Learn about the Twelve Apostles, the primary disciples of Jesus according to the New Testament, and their role in spreading his teachings. Find out how they werecalled, commissioned,andmartyred,and the difference between apostles and prophets. In Christianity, a disciple is a dedicated follower of Jesus.
This term is found in the New Testament only in the Gospels and Acts. Originating in the ancient Near East, the concept of a disciple is an adherent of a teacher. Discipleship is not the same as being a student in the modern sense; a disciple in the ancient biblical world actively imitated both the life and teaching of the master.
It was a deliberate apprenticeship which made the fully formed disciple a living copy of the master.The New Testament records many followers of Jesus during his ministry. Some disciples were given a mission, such as the Little Commission, the commission of the seventy in Luke's Gospel, the Great Commission after the resurrection of Jesus, or the conversion of Paul, making them apostles, charged with proclaiming the gospel (the Good News) to the world. Jesus emphasised that being his disciples would be costly.
And when day came, He called Hisdisciplesto Him and chosetwelveof them, whom He also named apostles. ( Luke 6:12-13 ).Twelvemen responded to the call to bedisciplesofJesus. Learn the names, backgrounds and roles of the 12 apostles of Jesus, who were the foundation stones of His church.
Find out howthey were martyred, wrote the Bibleand followedtheir Lord in different ways. Sep 26, 2023 ·Learn about the 12 disciples of Jesus, who were chosen tocarry out His divine mission on earth.Discover their names, backgrounds, personalities, and roles in spreading the Gospel and establishing the early church. Nov 23, 2025 ·The 12 disciples ofJesusin order weren’t chosen randomly.Jesuscalled each disciple intentionally—and understanding the order in whichJesuscalled them helps you see how His disciple-making pattern unfolds.
How did the12disciplesofJesusdie? According to tradition, 11 of the disciples were martyred, although only James’ death is mentioned in the New Testament. TheTwelveDisciplesleft behind their ordinary lives to proclaim the extraordinary teachings ofJesus. They intimately witnessed the very dawn of Christianity.
Looking for the 12 Apostles /12DisciplesNames List? The worddisciplerefers to a learner or follower. The word apostle means “one who is sent out.” WhileJesuswas on earth, Histwelvefollowers were calleddisciples.