The Disciples are often mentioned in the Bible, and you might have heard about them in church or in pop culture, but who were they? Were they even real people?
The twelve disciples were Jesus’ closest followers, chosen to walk with Him and learn from Him during his ministry in the 1st century BC. After Jesus ascended back to heaven, they played a big role in spreading the Gospel and building the early church.
But who were the twelve disciples, really? Keep reading to discover more about each of these followers and friends of Jesus.
The Twelve Disciples Names
The Bible lists the names of the twelve disciples in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, and Luke 6:13-16. Here they are:
● Peter
● James son of Zebedee
● John
● Andrew
● Bartholomew or Nathanael
● James son of Alphaeus
● Judas
● Jude or Thaddeus
● Matthew or Levi
● Philip
● Simon the Zealot
● Thomas
Who Were Jesus’ Disciples?
While the Bible doesn’t give us a lot of details about each disciple, here’s a look at what we do know about their backgrounds, characteristics, and occupations. Remember, these were ordinary people called by Jesus to do extraordinary things!
Peter
Peter was part of Jesus’ innermost circle, along with James and John, spending more time with Jesus than the other twelve. Peter can be described as bold, passionate, and sometimes a bit impulsive. He was a fisherman by trade until Jesus called him to follow. Although Peter famously denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62), he later became a strong church leader and wrote the New Testament books, 1 and 2 Peter.
James Son of Zebedee
As the second member of Jesus’ closest circle, James got a front-row seat to some incredible miracles. While we don’t know much about James, we do know he and his brother John were nicknamed the “Sons of Thunder,” which may refer to his fiery personality!
John
James’ brother John was the third member of Jesus’ innermost circle and known as the “disciple Jesus loved (John 13:23).” Wouldn’t we all want that nickname? John had a deep understanding of God’s love as evident in his writings, the Gospel of John, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Revelation.
Andrew
Andrew was Peter’s quieter brother. Like his brother, Andrew was a fisherman before dropping his nets to follow Jesus. Known for his eagerness to point others to Jesus, Andrew was the one who introduced Peter to Jesus (John 1:40).
Bartholomew/Nathanael
Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, was known for his deep faith and love for God (John 1:47). He’s often mentioned alongside Philip, suggesting the two may have shared a close friendship.
James Son of Alphaeus
James, often called “James the Less,” kept a low profile, so we don’t know much about him. But what we do know is this: Jesus chose him to be one of His faithful disciples, and that speaks volumes!
Judas Iscariot
Judas was the tragic disciple who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and afterward hanged himself (Matthew 26:14,16). Today Judas is famously known as the “traitor.” Later, Matthias replaced Judas as the twelfth disciple (Acts 1:15-26).
Jude/Thaddeus
Jude or Thaddeus was a humble and faithful disciple who asked Jesus the deep question, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large? (John 14:22).” Some believe he may have been the same Jude as Jesus’ brother.
Matthew/Levi
Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector, known for stealing money from the people of Israel. But he left his job as a tax collector to follow Jesus and later wrote the Gospel of Matthew, a true testament to God’s grace (Matthew 9:9).
Phillip
While the Bible doesn’t tell us much about Philip, he is thought to be a curious follower, always asking questions and bringing other people, like Nathanael, to meet Jesus (John 1:45).
Simon the Zealot
Once a political activist, Simon traded his zeal for the kingdom of Israel to passionately follow Jesus’ kingdom of heaven.
Thomas
Nicknamed “Doubting Thomas,” this disciple was a skeptical yet loyal disciple of Jesus. He wanted proof of Jesus’ resurrection before boldly declaring, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). His story reminds us that questions can lead to deeper faith.
The twelve disciples were just like us—flawed, ordinary people—yet Jesus hand-picked them to spread His love and truth to the world. From bold leaders like Peter to quiet seekers like Andrew, each disciple contributed to the Kingdom in their own way.
Their lives remind us that God uses imperfect people from all different walks and backgrounds for His extraordinary purposes! And we too are followers of Jesus, called to carry out the same Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20).”
Discover more about the life of Jesus at . Listen to encouraging messages and explore our ministries, designed to help you walk in His footsteps. Visit us at .