The disciples of Jesus are some of the most well-known figures in the Bible. They were hand-picked by Jesus himself to spread his teachings and carry out his mission.
But have you ever wondered what kind of jobs these men had before they became disciples? Let’s take a closer look.
Fishing
Several of the disciples were fishermen before they met Jesus. In fact, when Jesus first called Peter, James, and John to follow him, they were in the midst of fishing (Matthew 4:18-22).
Fishing was a common profession in those days, especially for those who lived near the Sea of Galilee. It required skill and patience, as well as physical strength to haul in heavy nets filled with fish.
Tax Collecting
Matthew (also known as Levi) was a tax collector before he became a disciple (Matthew 9:9). Tax collectors were often viewed with suspicion and disdain by their fellow Jews because they worked for the Roman government and sometimes collected more than what was required. However, when Jesus called Matthew to follow him, he left his old profession behind and became one of Jesus’ closest companions.
Farming
Although it’s not specifically mentioned in the Bible, it’s possible that some of the other disciples were farmers. Agriculture was another common profession in Israel at that time, especially for those who lived outside of cities. It required hard work and a deep knowledge of the land and its seasons.
Other Professions
There isn’t much information about what other professions the disciples may have had before meeting Jesus. However, it’s safe to assume that they came from a variety of backgrounds and had different skills and experiences.
Regardless of their previous professions, all of the disciples left everything behind when they decided to follow Jesus. They gave up their livelihoods, their families, and their old way of life to become his disciples. This wasn’t an easy decision, but they believed that following Jesus was worth it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the disciples of Jesus had a variety of professions before they became his followers. Some were fishermen, others were tax collectors, and still others may have been farmers or had other jobs. But no matter what their background was, they all left everything behind to follow Jesus and spread his message to the world.