7621 disciples, calling of

The term is applied to Christians in general, not to the Twelve only. It emphasises the importance of Jesus Christ’s followers learning from Christ as their teacher.

Disciples learning from their master

Isa 8:16; Am 7:14 See also 1Ki 20:35; Ne 3:8; Isa 19:11; Mt 10:24; Mk 2:18 pp Lk 5:33; Lk 6:40; Jn 1:35; Jn 9:28

Those referred to as disciples in the NT

The disciples as the apostles Mt 10:1-2 The apostles were uniquely appointed as founding pillars of the church, but in some respects they were also representative disciples.

The disciples as believers in general Mt 28:19; Ac 19:1-2 Christian believers, not fully mature. See also Lk 6:13,17; Ac 6:2; Ac 11:26

The disciples as an intimate circle of believers Mt 18:1; Mk 4:10

How disciples are called

It sometimes implies physically following Jesus Christ and leaving everything Mt 4:19 pp Mk 1:16-20; Mt 8:18-22 pp Lk 9:57-60; Mt 9:9 pp Mk 2:14

Calling in a more general spiritual sense Jn 21:19 See also Lk 9:23; Lk 14:25-27; Jn 8:12; Jn 12:26; Jn 21:22

How disciples learn from Jesus Christ the teacher

By repeating the words of Jesus Christ Lk 11:1-4 The rhythmical form of much of Jesus Christ’s teaching suggests he intended his words to be remembered verbatim. See also Mt 5:3-10

By signs Jn 2:11 See also Mk 5:37,40 pp Lk 8:51

By understanding the OT Scriptures Jn 1:45 See also Lk 18:31-33; Lk 24:27,32,44-45

By understanding the parables Mk 4:11-12 pp Mt 13:10-11 pp Lk 8:9-10 See also Mk 4:34

By practical experience of mission Lk 10:23-24 These words follow the sending out of the seventy-two. See also Mk 6:6-11; Lk 9:1-2 pp Mt 10:1

In periods of being alone with Jesus Christ Mk 6:31 See also Mt 16:21

In spite of their faulty understanding Lk 24:25 See also Mk 9:32 pp Lk 9:45; Lk 18:34

See also