How old were Jesus’ disciples?
Answer Neither the Bible nor any other source specifies the ages of any of Jesus’ initial twelve apostles. However, there are a few observations that may be made about their ages. First and foremost, according to Scripture, Jesus was around 30 years old when He began His public ministry (Luke 3:23). Students (or disciples) were often younger than their teachers in Jewish culture. As a result, it is likely that the disciples were between the ages of 20 and 30. Jesus also referred to them as “small children,” which might have been a reference to the fact that they were several years younger than He.
According to Matthew 4:21–22, James and John intentionally abandoned their father in the boat in order to follow Jesus.
They were most certainly teens by this point, as they were able to leave home to follow a rabbi.
Matthew 8:14 mentions his infirm mother-in-law, who was a sick woman.
- A fourth point to consider is that the subsequent lives of several of the disciples provide information about their likely ages.
- It had been 60 years since Jesus had walked with them.
- It is reasonable to assume that John was at least 20 years old at the time of the crucifixion, given his ability to care for Jesus’ mother (John 19:26–27).
- According to Matthew’s Gospel, which was written 30–40 years after Jesus’ resurrection, he was in his 20s when he followed Jesus on earth, implying that Matthew was in his 20s when following Jesus on earth.
- After that, if the youngster was clever and motivated in continuing his religious studies, he would seek out and follow a rabbi who would mentor him, and he would model his life after the rabbi until he was 30 years old.
- In most cases, a young man’s discipleship instruction under the supervision of a rabbi begins between the ages of 13 and 15.
- The precise ages of Jesus’ followers are not specified in the Bible; nonetheless, it is probable that they were all between the ages of 13 and 30 at the time they followed Jesus.
Due to this viewpoint, there is some variation in their ages, with John presumably being the youngest and Peter maybe being the oldest due to the fact that he had previously been married.
How Old Were The Disciples?
Answer No one of the original twelve disciples’ ages is given in the Bible in any exact way. The ages of the participants, on the other hand, are subject to some speculation. Jesus was around 30 years old when He began His public ministry, according to the Scriptures (Luke 3:23). When it came to Jewish culture, disciples (or students) were often younger than their master. The disciples were most likely under the age of thirty, as a result. It’s possible that Jesus referred to them as “small children” to indicate that they were several years younger than He was in age.
- According to Matthew 4:21–22, James and John explicitly abandoned their father in the boat in order to follow Jesus.
- Given their ability to leave home to pursue a rabbi, they were most certainly teens at this point.
- Matthew 8:14 mentions his infirm mother-in-law, who died.
- Fourth, several of the disciples’ subsequent lives provide information about their likely ages.
- 60 years have elapsed since Jesus’ last walk with man.
- It is reasonable to assume that John was at least 20 years old at the time of the crucifixion, given his ability to care for Jesus’ mother (see John 19:26–27).
- Depending on his age at the time of Jesus’ appearance, Peter might have been in his 20s or 30s.
- Traditionally, in Jewish culture, a child’s religious education began at the age of five and continued until the age of twelve or thirteen.
- His own disciples would be able to join him at that point.
- It’s possible that some of Jesus’ followers joined Him as early as age 13 and were still teens at the time of His death, resurrection, and ascension if this trend holds true for the disciples of Jesus.
Since Peter was already married, this viewpoint allows for some variation in their ages, with John being the youngest and Peter being one of the oldest.
What were the ages of the Apostles Peter and John when Jesus was crucified?
When Jesus was crucified, what were the ages of the Apostles Peter and John at the time? The Apostles were divided into two groups, according to Catholic tradition: St. Peter was the eldest and St. John the youngest. According to the New Testament, John the Apostle lived from 6 AD to 100 AD and was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and is often regarded as the youngest of the apostles. His brother, James, was also one of the Twelve Apostles and he was the youngest of the group.
- Most Christian denominations have long claimed that John the Apostle is the author of numerous books of the New Testament, according to their oral traditions.
- John’s birth, which indicates he was around 24 years old at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, if the Crucifixion took place in the year 30 AD, according to certain scholars.
- So much of this debate is just based on historical precedent.
