In a general sense, a disciple is someone who follows a master, absorbing their teachings and emulating their ways. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, ‘disciple’ takes on a variety of nuances depending on the context, yet consistently points towards notions of avid adherence, fervent learning, and active propagation of a master’s teachings.
Who were the Biblical Disciples?
The term ‘disciple’ is most commonly associated with the twelve individuals chosen by Jesus to accompany Him during His ministry. These disciples, known as Apostles, were ordinary men with diverse backgrounds, called upon to serve an extraordinary mission. Aside from this group of twelve, the Bible also refers to the broader circle of Jesus’ followers as disciples. In the New Testament, hundreds, possibly thousands, of men and women were considered disciples of Jesus. Similar patterns of discipleship are reflected in the Old Testament narrative as well, where prophets had disciples who helped disseminate the tenets of their teachings.
What was the Role of Disciples in the Bible?
In the Bible, the fundamental role of disciples was to learn from and adhere to the teachings of their master. In the New Testament, Jesus’ disciples not only absorbed His teachings but were also active participants in His mission. They were entrusted with the task of spreading the Gospel, administering sacraments, and establishing Christian communities far and wide. Being a disciple, therefore, meant being an active participant in fulfilling God’s divine plans.
Where do Disciples appear in the Bible?
Disciples appear throughout the Bible, demonstrating their integral role in the biblical narrative. Their presence is particularly prominent in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, where they are central to the mission of Jesus Christ. The disciple Matthew, for instance, is traditionally understood to have written the Gospel that bears his name. In the Old Testament, the prophets Elijah and Elisha had disciples who helped transmit their prophetic message to the people.
Why are Disciples significant in Biblical Teachings?
Disciples hold significant importance in biblical teachings. The concept of discipleship involves more than merely following Jesus. It requires a total commitment to His teachings and a willingness to sacrifice personal desires for the divine call. As disciples, individuals are not just students but active participants in the mission. The role of disciples in the Bible signifies the call to all Christians to involve themselves actively in their faith, to spread the Gospel and serve others in love.
When did the Idea of Discipleship evolve?
The idea of discipleship evolved in the biblical narrative with Jesus’ ministry. While there were disciples even in the Old Testament, it was Christ who solidified and intensified the concept in the New Testament. Discipleship came to signify a deeper level of commitment, going beyond learning and adherence to active participation in His ministry. This commitment entailed a willingness to leave everything behind, following Jesus unreservedly, and participating wholly in His mission. Thus, discipleship became synonymous with total commitment to the cause of Christ and active participation in spreading His Word.
Below is the full list of bible verses on disciple (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Disciple
Matthew 28:19
“19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
Related Themes: Omnipresence Holy Spirit Baptism Education Omnipotence
John 15:8
“8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
2 Timothy 2:15
“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Learning Morals Morality
John 8:31
“31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Perseverance Complaining Perseverance Freedom
John 13:35
“35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Related Themes: Love Foundation
Acts 9:26
“26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”
Acts 11:26
“26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
Acts 1:8
“8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Life Power Empowerment Learning
1 Timothy 5:8
“8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Respecting Your Parents Children Laziness
Luke 14:33
“33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
Related Themes: Loyalty
Matthew 28:19-20
“19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Related Themes: Omnipresence Holy Spirit Baptism Education Omnipotence
John 15:12-14
“12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
Related Themes: Strangers Love Friendship Homelessness
Matthew 7:13-14
“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 4:19-20
“19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
Related Themes: Fishing Omnipotence Food
Matthew 6:14-15
“14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bitterness Forgiveness
John 13:15
“15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
Related Themes: Serving Others
Matthew 5:13
“13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Related Themes: Reputation Community Trespassing Strength Coveting
Mark 9:35
“35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
Related Themes: Humility Serving Others Morality Morals Serving God
Matthew 16:26-27
“26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Related Themes: Life Lust Success Peer Pressure Vanity
Acts 2:42-47
“42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Related Themes: Community Holy Communion Communion Prayer Church
Galatians 1:9-11
“9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God
John 15:1-2
“1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Related Themes: Letting Go Surrender Salvation Fruit Harvest
John 12:24-25
“24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Reaping
Luke 14:26
“26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Hate Loyalty
Matthew 5:39-40
“39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.”
Related Themes: Retribution Self-Defense Strife
Luke 10:1
“1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.”
Romans 10:10
“10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Related Themes: Heart Faith Redemption Salvation
Matthew 4:1-11
“1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Related Themes: Lust Temptation Lent Fasting
Romans 1:15-17
“15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
Related Themes: Preaching
Isaiah 53:6-11
“6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”
Related Themes: Letting Go Holy Communion
