Apostles

A title distinguishing the twelve disciples, whom Jesus selected to be intimately associated with himself

• Luke 6:13

  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

Names of

• Matthew 10:2–4

  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphæus, and Lebbæus, whose surname was Thaddæus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

• Mark 3:16–19

  And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Canaanite, …

• Luke 6:13–16

  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes, …

• Acts 1:13

  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

• Acts 1:26

  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Selection of

• Matthew 4:18–22

  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. …

• Matthew 9:9

  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

• Matthew 9:10

  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

• Matthew 10:2–4

  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphæus, and Lebbæus, whose surname was Thaddæus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

• Mark 3:13–19

  And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: …

• Luke 6:13–16

  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes, …

• John 1:43

  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Commission of

• Matthew 28:19

  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

• Matthew 28:20

  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.

• Mark 3:14

  And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

• Mark 3:15

  And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

• Mark 6:7–11

  And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. …

• Mark 16:15

  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

• Luke 9:1–5

  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. …

• Luke 22:28–30

  Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

• John 20:23

  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

• John 21:15–19

  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. …

• Acts 10:42

  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

Matthew 10, Acts 1, Acts 2

Unlearned

• Matthew 11:25

  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

• Acts 4:13

  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Miraculous power given to

• Matthew 10:1

  And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

• Mark 3:15

  And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

• Mark 6:7

  And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

• Mark 16:17

  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

• Luke 9:1

  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

• Luke 9:2

  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

• Luke 10:9

  And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

• Luke 10:17

  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

• Acts 2:4

  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• Acts 2:43

  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

• Acts 5:12–16

  And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) …

• 1 Corinthians 14:18

  I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

• 2 Corinthians 12:12

  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Authority of

Inspiration of

• Matthew 10:27

  What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

• Matthew 16:17–19

  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

• Luke 24:45

  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

• Acts 1:2

  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

• Acts 13:9

  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Duties of

Moral state of, before Pentecost

• Matthew 17:17

  Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

• Matthew 18:3

  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

• Matthew 20:22

  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

• Luke 9:54

  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

• Luke 9:55

  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Slow to receive Jesus, as Messiah

• Matthew 14:33

  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Forsake Jesus

• Mark 14:50

  And they all forsook him, and fled.

Fail to comprehend the nature and mission of Jesus, and the nature of the kingdom he came to establish

• Matthew 8:25–27

  And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

• Matthew 15:23

  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

• Matthew 16:8–12

  Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? …

• Matthew 16:21

  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

• Matthew 16:22

  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

• Matthew 19:25

  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

• Mark 4:13

  And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

• Mark 6:51

  And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

• Mark 6:52

  For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

• Mark 8:17

  And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

• Mark 8:18

  Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

• Mark 9:9

  And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

• Mark 9:10

  And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

• Mark 9:31

  For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

• Mark 9:32

  But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

• Mark 10:13

  And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

• Mark 10:14

  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

• Luke 9:44

  Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

• Luke 9:45

  But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

• Luke 18:34

  And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

• Luke 24:19

  And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

• Luke 24:21

  But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

• John 4:32

  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

• John 4:33

  Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

• John 10:6

  This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

• John 11:12

  Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

• John 11:13

  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

• John 12:16

  These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

• John 13:6–8

  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

• John 14:5–9

  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. …

• John 14:22

  Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

• John 16:6

  But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

• John 16:17

  Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

• John 16:18

  They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

• John 16:32

  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

• John 20:9

  For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

• John 21:12

  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

• Acts 1:6

  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

False

• 2 Corinthians 11:13

  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

• Revelation 2:2

  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: