disciple

Definition

The term “disciple” refers to a person who spends much time with a teacher, learning from that teacher’s character and teaching.

• The people who followed Jesus around, listening to his teachings and obeying them, were called his “disciples.”
• John the Baptist also had disciples.
• During Jesus’ ministry, there were many disciples who followed him and heard his teachings.
• Jesus chose twelve disciples to be his closest followers; these men became known as his “apostles.”
• Jesus’ twelve apostles continued to be known as his “disciples” or “the 12.”
• Just before Jesus went up to heaven, he commanded his disciples to teach other people about how to become Jesus’ disciples, too.
• Anyone who believes in Jesus and obeys his teachings is called a disciple of Jesus.

Translation Suggestions

• The term “disciple” could be translated by a word or phrase that means “follower” or “student” or “pupil” or “learner.”
• Make sure that the translation of this term does not refer only to a student who learns in a classroom.
• The translation of this term should also be different from the translation of “apostle.”

(See also: apostle, believe, Jesus, John (the Baptist), the twelve)

Bible References

• Acts 6:1
• Acts 9:26-27
• Acts 11:26
• Acts 14:22
• John 13:23
• Luke 6:40
• Matthew 11:3
• Matthew 26:33-35
• Matthew 27:64

Examples from the Bible stories

• __30:8 He (Jesus) gave the pieces to his disciples to give to the people. The disciples__ kept passing out the food, and it never ran out!
• __38:1 About three years after Jesus first began preaching and teaching publicly, Jesus told his disciples__ that he wanted to celebrate this Passover with them in Jerusalem, and that he would be killed there.
• __38:11 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples__ to pray that they would not enter into temptation.
• __42:10 Jesus said to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So go, make disciples__ of all people groups by baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Word Data

• Strong’s: H3928, G31000, G31010, G31020