- Peter is considered to have been born at Bethsaida (John 1:42, 44), about the year 1 AD, according to the majority of scholars.
- Peter’s genuine and original given name was Simon, which can also be found in the form Symeon on occasion.
- Jonathannes was the son of Jona (Johannes).
- – St.
Peter the Apostle) In terms of how and when the Apostle St.
St.
Historical documents are not more certain of anything than they are of themselves.
Some suggest that he died in the year 55 AD.
Peter was born in the year 1 AD, he would have been 29 years old at the time of the Crucifixion, which is believed to have occurred in the year 30 AD.
How old were the disciples of Jesus when they joined him?
Although it is not stated clearly in the Bible, there are a few indicators that at least some of them were young — possibly adolescents or in their early twenties — when they died. Young men began their studies with a Rabbi when they were 12 to 30 years old, although they normally started when they were fewer than 20 years old, according to Jewish tradition. As a result, the majority of the apostles would have been teens when Jesus asked them to join him. Another important thing to remember is that John lived until at least AD96, when the book of Revelation was published, which is 66 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Additional evidence may be found in Matthew 17:24-27.
The other disciples were present (as evidenced by the preceding passages), but it does not appear that they paid the tax.
We know that a number of them had well-established occupations, such as fisherman (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) or tax collector (James and John) (Matthew).
However, because Jewish schooling often ended at the age of 12, they would have had plenty of time to acquire these crafts and still be able to join Jesus at an early age.
Jesus’ Bachelors: The Disciples Were Most Likely Under The Age Of 18
In 2013, a group portrait of American male teenagers was taken. Jesus’ twelve disciples were virtually all under the age of eighteen, with some as young as fifteen, which suggests that they were in their early teens. Except for one, all of them were most likely bachelors. In the Bible, there is no indication of a definite age for any of the disciples. Therefore, we examine the evidence through the lens of historical context as well as insights drawn from Scripture. In the time of Jesus, a Jewish male could only marry after reaching the age of eighteen.
The Bible tells us that Peter had a wife when Jesus cured his mother-in-law, according to Matthew 8:14-15.
Education Of That Time
What gives us the impression that Jesus’ followers were so inexperienced? This is supported by the educational tradition of the period. The education of a Jewish youngster came to an end at the age of fifteen. Higher education consisted of studying under the supervision of a local rabbi for individuals who were intelligent (or affluent). If they were unable to locate a rabbi who would accept them as a pupil (much like a college admission application), they entered the employment by their mid-teens.
The majority of the disciples were already learning their crafts, as was the case with James and John, who were both apprentices.
A Rabbi At The Age of 30
Historically, a rabbi of that era would begin accepting students when he reached the age of thirty. We think that Jesus began his public ministry at the age of thirty, when he was thirty years old. This is also consistent with the rabbinical traditions of the historical period as well. What was it about Jesus that made the establishment think he was crazy? He was not a rabbi who was responsible for teaching in the synagogue. He gave lectures near the seaside and from the top of a mountain. He was anti-religious in his views.
No one had ever thought about Jesus’ notion of loving everyone like he did.
Furthermore, Jesus declared that He was the Son of God.
(See also John 14:6)
The Way
Of fact, this group of young Jewish men were not recognized as “Christians” when they arrived. Almost certainly, they were only students of the Rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, who taught them. According to what we can gather from the book of Acts, the early Jesus movement was referred to as “The Way” (Acts 9:2; Acts 24:14). It was not until Antioch, some years after Jesus’ resurrection, that the term “Christianity” was coined. (See Acts 11:27 for further information.) The disciples were most likely not middle-aged men, as shown in historical films and even in the most recent television miniseries, The Bible, which is currently showing.
Not only does it go against to historical precedent, but it also runs counter to Scripture. Matthew was the only one who may have been older than the others, except from Peter. He worked as a tax collector for the most of his life. “Here are a few biblical indices of youth development”:
The use of the term “little ones”
In Matthew 11:25, Luke 10:21, and John 13:33, Jesus refers to his followers as “little ones,” referring to them as children. If they were males, this would be considered a bit disrespectful, regardless of how radical or mild the rabbi is!
