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Home›Verses by topic›The Twelve Disciples

The Twelve Disciples of Jesus KJV

Twelve ordinary men — fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, a traitor — named together in Matthew 10:2-4 and sent out with authority.

All twelve, as Matthew 10:2-4 names them

  1. Simon, who is called Peter Matthew 10:2
  2. Andrew, his brother Matthew 10:2
  3. James, the son of Zebedee Matthew 10:2
  4. John, his brother Matthew 10:2
  5. Philip Matthew 10:3
  6. Bartholomew Matthew 10:3
  7. Thomas Matthew 10:3
  8. Matthew the publican Matthew 10:3
  9. James, the son of Alphaeus Matthew 10:3
  10. Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus Matthew 10:3
  11. Simon the Canaanite Matthew 10:4
  12. Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him Matthew 10:4

Four lists of the twelve survive — Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16 and Acts 1:13 — and they agree on every name but one. Where Matthew and Mark have Thaddaeus, Luke and Acts have Judas the brother of James, long taken to be the same man under another name. After the betrayal, Matthias was chosen to take Judas Iscariot's place in Acts 1:26.

The Twelve Disciples of Jesus in scripture — 12 verses, quoted in full

Each verse is quoted in full — tap a reference to read it in context, see cross references, and study the original words.

Matthew 4:19-20 · KJV

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 10:1 · KJV

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.

Matthew 10:2-4 · KJV

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 Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Mark 3:14 · KJV

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

Luke 6:13 · KJV

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

Luke 9:1-2 · KJV

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.

John 15:16 · KJV

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Matthew 28:19-20 · KJV

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

Acts 1:8 · KJV

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 2:42 · KJV

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 4:33 · KJV

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Ephesians 2:20 · KJV

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Common questions

Who were the twelve disciples of Jesus?

Peter, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot — Matthew 10:2-4.

What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?

A disciple is a learner and follower; an apostle is one sent out. The twelve were both, and Matthew 10:2 calls them apostles at the moment Jesus sends them.

Who replaced Judas Iscariot?

Matthias. The eleven cast lots between him and Joseph called Barsabas, and the lot fell on Matthias in Acts 1:26.

Do the four lists of the twelve disagree?

Only on one name. Matthew and Mark name Thaddaeus where Luke and Acts name Judas the brother of James — understood since early times to be the same man, distinguished from Judas Iscariot.

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