The “Thirteen” Disciples/Apostles

Mark 3:13-21

Simon** (Peter-Jesus renamed him ‘Cephas’) vs. 16

· Son of Jona—Simon bar-Jona (Matthew 16:17); former fisherman; married (Mark 1:30)

· The rock (Matthew 16:18); Petra (gr. a stone)

· Worked as partners with James and John of Zebedee (Luke 5:10)

· Brought to Jesus by his brother Andrew

· Believed to have been martyred– tradition has it that he was crucified upside down in Rome??? (See John 21:18-19 – Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s death)

Andrew (brother of Simon Peter), vs. 18

· Son of Jona

· Seasoned fisherman in Capernaum (north coast of the Sea of Galilee)

· Native of Bethsaida (shore of Sea of Galilee)

· Evangelized Peter – heard John the Baptist preach/took Simon Peter to Jesus (John 1:41)

· Worked as partners with James and John of Zebedee (Luke 5:10)

James** (brother of John) vs. 17

· Son of Zebedee and Salome (possible sister of the Virgin Mary Matt. 27:56)

· Seasoned fisherman in Capernaum (north coast of the Sea of Galilee)

· Partners with Simon Peter and Andrew

· Was martyred by King Herod. . .with the sword (Acts 12:2)

John** (brother of James), vs. 17

· Son of Zebedee and Salome (possible sister of the Virgin Mary) (Matt. 27:56)

· Seasoned fisherman in Capernaum

· Partners with Simon Peter and Andrew

· Wrote the Gospel of John and the letters: I, II, III John

· Was later exiled to the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9)

· Wrote the book of the Revelation

Philip, vs. 18

· Native of Bethsaida in Galilee – like Andrew and Peter (John 1:44)

· Brought the skeptical Nathanael/Bartholomew to Jesus

· Instrumental in introducing some Greek Gentiles to Jesus

Bartholomew (Nathanael), vs. 18

· Possibly the same disciple as Nathanael (John 1:45)

· Mentioned in all of the synoptic gospels and the book of Acts

· Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus and is also associated with Bartholomew in the book of Acts and the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke)

· Nathanael -- A Galilean who was very pious and skeptical of Jesus since he was from Nazareth (John 1:46 Can any good thing come out of Nazareth)

· Possible missionary ministry in India (Eusebius – church historian)

Matthew (Levi), vs. 18

· Tax collector/publican in the employ of Herod Antipas (stationed in Capernaum)

· Author of the Synoptic Gospel of Matthew

Thomas (gr. “Didymus), vs. 18

· Also referred to as “doubting Thomas” (John 11:16)

· Doubted Christ’s resurrection – needed proof from Christ (John 20:24-29)

· Absent during Christ’s first post resurrection appearance to the disciples

James (son of Alphaeus), vs. 18

· The “younger” disciple (Mark 15:40)

Thaddeus, vs. 18

· Referred to as Judas (the son of James) in some places (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13)

Simon (the Canaanite), vs. 18

· Also referred to as Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15)

· Strongly opposed to Roman rule over the Jewish nation

Judas Iscariot (the betrayer), vs. 19

· Treasurer of the “Disciples”

· Betrayed Jesus to the Jewish Chief Priests for 30 pieces of silver

· Committed suicide (hung himself) after plot was hatched and Jesus was to be crucified (Matthew 27:3-5)

· Scripture says Judas regretted what he had done (Matthew 27:3)

Matthias (Acts 1:15-26)

• Judas’ replacement -- chosen after prayer (beat out Joseph called Barsabbas)
• Both had been with Jesus since beginning of His ministry until His ascension

Notes:

**Jesus’ inner circle – Peter, James and John

Disciples – learners-ones being trained /Apostles – those who are sent

Other accounts of Jesus’ disciples/apostles: Matthew 10:2-4; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13

KBF, Inc. 2005