James and John
These two gentlemen were brothers. The children had a forceful mother called Salome, who insisted on arranging where they would sit at the dinner table with Jesus. If the brothers were grown men, Salome’s obstinacy would be quite incomprehensible. (Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:20-24). They were dubbed “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus because they were presumably either loud or courageous when they were young, attributes that Jesus admired in them.
Only Peter Is Known to Have been Paid the Temple Tax
Every male above the age of 20 who visits the temple of God is required to give a half-shekel as a census offering, according to Jewish law, which is found in Exodus 30:14-15. In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus asks Peter to “fish up” the tax he has been instructed to collect. And to discover a four-drachma coin in the mouth of the fish he has caught; enough to pay the tax for two men, himself and Jesus, when he opens the fish’s mouth. This is solely for Peter and Jesus, according to Jesus’ request. You may come to the conclusion that the others were minors and hence did not have to pay.
“Young Guns”
Teenagers have always played an important role in the moviegoing experience. Today, the physical movie theater remains a popular destination for teens, mostly because it provides them with opportunities to meet up with friends, go on dates, hang out, and so on. For many years in the 1980s and 1990s, I worked as a movie executive, always seeking for methods to make tales “younger.” Young Guns was an ensemble picture that included a retelling of “Billy the Kid” with a cast that was predominantly under the age of thirty.
With the disciples, it’s possible that we had a “Young Guns”-style cast.
The fact that you are a young disciple does not affect the truth of the Gospel.
Apostle Peter Biography: Timeline, Life, and Death
The life of the Apostle Peter is one of the most inspiring examples of a transformed life in the Bible. Consider looking over this chronology and biography of Peter’s life.
Peter’s Life Before Christ
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Apostle Peter is widely considered to have been the most outspoken of the twelve apostles. He certainly established himself as one of the most outspoken defenders of the faith. His origins were, without a doubt, lowly in nature. He was born around the year 1 B.C. and died sometime around the year 67 A.D. Simon was the name given to Peter at the time of his birth. Peter’s name was changed by Jesus, who was the one who did it. Peter is derived from the Greek word for “rock,” which is Petra.
- The brothers had traveled from the town of Bethsaida to join us (John 1:43, 12:21).
- He was also a follower of John the Baptist, according to tradition.
- In fact, he was embarrassed by his sinfulness when he was in the presence of Christ (Luke 5:6-8).
- Peter renounced his fishing livelihood in order to follow Jesus.
- The fishermen of the first century were men who knew their own minds.
- Possibly as a result of this, James and his brother John were dubbed “the Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17).
- They must have been somewhat fearless as well, because some of the storms that pounded the Sea of Galilee in a short period of time were fierce and furious.
- Despite the fact that Peter had a habit of putting his foot in his mouth, one thing you could say about him was that when Jesus instructed them (Peter and Andrew) to “follow me,” they simply walked away and left everything they owned without a second thought (Luke 5:9-1).
In today’s world, how many people would be willing to abandon their own businesses in order to follow Someone who had simply asked them to do so?
Peter’s Life with Christ
As previously stated, Peter was one of the first disciples to be summoned by Jesus, and he was typically their spokesperson — whether for good or for ill. One of the things that he is credited with is the unique insight that he had on the identity of the Messiah, Jesus. Peter was the first to refer to Jesus as the Son of the Living God – the Messiah – in the New Testament (Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20, Matt. 16:16-17). When Jesus summoned him, Peter recognized that He was a representative of God, yet he felt unworthy to be in Jesus’ company (Luke 5:6-8).
- Peter was fearless, yet he was frequently in the wrong.
- 16:21-22).
- As a result of his presence at the many miracles performed by Jesus, Peter was also there when the Shekhinah Glory was shown, together with John and James, during the Transfiguration.
- 17:1-9).
Peter the Disciple to the Apostle Peter
A disciple is defined as a “follower of,” and that is exactly what the majority of Christians are today. An apostle is defined as “one who has been sent forth” in the sense of having been sent forth by God to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The scriptural definition of an apostle, as well as the only ones who are referred to as apostles in the New Testament, required them to have either been with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry (as the disciples) or to have witnessed the resurrected Christ (as the apostles) (as did Paul who was taught three years in the desert by Jesus Christ Himself).
