The Disciples
The twelve disciples of Jesus were Simon Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. The New Testament identifies these twelve men as Jesus’ closest followers, chosen to learn from Him and spread His teachings. They appear consistently in lists found in Matthew 10:1–4, Mark 3:16–19, and Luke 6:12–16.
- Simon Peter – Fisherman; part of Jesus’ inner circle.
- Andrew – Peter’s brother; one of the first called.
- James (son of Zebedee) – Brother of John; also in the inner circle.
- John – Son of Zebedee; traditionally identified as the beloved disciple.
- Philip – Called directly by Jesus.
- Bartholomew (Nathanael) – Introduced by Philip.
- Thomas – Known for questioning and later affirming Jesus’ resurrection.
- Matthew (Levi) – Former tax collector.
- James (son of Alphaeus) – Sometimes called “James the Lesser.”
- Thaddaeus (Judas son of James) – Also called Jude.
- Simon the Zealot – Possibly associated with the Jewish Zealot movement.
- Judas Iscariot – Betrayed Jesus; later replaced by Matthias.
Beyond the Twelve, the New Testament also identifies:
- Paul – Not one of the original twelve but called later; described himself as “apostle to the Gentiles.”
- Matthias – Chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after his death.
These disciples formed the foundation of the early Christian movement, spreading Jesus’ teachings after His resurrection.
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Koran Contradiction 