|
When Jesus walked on the earth he chose twelve men to follow closely and learn from him. These men spent about two years travelling with Jesus. They heard his teaching and parables, saw the miracles, and experienced life with the Lord on a daily basis. These were not learned theologians. Jesus ran into opposition from the religious establishment because he and his apostles often broke the rules. Who were these twelve called out to be disciples of Jesus?
Peter:
Peter is often called the leader of the twelve. He, along with James and John were the closest to Our Lord. Peter’s given name was Simon. Jesus gave him that name at their first meeting, Peter (Greek) or Cephas (Aramaic), both of which mean, “rock”. (John 1: 42) Peter died in Rome at the hands of Nero, the Emperor. His close companion in his latter days was young John Mark, author of the Gospel of Mark.
John:
John identifies himself in his own Gospel as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” (John 21:20) James and John were the sons of Zebedee. They were called together to leave their father’s fishing business and follow Jesus. John had a temper and Jesus nicknamed him “son of thunder” (Mk. 3:17) John probably also wrote 1,2 and 3 John and the Revelation.
Matthew:
Matthew had been a tax collector for the Romans. He was also called Levi. Author of Matthew’s Gospel.
James:
He was the brother of John (see above). James was the first of the apostles to die as a martyr. He was killed in 44 AD by Herod Agrippa I.
Andrew:
Andrew was from Bethsaida. Andrew and John were the first converts of Jesus. (John 1: 40,41) Peter was his brother.
Philip:
Came from the same town as Peter and Andrew.
Bartholomew:
(Nathanael) He was from Cana. Tradition says that he preached in what we now know as Iran.
Thomas:
One of twins. It was Thomas who had to “see” the scarred body of Jesus in order to believe that he had risen from the dead.
James:
Son of Alpheus. Called James the less to distinguish him from the other James.
Thaddeus:
Judas, son of James. Also called Lebbaeus. Was sent to Edessa, Syria, Arabia and Mesopotamia.
Simon:
He was also called the Zealot.
Judas Iscariot:
The one who betrayed Jesus. He came from a town in Judah, the only disciple not from Galilee. He hanged himself after Jesus was condemned to die.
Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to live an exemplary life, pay the ransom price for our sin, rise from the dead and conquer sin and death. If he had accomplished all of that and there had been no proclamation of his life, death and resurrection afterward, the story might have died on the cross with him. The twelve disciples (students and followers) would become apostles (emissaries or missionaries).
In Matthew 10: 1-42, Jesus sent the twelve out to the lost sheep of Israel. They were given the power to perform miracles in Jesus’ name. This was training for their mission after Jesus would be gone. In the days leading up to His final week on earth, Jesus focused on teaching his select group. Many of the best-loved portions of the Gospels are taken from his special addresses to the twelve. (John 13-17)
It seems that the apostles never really understood the true purpose of Jesus’ mission until after Pentecost. (Acts 2) They were waiting for a kingdom where they would be co-rulers with the Lord. They were looking for an overthrow of Roman authority. They didn’t understand that the New Kingdom of God would be built in the hearts of people.
That’s probably why Jesus performed miracles and was transfigured before them. He knew that the crucifixion would be devastating to his followers. The miracles reinforced the truth of the divine nature of Jesus, that even death on a cross could not destroy. At Pentecost, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, they understood and preached the Gospel all over the known world. Tradition says that all, except Judas and John, died as martyrs.
Sources:
New King James Version, Thomas Nelson, 1982
Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 2000
| 