24), he issues the Great Commission, which is a commission or charge to them (Matt.
According to Acts 1:8, this is the very last thing that Jesus tells them, and it is at this time that the disciples (followers of Christ) are elevated to the position of apostles (those sent forth).
In the aftermath of Christ’s ascension to His right hand of the Father and taking up His seat there (signifying that His earthly mission was completed – save for via the apostles), He dispatched them to preach the message of the Kingdom of God to all peoples on the face of the planet.
He was considered to be one of the most fearless apostles of all time. He cheerfully endured persecution, incarceration, and beatings, and he even took pleasure in the fact that he had earned the right to incur humiliation for the cause of the Lord (Acts 5:41).
The Gospel of Mark or of Peter?
According to church tradition and early church historians, the Gospel of Mark is in fact the Gospel of Peter. This is incredibly trustworthy evidence. For most of his latter life, Peter is claimed to have dictated his discipleship with Jesus to John Mark, who was a close friend and companion to him throughout his life. The details of what appears to be an eyewitness account from Peter’s point of view may be seen in great detail if you read the Gospel of Mark. John Mark was never a follower of Jesus, and he was certainly never an apostle of Jesus.
The fact that Mark was not there during Jesus’ ministry, as well as the exceedingly personal details that are detailed in Mark, provide as evidence for this claim.
When you read the Gospel of Mark, think about Peter and see if you can’t see more clearly the awareness that this had to be Peter’s eyewitness account — an account that only Peter could relate – when you consider the context of the story.
Peter’s Glorious Ending
Almost all of the apostles had been killed in the days preceding up to Peter’s execution, and this was the final straw. Peter’s crucifixion was predicted by Jesus when He stated, “When you are old and wrinkled and wrinkled and wrinkled and wrinkled and wrinkled and wrinkled and wrinkled” (John 21:18-19), but did Jesus genuinely prophesy Peter’s death by crucifixion? According to the church historians Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius, Peter’s wrists were spread out in front of him, he was dressed in prison attire, he was carried to a place where no one desired to go (a crucifixion), and he was nailed to a cross.
From being an arrogant, confident, thunderous guy, he transformed into a humble, willing, and obedient servant of the Lord, even to the point of death.
After 65 years on this planet, his final three decades were devoted to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who would hear him preach.
David became king at the age of thirty, which is considered to be the zenith of one’s mental and physical capabilities.
In the process, the poor fisherman transformed into a tremendous fisher of men – and one who altered and moulded the world forever, and who is still proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ today via his gospel (written by Mark), the book of Acts, and the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter.
Who is your favorite Bible character? Let us know in the comments!
– Britt Nicole’s song “Walk on Water” is available as a resource. Photograph courtesy of V. Gilbert and Arlisle F. Beers Tagged as:Apostle Peter, Apostle Peter Death, Apostle Peter Life, Peter Biography, Peter Timeline, Apostle Peter
Saint Peter the Apostle
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was St. Peter?
Simon, formerly known as St. Peter the Apostle, was a disciple of Jesus Christ who died in Rome in the year 64CE. He is revered in the early Christian church as the leader of the 12disciples and is considered by the Roman Catholic Church as the first in an uninterrupted series of popes. At the beginning of Jesus’ career, Peter, a Jewish fisherman, was called to be a follower of Jesus. During his time with Jesus, he was given the name Cephas (from Aramaic Kepa; hence Peter, from Petros, a Greek translation of Kepa).
The man and his position among the disciples
The New Testament contains the only reliable sources of knowledge on Peter’s life, which include the four Gospels, Acts, the letters of Paul, and the two letters that bear the name of Peter, among other things. He was most likely known by his Hebrew given name, Simeon, or by the Greek variant of that given name, Simon, when he was younger. The former is mentioned just twice in the New Testament, but the latter is mentioned 49 times. The Gospel of John 21:15 states that he was addressed as “Simon, son of John” at serious occasions.
- Despite the fact that Paul has a strong preference (8 times out of 10) for the Greek transliteration Kphas (Latinized as Cephas) of the Aramaic name or title Kepa, which means “Rock,” the Greek translation Petros appears about 150 times throughout the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.
