Who were the Apostles?
Awaiting theological review
What you will understand today
Who the Twelve were, and why they still matter today.
In simple words
From among his followers, Jesus chose twelve men to be with him and to be sent out. That is what apostle means: one who is sent.
They were ordinary people: fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James and John; Matthew, a tax collector; Simon, called the Zealot. Peter is always named first.
Judas betrayed Jesus; after the Resurrection Matthias took his place. Later Paul too was called an apostle. The bishops of the Church are their successors.
Key Bible passage
Two reasons Jesus chose the Twelve: to be with him, and to be sent.
14And he made that twelve should be with him, and that he might send them to preach.
Mark 3:14 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
Did you know?
The number twelve is not an accident: it echoes the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was gathering a renewed people of God.
Matthew 19:28A common misconception
The apostles were educated religious leaders.
In fact
Most were working men from Galilee. The leaders in Jerusalem were surprised that such uneducated men spoke so boldly (Acts 4:13).
A question to take with you
Jesus chose people with very different backgrounds and temperaments. Who would be in your twelve — and who would surprise you?
One small thing for today
Open the People section and read about one apostle you have never heard of.
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