Who were the first two disciples of Jesus and the chronological order of the others

As we delve deeper into the New Testament of the Bible, we come across fascinating stories that shaped Christianity.

One of these stories concerns the first disciples of Jesus Christ. This article will illuminate the dark corners of these biblical characters, starting with the first two disciples and proceeding in chronological order for the rest.

The First Disciples

The gospel of John (1:35-42) tells us that Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was Jesus' first disciple. He was a disciple of John the Baptist, and upon hearing John the Baptist refer to Jesus as “the Lamb of God”, he followed Jesus and spent the day with him.

Later, Andrew introduced his brother, Peter, to Jesus. Therefore, Andrew and Peter are considered the first two disciples.

Andrew

André, although not as famous as his brother Pedro, has a significant role. He is often remembered as the “disciple who brings Jesus.” It was Andrew who presented the boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus at the multiplication of the loaves (John 6:8-9).

Pedro

Peter, a fisherman by profession, is one of the most central characters in the New Testament. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Peter was a fundamental leader among the apostles and is considered the first pope by the Catholic Church.

The Next Disciples

After Andrew and Peter, the Gospel of Mark (1:19-20) tells us about the calling of two brothers, James and John. They were sons of Zebedee and were mending their fishing nets when Jesus called them.

These brothers, known as “sons of thunder”, were the next to join the group of disciples.

James and John

James, the eldest son of Zebedee, is often referred to as James the Greater to distinguish him from another disciple also named James. He was one of the three disciples who witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8).

John, the younger brother, is traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of John. He is often portrayed as the disciple whom Jesus loved and was the only one of the twelve apostles who did not die of martyrdom.

Philip and Bartholomew

Philip is the next disciple mentioned in the gospels. In the Gospel of John (1:43-51), it is said that Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow me.” Philip, in turn, found Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, and led him to Jesus.

Bartholomew or Nathanael is a little more mysterious than the other disciples. He is recognized for his honesty and simplicity.

When Philip introduced him to Jesus, Nathanael asked, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46), to which Jesus replied, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no falsehood.”

The Last Disciples

The other disciples – Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the Zealot) and Judas Iscariot – are mentioned in the gospels, but the exact order of their calling is not clearly established. Each of them brought a unique dynamic to the group and contributed to the spread of Jesus' message.

Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before following Jesus. Thomas is famous for his initial disbelief in the resurrection of Jesus. James, son of Alphaeus, is often called James the Less.

Thaddeus, also known as Lebeu, is the least mentioned disciple in the gospels. Simon the Zealot was probably a member of the Zealots, a radical Jewish group. And finally, Judas Iscariot is known for betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

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Conclusion

Understanding who Jesus' first disciples were gives us deeper insight into the origins of Christianity. Each of them, with their particularities, shows us the diversity that made up the original group of Jesus' followers. From Andrew's simplicity to Peter's leadership, each played a role in spreading Jesus' teachings.

FAQ

“Were André and Pedro brothers?“

Yes, André and Pedro were brothers.

“Why is André important?“

Andrew is known as the 'disciple who brings to Jesus'. He introduced Peter to Jesus and also brought the boy with five loaves and two fish for the multiplication of the loaves.

“What is the meaning of the name Pedro?“

The name Pedro comes from the Greek “Petros”, which means “stone”. Jesus said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”

“Who were Jesus' other disciples?“

Jesus' other disciples were James and John (sons of Zebedee), Philip, Bartholomew (or Nathanael), Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the Zealot) and Judas Iscariot.