| rdfs:comment | - In the History of Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. While Jesus attracted a large following, the term disciple is commonly used to refer specifically to "the Twelve", an inner circle of men whose number perhaps represented the twelve tribes of Israel. In addition to the Twelve, the gospels and the Book of Acts refer to varying numbers of disciples that range between 70 and 120 to a "growing multitude". Jesus controversially accepted women and sinners (those who violated purity laws) among his followers, though it's not clear they were disciples. In the book of Acts, the Apostles themselves have disciples. The word disciple is used today as a way of self-identification for those who seek to learn from the teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on th
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| abstract | - In the History of Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. While Jesus attracted a large following, the term disciple is commonly used to refer specifically to "the Twelve", an inner circle of men whose number perhaps represented the twelve tribes of Israel. In addition to the Twelve, the gospels and the Book of Acts refer to varying numbers of disciples that range between 70 and 120 to a "growing multitude". Jesus controversially accepted women and sinners (those who violated purity laws) among his followers, though it's not clear they were disciples. In the book of Acts, the Apostles themselves have disciples. The word disciple is used today as a way of self-identification for those who seek to learn from the teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on the Mount. The term disciple is derived from the New Testament Greek word "μαθητής". ., coming to English by way of the Latin discipulus meaning "a learner". Disciple should not be confused with apostle, meaning ""messenger, he that is sent"". . While a disciple is one who learns from a teacher, a student, an apostle is sent to deliver those teachings to others. The word disciple appears two hundred and thirty two times in the four gospels and Several disciples are historical figures, notably James the Just, Peter and John, the pillars of the Jerusalem church during Paul's missions. The canonical gospels name Peter as the first among the disciples, the first to name Jesus the messiah, on whom the church is built, called to feed Jesus' sheep, see also Primacy of Simon Peter. Paul named him the Apostle to the Jews, as Paul claimed the title Apostle to the Gentiles, see also Circumcision controversy in early Christianity. John's tradition was strong in Asia Minor, where the gospel of John was likely composed. In the synoptics, Peter, John, and James witness Jesus' transfiguration. Thomas is associated with a sayings tradition that features gnostic elements, and he appears in John as "doubting Thomas." The gospels Matthew and John have traditionally been attributed to these disciples, and Mark associated with Peter's teaching, though modern scholars generally take these gospels as anonymous. Many of Jesus' first followers had been disciples of John the Baptist.
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