How Many Disciples Did Jesus Have in the Beginning?

When it comes to the question of how many disciples Jesus had in the beginning, there is no clear cut answer. The Bible gives us different numbers at different times, and it is up to interpretation. However, we can try to piece together the information we have and come up with a general idea.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus began his ministry by calling two sets of brothers – Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and James and John. These four men were fishermen who left their nets behind to follow Jesus. (Matthew 4:18-22) This gives us a starting point of four disciples.

The Gospel of Luke adds that Jesus also called Levi (Matthew), a tax collector, to be his disciple. (Luke 5:27-28) This brings the total number of disciples up to five.

Later on in Luke’s Gospel, it says that Jesus appointed seventy-two others and sent them out in pairs ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. (Luke 10:1) Some scholars argue that these seventy-two were not technically “disciples” since they were only sent out for a specific mission, but others count them as such. If we include them, then the number jumps up significantly.

The Gospel of John mentions five specific disciples – Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael (Bartholomew), and Judas Iscariot – but also says that there were others who followed Jesus as well. (John 1:35-51)

So how many disciples did Jesus have in the beginning? Depending on how you interpret the information we have available, it could be anywhere from four to seventy-seven or more if you include unnamed followers.

Regardless of the exact number, what is clear is that these early followers left everything behind to follow Jesus and learn from him. They became his closest companions during his ministry on earth and went on to spread his message throughout the world after his death and resurrection. Their faithfulness and willingness to follow Jesus serve as an inspiration to all who seek to follow him today.

In conclusion, while we may not know the exact number of disciples Jesus had in the beginning, what is important is that these men and women were willing to leave behind their old lives and follow him. Their example teaches us the importance of putting our faith in Jesus and following him wholeheartedly.