- His family originally came from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), but during the time of Jesus’ ministry, Peter lived in Capernaum, at the northwest end of the Sea of Galilee, where he and his brotherSt.
- JamesandSt.
- Many things about Peter may be gleaned from the New Testament, either openly from the words made by and about Peter, or indirectly through his actions and reactions, which are revealed in a number of situations in which Peter plays a key role.
- For example, he first ate with the Gentiles but afterwards refused to do so (Letter to the Galatians, 2:11–14).
- Occasionally, he is represented as reckless and hasty (Luke 22:33, for example), or as impatient and capable of tremendous rage (Luke 22:34, for example) (John 18:10).
- The New Testament claims that Peter was uneducated in the sense of having had no training in the Mosaic Law (Acts 4:13), and it is dubious that he was conversant in the Greek language.
- Even though all of the Gospels agree that Peter was invited to follow Jesus at the beginning of his career, the details of when and where the event occurred are described differently in each Gospel.
- In Matthew (4:18–22) and Mark (Gospel According to Mark1:16–20), the call of the four men is mentioned.
- It is stated in the Gospel of John (1:28) that the call took place inJudaea, and that Andrew—who had previously been a follower ofSt.
- The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are most likely right in saying that the summons to Peter was extended in Galilee when Jesus first began his activity in that region, as recorded in the New Testament.
According to John, this passage is perhaps more theologically motivated than historically motivated; the author of John wishes to emphasize that Peter recognized Jesus’ messiahship from the beginning and that Jesus had recognized Simon as the “rock” from their very first meeting, as he has done elsewhere.
- For example, in one instance, Matthew and Luke indicate that Peter was the one who questioned Jesus about a parable, while Mark refers these statements to the entire group of disciples who were there (Matthew 15:15; Luke 8:45; and Mark 7:17).
- When the disciples are addressed in the Bible, Peter is almost always the first to be mentioned (Matthew 10:2–4, Mark 3:16–19, Luke 6:14–16, Acts 1:13; see only Galatians 2:9 for examples).
- Those who were not direct disciples of Jesus respected Peter’s authority as well, as was the case when the collectors of the temple tax contacted him for information about the tax (Matthew 17:24).
- Taking the position of both an individual and as a spokesman of the Twelve Apostles, he made a plea for personal preference in the kingdom of Heaven as a recompense for his faithful service on the earth (Matthew 19:27, 28).
- Even though the three disciples closest to Jesus (known as the “pillars”—Peter, James, and John) are mentioned in a single occurrence, it is typically Peter who is the only one who is specifically mentioned in that episode.
- As recorded in Matthew 8:14, it was Peter’s home in Capernaum where Jesus went to cure his mother-in-law, and it was Peter’s boat that Jesus used when he gave instructions to the throng (Matthew 8:15).
In the proclamation of Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 16:15–18; Mark 8:29–30; Luke 9:20), it was Peter who exhibited remarkable insight and demonstrated his depth of faith, and it was Peter who rebuked, and in turn was rebuked by, Jesus when the Master predicted that he would suffer and die (Matthew 16:15–18; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20).
- The apostle Peter, in his denial of his Lord (Matthew 26:69–75; Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:54–61), demonstrated the temporary frailty of even the strongest.
- Last but not least, Peter, who had survived his denial, is given the honor of becoming the first of the Apostles to meet Jesus following the Resurrection (Luke 24:34).
- John the Apostle, the “Beloved Disciple,” who challenges Peter’s position.
- The Gospel is a collection of stories about Jesus Christ.
- Because Peter is stressed in John, and he is given the responsibility of “tend my sheep” and “feed my lambs” (John 21:15, 16), at the same time that the function of all the disciples is deemphasized, this demonstrates the importance of Peter in the early church.
It is possible that one of the reasons of stressing Peter in chapter 21 is an attempt to return the disciple who denied his Lord to the place he held in the Synoptic Gospels before his death.
How Old Were the Disciples?
