The Twelve Disciples and Apostles of Jesus
by Owen Borville
Jesus gradually attracted many followers during his ministry because of his teachings and his miraculous works. There were twelve disciples or apostles that spent the most time with him and knew him best.
Jesus' Calls His First Disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Zebedee)
The Gospel of Matthew describes Jesus finding his first disciples. As Jesus walked on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, who were fishermen "Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19.
Jesus also saw two other brothers, James and John, who were in a boat with their father Zebedee preparing their nets as fishermen (Matthew 4:21).
Matthew the Tax Collector Called
Jesus had an interesting collection of disciples, calling individuals from a variety of backgrounds to follow him. Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to be his disciple and as he was having dinner at Matthew's house, the Pharisees noticed this and asked Jesus' disciples why he "eats with tax collectors and sinners." Jesus replied, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Matthew 9:12).
Other Apostles and Disciples Called
The other disciples of Jesus are listed in Matthew 10:2-4:
Philip from Bethsaida
Bartholomew
Thomas
James son of Alphaeus
Thaddaeus (or Judas)
Simon (the Zealot or Canaanite)
Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus)
Matthias Replaced Judas
After the death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias was chosen by the apostles to replace Judas (Acts 1:26).
Paul (Saul)
Paul, also known as Saul, described himself as an apostle despite not being one of the original twelve. Paul was a Jewish religious leader who converted to Christianity following a miraculous experience after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ where he "saw Jesus" in a vision calling him (Acts 9:1-9).
by Owen Borville
Jesus gradually attracted many followers during his ministry because of his teachings and his miraculous works. There were twelve disciples or apostles that spent the most time with him and knew him best.
Jesus' Calls His First Disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Zebedee)
The Gospel of Matthew describes Jesus finding his first disciples. As Jesus walked on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, who were fishermen "Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19.
Jesus also saw two other brothers, James and John, who were in a boat with their father Zebedee preparing their nets as fishermen (Matthew 4:21).
Matthew the Tax Collector Called
Jesus had an interesting collection of disciples, calling individuals from a variety of backgrounds to follow him. Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to be his disciple and as he was having dinner at Matthew's house, the Pharisees noticed this and asked Jesus' disciples why he "eats with tax collectors and sinners." Jesus replied, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Matthew 9:12).
Other Apostles and Disciples Called
The other disciples of Jesus are listed in Matthew 10:2-4:
Philip from Bethsaida
Bartholomew
Thomas
James son of Alphaeus
Thaddaeus (or Judas)
Simon (the Zealot or Canaanite)
Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus)
Matthias Replaced Judas
After the death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias was chosen by the apostles to replace Judas (Acts 1:26).
Paul (Saul)
Paul, also known as Saul, described himself as an apostle despite not being one of the original twelve. Paul was a Jewish religious leader who converted to Christianity following a miraculous experience after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ where he "saw Jesus" in a vision calling him (Acts 9:1-9).
