How Many Disciples Did Jesus Have? Exploring the gospel!
One of the most intriguing questions that arise when exploring the life and teachings of Jesus Christ is: how many disciples did Jesus actually have?
We often hear about the Twelve Apostles, but the Bible refers to many others who followed Jesus during his earthly life.
In this article, we will not only clarify this question, but we will also take a deep dive into five of the most notable miracles performed by Jesus, helping us to further understand his message and influence.
After all, how many disciples did Jesus have?
The most well-known answer to this question is twelve.
According to the Gospels of the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus chose Twelve Apostles, who are often referred to as disciples.
They are: Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who was later replaced by Matthias after his betrayal.
However, it is important to note that Jesus had many other followers besides these twelve.
The term "disciple“actually refers to any follower of Jesus, and the gospels mention that large crowds followed him to hear his teachings.
The 5 greatest miracles of Jesus
The Transformation of Water into Wine
The first recorded miracle of Jesus in the Bible is the turning of water into wine, as noted in John (2:1-11).
During a wedding feast in Cana, when the wine ran out, Jesus performed the aforementioned miracle.
Remarkably, the wine produced was not just any wine, but the best wine offered at the feast.
The Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes
In the Gospel of Matthew, there is an account of a remarkable event – the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Matthew 14:13-21).
According to the text, Jesus miraculously provided food for a crowd of over five thousand individuals using just five loaves of bread and two fish.
Even after everyone had eaten as much as they wanted, there were still twelve baskets full of bread and pieces of fish left.
The Resurrection of Lazarus
The story of the Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44) is one of the most impressive miracles in the Bible.
It is said that Jesus Christ brought Lazarus back to life, even though he had died and been buried for four days.
This act was a testimony to Jesus' authority over life and death itself.
The Cure for the Man Born Blind
The biblical account of the Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-7) describes how Jesus performed a miraculous act of healing.
This involved healing a man who had suffered from blindness since birth.
Jesus created a paste by mixing saliva and powder, which he applied to the man's eyes.
He then instructed the man to purify himself in the pool of Siloam, after which the man's vision was restored.
Jesus Walking on the Water
In Matthew (14:22-33), it is recorded that Jesus exhibited a remarkable feat.
During a tumultuous storm, Jesus walked on the water to approach the boat housing his disciples.
This remarkable act revealed Jesus' divine nature and provided evidence of his power.
Furthermore, he reinforced the disciples' faith in him as a leader and teacher.
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Conclusion
Understanding the number of disciples that Jesus had goes beyond simply counting the twelve apostles.
Jesus had many followers during his earthly ministry and still has countless followers around the world today.
Furthermore, the miracles he performed, five of which we discuss here, demonstrate his love for humanity, his compassion for the afflicted, and his divine power.
Each miracle is a testimony to God's grace and power, serving as a source of faith and inspiration for all who read them.
FAQ – (Frequently Asked Questions)
“Who were Jesus’ twelve disciples?”
The twelve disciples of Jesus, also known as apostles, were Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who he was later replaced by Matias.
“Did Jesus have more disciples than the twelve apostles?”
Yes, Jesus had many other followers besides the twelve apostles.
The term “disciple” refers to any follower of Jesus, and the gospels mention that large crowds followed him.
“Is there a difference between a disciple and an apostle?”
Yes, there is a difference.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, technically, an apostle is a disciple who was sent to preach the gospel, while a disciple is a follower of Jesus.
“How did Jesus choose his disciples?”
Jesus chose his disciples personally.
For example, Peter and Andrew were fishermen when Jesus called them to become “fishers of men.”
“How many women are mentioned as disciples of Jesus?”
The New Testament mentions several women who followed Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus.
However, the term “disciple” is not often used to refer to these women.
“What happened to Jesus’ disciples after his death and resurrection?”
After Jesus' death and resurrection, the disciples became the first Christian missionaries.
They were sent to preach the gospel, making new disciples in all nations.
“Why was Judas Iscariot replaced among the twelve disciples?”
Judas Iscariot was the disciple who betrayed Jesus, leading to his crucifixion. After this betrayal, Judas hanged himself, as reported in Matthew (27:5).
Later, in Acts (1:15-26), the remaining disciples chose Matthias to replace Judas among the twelve.
