Michael Brooks
There is debate over whether all twelve of Jesus' disciples were Jewish. Some sources claim that all twelve were indeed Jewish, citing the Hebrew origin of their names and the fact that they worshipped in the Jewish temple with Jesus and celebrated Jewish feasts with him. Others argue that while most of the disciples were Jewish, there were some non-Jewish followers, such as the Canaanite woman and the Roman centurion. The interpretation of Jewish as either a religious or ethnic identity further complicates the discussion. From a religious perspective, there were non-Jewish followers of Jesus who adopted Jewish practices, while ethnically, the term Jewish can refer specifically to those of Judah or the southern kingdom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of disciples | 12 |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Worship location | Jewish temple |
| Worship practices | Celebrated Passover and other Jewish feasts |
| Names | Simon, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus/Alpheus), Lebbæus (Thaddæus), Simon the Canaanite, Judas Iscariot |
| Saints | All except Judas Iscariot |
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What You'll Learn
All 12 disciples were Jewish
The twelve disciples of Jesus were all Jewish. While it can be difficult to find references to prove this, there is good reason to assume that all of them were Jewish. For instance, the disciples all worshipped in the Jewish temple with Jesus and celebrated the Passover meal and other Jewish feasts with him. Additionally, each of their names has a Hebrew origin, with the exceptions of Andrew (a Greek name, but Peter's brother) and Philip (also a Greek name, but from the same city as Peter and Andrew). The possible exception of Thaddeus (Aramaic name) still points to Jewish heritage, as he is also identified with an apostle named Jude, which is a Jewish name.
Furthermore, the original twelve disciples of Jesus, or apostles, formed the Catholic Church, and of these, eleven were undoubtedly Jewish, with Judas Iscariot being the only one not deemed a saint of the Catholic religion. Judas Iscariot was even referred to as a devil by Jesus, who identified Nathanael as the only "true Israelite" among his disciples.
The disciples' Jewish heritage is further supported by the fact that they all worshipped in the Jewish temple with Jesus, presumably in the inner courts where Gentiles were not allowed. This suggests that they were all a part of the Jewish faith. Additionally, the first Christians debated whether Gentiles (non-Jews) should be baptized and allowed into the Church, indicating that the early followers of Jesus were primarily Jewish.
While Jesus had other followers who were not Jewish, such as the Canaanite woman and the Roman centurion, the twelve disciples that he specifically chose and appointed as his closest companions and initial propagators of his teachings were all Jewish.
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Jesus had non-Jewish followers
While all of the twelve apostles are believed to have been Jewish, Jesus did have other followers (disciples) who were not Jewish. These non-Jewish disciples included the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21–28) and the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5–13).
Jesus himself did not seek out non-Jewish followers during his ministry, and he is followed only by Jewish disciples during his lifetime. However, his focus broadens after his resurrection, as he includes Gentile nations in his mission. This is evident in his final charge to his disciples, where he instructs them to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:18–20).
The inclusion of Gentiles in Jesus' mission is significant because it reflects his unique confidence in the power of God to redeem the whole world. However, it is important to note that the Jewish people of that time were not well-disposed towards Gentiles, as the Law of Moses commanded them to remain separate from their pagan neighbors.
The diverse Jewish culture and theology of the time also played a role in shaping the followers of Jesus. Jews in the first centuries held varying views on their national identity and their relationship with the Roman Empire. Some, like the tax collectors, were seen as betraying their Jewish heritage by cooperating with the Romans. Others, like the Essenes, had their own grievances with the way the Temple was run.
Jesus, as a devout Jew, served as a bridge between Christians and Jews. His teachings, rooted in deep Jewish roots, attracted followers like Paul, who saw Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of Israel's God.
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The 12 disciples became saints
The 12 disciples were all Jews and were the primary disciples of Jesus according to the New Testament. They were his closest followers and became the primary teachers of the gospel message of Jesus. They were also referred to as the Twelve Apostles or simply the Twelve.
The 12 disciples were:
- Simon (whom he named Peter)
- Andrew, brother of Peter
- James, son of Zebedee
- John, brother of James
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Matthew
- Thomas
- James, son of Alphaeus
- Simon, the Zealot
- Judas, son of James, also known as Thaddaeus
- Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor
After Jesus ascended to heaven, the 11 remaining disciples appointed Matthias to replace Judas, who had committed suicide after betraying Jesus. However, it is debated whether God intended for them to do this, and Paul is seen by some as the rightful replacement for Judas.
The 12 disciples were not all martyred, but 10 of them were. John died of old age, and Judas Iscariot committed suicide after betraying Jesus. Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero, and James, the brother of John, was the first of the 12 to be martyred in Jerusalem.
While not all of the 12 disciples became saints in the traditional sense, they were all saints in the original meaning of the word, which is "a person who is consecrated (dedicated) to God."
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The disciples had Hebrew names
It is widely believed that all twelve apostles were Jewish. They all worshipped in the Jewish temple with Jesus and celebrated the Passover meal and other Jewish feasts with him. Some of the apostles had Greek names, but this was not uncommon among Jewish people in the eastern Mediterranean region at the time due to the dominance of Hellenistic culture.
Jesus, whose name in English is derived from the Hebrew 'Yeshua', had a Jewish mother, Miriam (or Mary in English), who carried the Messiah for nine months.
The disciples of Jesus were Jewish and had Hebrew names. The names of the Jewish disciples, the places in the Bible, and even the Messiah himself were all in Hebrew or Aramaic. For example, Matthew's Hebrew name was Levi, one of the tribes of Israel. Peter's Hebrew name was Simon or Simeon, and James's name in Hebrew was Jacob.
The English translations of these names take away from the Jewish roots of the gospel message, making it easier for Jewish people to dismiss it as a faith for Gentiles. However, this does not mean that we should stop using the English names of these biblical figures. Instead, it is important to remind people that the Bible has Jewish roots.
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The disciples were ordinary men
The twelve disciples of Jesus were ordinary men, and their selection and transformation by Jesus is one of the most remarkable aspects of their story. Jesus chose his disciples not from the religious elite, scholars, or powerful leaders of society, but from humble, everyday people. Their ordinariness highlights the power of God's grace, showing that anyone, no matter their background or status, can be used for extraordinary purposes.
The disciples came from diverse backgrounds and included fishermen, a tax collector, and a zealot. Some of the disciples were likely poor and uneducated, while others were rich, well-educated, or synagogue-trained. For example, Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector, which would have made him an outcast in Jewish society. Tax collectors were despised because they were seen as traitors working for the Roman government and often took more money than required. On the other hand, Matthew, who was a tax collector, would have been fluent in the languages spoken in his area (Greek, Latin, and Aramaic). Peter and Andrew were early followers of John the Baptist and were introduced to Jesus by their brother Andrew. Peter, a natural leader, was the only married disciple and his wife travelled with him on his missions.
The disciples' ordinariness makes the transformative power of Jesus' message all the more powerful. They were ordinary men who were able to accomplish extraordinary things through the guidance and strength of God. Their lives show that God calls ordinary people to participate in His extraordinary mission. By using ordinary people, God demonstrates that the message of salvation comes from Him, not human wisdom, strength, or status.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all 12 disciples of Jesus were Jewish. Even the replacements for Judas Iscariot, Matthias and Paul, were Jewish.
The 12 disciples were: Peter, James (son of Zebedee), John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Lebbæus (also known as Judas Thaddeus or Jude), Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot.
Yes, all 12 disciples became saints. However, only Judas Iscariot was deemed a saint in the Catholic religion.
