The Disciples
In the Bible, "the Disciples" primarily refers to the followers of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. The term generally denotes those individuals who committed themselves to learning from Jesus, embracing His teachings, and following His example. Most notably, the twelve apostles—Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot—are often highlighted as His closest disciples (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:14). These disciples were tasked with spreading Jesus' teachings and later played a crucial role in the foundation of the early Church after His resurrection and ascension (Matthew 28:19-20).The concept of discipleship extends beyond the twelve apostles, as Jesus welcomed anyone willing to follow Him and adhere to His teachings. In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus emphasizes the cost of discipleship, calling for a commitment that may require significant personal sacrifice. Additionally, in the broader context of the New Testament, the term "disciples" can refer to a larger group of believers who were devoted to the apostles' teaching, prayer, and community life (Acts 2:42). This illustrates that discipleship is not limited to the initial followers of Jesus but encompasses all who seek to learn from Him and live according to His principles.