After Jesus resisted the devil in the wilderness, he was ready to begin his public ministry. He returned to Galilee, the region where he grew up, and started teaching people about the Kingdom of God. Part of this mission was to gather a group of close followers who would learn from him, travel with him, and later continue his work after he was gone.
These followers became known as the Twelve Disciples (or apostles). Their names are:
Simon Peter
Andrew
James (son of Zebedee)
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Thomas
Matthew (the tax collector)
James (son of Alphaeus)
Thaddeus (sometimes called Jude)
Simon the Zealot
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Jesus)
The First Disciples
The calling of the first two disciples is described in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 4:
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
This short story shows something very powerful:
Jesus called ordinary people – fishermen – not rich or powerful leaders.
The phrase “fishers of men” meant that instead of catching fish, they would now “catch” people by sharing Jesus’ message and bringing others to faith.
Simon Peter and Andrew immediately left everything behind to follow Jesus, showing complete trust and commitment.
Why the Disciples Were Important
The disciples were not just students; they became partners in Jesus’ mission. They listened to his teachings, witnessed his miracles, and spread his message. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, it was the disciples who carried Christianity forward, sharing the good news across the ancient world.
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