We have all seen photographs of Jesus instructing his followers, who appear to be adult males of around the same age as Jesus himself. But, is this depiction of the disciples correct, or may the disciples have been substantially younger than the depiction suggests? Keep in mind that just one aspect of Jesus’ calling and teaching of disciples was unique — the calling. We should never forget that. In first-century Judaism, numerous rabbis or professors taught pupils and trained them to become rabbis in the same way that they were trained.
Jesus, on the other hand, addressed his disciples by their first names – something he emphasized throughout his teaching (John 15:16).
So it’s very plausible that Jesus’ disciples were younger than we normally assume, and there’s even some scriptural evidence to suggest that this could have been the case in certain cases.
Consider the fascinating tale of the time when Jesus and his followers traveled to Capernaum, when the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax approached Peter and inquired, “Doesn’t your master pay the temple tax?” When Peter caught a fish, Jesus urged him to pay the tax for both Jesus and himself.
- The fact that Jesus only gave tax money for Peter and himself, and not for the other disciples, may appear strange at first – until we remember that the tax was only had to be paid by individuals above the age of twenty.
- While it’s possible that many of the disciples were in fact younger than we often believe, this would have had no impact on their capacity to serve as witnesses to the resurrection.
- At the end of the day, the age of the disciples doesn’t matter because we would have known what age they were if we had been told.
- But, returning to the question of how young Jews came to be pupils of a rabbi, it is important to recall that young males did not just show up at a rabbi’s door and expect to be instructed.
- People who wanted to become rabbis were inspected and evaluated by the older instructor, and only a select few were picked to be their disciples.
- Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from this for us now.
In terms of our own lives and callings, it’s possible that this is something we need remind ourselves of on a regular basis.
Simon Peter Timeline – An Apostle of Jesus in Biblical History
| 1 BC | Approximate time of the birth of Simon, son of Jonah, in the Galilean town of Bethsaida. |
|---|---|
| 25-27 AD | Simon marries and has children. His family, along with his mother in-law, settles in Capernaum. |
| 30 AD | Simon meets Jesus through the help of his brother Andrew who was a follower of John the Baptist. –John 1:40-41 While Peter and Andrew are fishing at the Sea of Galilee, Jesus sees them and asks them to follow Him. –Matthew 4:18,Mark 1:16-18 Jesus visits Peter’s house and cure Peter’s sick mother-in-law. –Matthew 8:14-15,Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39Peter casts his net in the deep ocean after being told by Jesus to do so. He tells Jesus that they have tried all night to do so and without success. When he did as he was told, they caught a great number of fish. –Luke 5:4-7 Jesus add to the name of Simon, Peter (from the Greek word petros meaning rock or stone). –Mark 3:16,Luke 6:14,John 1:42 |
| 31-32 AD | Peter becomes one of the witnesses to a miracle Jesus performed, raising a little girl back from the dead. –Matthew 9:23-26,Mark 5:37-43,Luke 8:51-55 The apostles and Simon Peter see Jesus walking on water, Peter asks Jesus to command him to walk to Him. Peter tries to walk on water, but he failed. –Matthew 14:28-29,John 6:19-20 Simon Peter makes a pronouncement about the deity of Jesus. –Matthew 16:16,John 6:68-69 Jesus tell Peter that he will build his church on him. –Matthew 16:18 After Jesus proclaims that He will be killed and then rise on the third day, Peter rebukes Him. –Matthew 16:21-23,Mark 8:31-33 Peter, along with James and John, witness the transfiguration of Jesus and the appearance of Moses and Elijah on a mountain. –Matthew 17:1-3,Mark 9:2-3,Luke 9:29-32 |
