, also known as Judas (not Iscariot), was another lesser-known disciple of Jesus. He is often confused with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Thaddaeus was known for his faithfulness and dedication to Jesus.
He is believed to have preached the gospel in modern-day Iraq and Iran.
Bible Appearance: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16; Acts 1:12-14.
11. Simon the Zealot
Simon the Zealot was a member of a radical political group called the Zealots, which opposed Roman rule.
It is unclear whether Simon was a member of this group before or after he became a disciple of Jesus.
Simon was known for his passion and enthusiasm, and he preached the gospel in modern-day Egypt and Libya.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:12-14.
12. Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot is perhaps the most infamous of all the disciples, as he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Judas' betrayal led to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. After Jesus' death, Judas hanged himself in despair.
Bible Appearances: Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16; John 6:70-71, 12:4-6, 13:21-30, 18:1-5; Acts 1:12-14.
Conclusion
The twelve disciples of Jesus played an important role in the spread of the gospel message throughout the world.
Each disciple had his own unique personality, strengths, and weaknesses, but together they formed a cohesive group that was dedicated to following Jesus and spreading his teachings.
By studying the lives of these disciples, we can learn valuable lessons about faith, loyalty, courage, and perseverance.
May we strive to follow in their footsteps and continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all the world.