Many people are familiar with the names of Jesus’ disciples, but did you know that there is a specific order in which they were chosen In this article, we will explore the order in which Jesus chose his disciples and the significance of this order.
The First Disciples: Simon Peter and Andrew
The first two disciples that Jesus chose were brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew. They were fishermen from the town of Bethsaida.
According to the Gospel of John, they were originally disciples of John the Baptist. However, when John pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God, they followed him instead (John 1:35-40). It is interesting to note that Peter would later become one of Jesus’ closest and most trusted disciples.
The Next Two Disciples: James and John
James and John were also brothers who worked as fishermen with their father Zebedee. They were called by Jesus while they were mending their nets on their boat (Mark 1:19-20). These two brothers would become known as the “Sons of Thunder” because of their fiery personalities.
The Fifth Disciple: Philip
Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Peter and Andrew. He was called by Jesus soon after Peter and Andrew (John 1:43-44). Philip is best known for introducing Nathanael to Jesus.
The Sixth Disciple: Nathanael (Bartholomew)
Nathanael was a friend of Philip’s whom he introduced to Jesus. When Nathanael initially heard about Jesus from Philip, he was skeptical that anything good could come from Nazareth. However, after meeting Jesus in person, Nathanael became a believer (John 1:45-51).
The Third and Fourth Disciples: Philip and Bartholomew
The order in which Philip and Bartholomew were called is not entirely clear. Some scholars believe that they were called together, while others believe that Philip was called first and then introduced Bartholomew to Jesus.
The Seventh Disciple: Matthew (Levi)
Matthew was a tax collector before he became a disciple of Jesus. He was called by Jesus while sitting at his tax booth (Matthew 9:9-13). It is significant that Jesus would call someone from such an unpopular profession to be one of his disciples.
The Eighth Disciple: Thomas (Didymus)
Thomas is best known for his doubt about Jesus’ resurrection. However, before that incident, he was one of Jesus’ most loyal followers. He was called along with the other disciples but is not mentioned as often in the Gospels.
The Ninth Disciple: James (Son of Alphaeus)
James, the son of Alphaeus, is not mentioned as much as some of the other disciples. However, he is still an important member of the group.
The Tenth Disciple: Thaddaeus (Judas, Son of James)
Thaddaeus is also known as Judas, son of James. He is sometimes confused with Judas Iscariot because they share a name. However, Thaddaeus is not to be confused with Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.
The Eleventh Disciple: Simon the Zealot
Simon the Zealot was a member of a political party that sought to overthrow Roman rule in Israel. It is interesting that Jesus would choose someone with such radical political views to be one of his disciples.
The Twelfth and Final Disciple: Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was chosen last and would become known for betraying Jesus. It is worth noting that Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray him (John 6:70-71).
- Simon Peter and Andrew, brothers who were fishermen from Bethsaida
- James and John, brothers who were also fishermen with their father Zebedee
- Philip, from Bethsaida
- Nathanael (Bartholomew), a friend of Philip’s
- Thomas (Didymus)
- Matthew (Levi), a tax collector
- James, son of Alphaeus
- Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James)
- Simon the Zealot
- Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus
The Significance of the Order in Which the Disciples Were Chosen
The order in which Jesus chose his disciples is significant for a few reasons. First, it shows that he was deliberate in his choices. He did not simply choose any twelve men but specifically chose those whom he knew would carry on his message after he was gone.
Secondly, the order in which they were chosen is significant because it shows that Jesus did not discriminate based on social status or profession. He called both fishermen and tax collectors to be his disciples.
Finally, the order in which they were chosen is significant because it shows that even though Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, he was still an important member of the group. This indicates that all people have value and can contribute to the work of God.
In Conclusion..
In conclusion, we have seen that there is a specific order in which Jesus chose his disciples. This order is significant because it shows that Jesus was deliberate in his choices, did not discriminate based on social status or profession, and valued all people. As we reflect on this, may we also remember that we too have value and can contribute to the work of God.