| 33 AD | Jesus makes a prediction that Peter will deny Him three times before a rooster crows. –Matthew 26:34,Mark 14:30,Luke 22:34,John 13:38 Peter tells Jesus that he will never deny Him. –Matthew 26:35,Mark 14:31 Peter and the others were sleeping while Jesus was praying in The Garden of Gethsemane. –Matthew 26:40-46,Mark 14:37-42,Luke 22:45-46 When Jesus is arrested by the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, Peter takes his sword out and cuts off the ear of a servant. –Matthew 26:51,Mark 14:47,Luke 22:50,John 18:10 The prediction of Jesus comes true when Peter denies Him three times. –Matthew 26:69-75,Mark 14:66-72,Luke 22:55-60,John 18:16-27 Peter and the other apostles receive word from Mary Magdalene that the body of Jesus is no longer there in the tomb. –Mark 16:10,Luke 24:9,John 20:1-2 Peter rushes to Jesus’s tomb to confirm the news. –Luke 24:12,John 20:3 Jesus appears to Peter before appearing to the other apostles. –Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5Jesus appears in front of the eleven apostles. –Mark 16:14,Luke 24:36,John 20:19 Jesus gives Peter and the other apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit. –Luke 24:49,John 20:21-23 While Peter and six others were fishing at the Sea of Galilee, Jesus appears and ask them if they have any fish. –John 21:4 Peter makes a confession of love towards the risen Jesus three times after meeting him on the shores of Galilee. –John 21:15-17 Peter and a large group of people gather at a mountain in Galilee to see Jesus. –Matthew 28:16, 1 Corinthians 15:6 |
| 33-48 AD | By default, Peter becomes the leader of the remaining disciples who had been with Jesus and tells them they should choose someone to replace Judas Iscariot, who had committed suicide. –Acts 1:16-26Now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter gives a message to the people in Jerusalem. –Acts 2:14-36 John, along with Peter, encounter a man who had never walked since birth, and Peter heals him and the man is able to walk. –Acts 3:6-8 One of the ruling parties of that time, the Sadducees, take John and Peter into custody. –Acts 4:3 Peter, John with him, are told by the Sadducees to stop telling people about Jesus. –Acts 4:18 Peter confronts a husband and wife regarding property they lied about. Both end up dead. –Acts 5:3-9 Peter and John are sent to Samaria to teach them about the word of God. –Acts 8:14 Peter travels to different places to teach and to encourage other believers in Jesus Christ.He also visited Lydda. –Acts 9:32 God uses Peter to bring a little girl back to life. –Acts 9:40 Cornelius, a Roman centurion, summons Peter to his house in Caesarea. Peter at that time was staying in Joppa. –Acts 10:1-6 For the first time, Peter realizes that God shows no partiality when it comes to those receiving His word. –Acts 10:34 Cornelius for the first time hears through the words of Peter about Jesus Christ.This the first account that the Gospel is also meant for non-Jewish people (Gentiles). –Acts 10:37-48 Jewish believers in Jerusalem argue with Peter for being in the company of non-Jews. –Acts 11:1-3 James, the brother of John, is killed by the sword by order of Herod, who intentionally wanted to cause trouble for the church. –Acts 12:1-2 When Herod realized that what he had done had made him popular with the Jews, he had Peter arrested and put in prison. –Acts 12:3 An angel of the Lord God takes Peter out of prison. –Acts 12:7-8 Paul confronts Peter’s behavior when he is in the presence of non-Jewish believers and Jewish believers. –Galatians 2:11 |
| 64 AD | Peter is crucifies up-side-down because he felt unworthy to die the same way as Jesus. |
Who Was Matthew the Apostle? The Beginner’s Guide
The Apostle Matthew, also known as Saint Matthew and Levi, was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples and was born in the city of Nazareth. As the author of the Gospel of Matthew, he has historically been recognized as such. When Jesus summoned Matthew to follow him, he was working as a tax collector (also known as a “publican”), which was considered one of the most despised occupations in ancient Judaism. There is very little information available about this apostle. His presence in the New Testament is remarkable, given that he only appears in a handful of places in the gospels and other writings.
- Despite the fact that Matthew is revered as a martyr, no one knows for certain where or how he perished.
- He is mentioned in traditions regarding his preaching, but there are no reliable records of his contributions to the early church.
- In the end, how much do we actually know about him?
- First and foremost, here are some short facts.
Who was Matthew in the Bible?
Almost all we know about Matthew comes straight from the gospels, which is a good thing. All three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) make mention of him, as does the book of Acts, which lists him among the disciples. But that’s all there is to it. There are just seven mentions to him in the entire Bible, if you count parallel verses and quotations. Only one (and its analogues) provides us with any significant information about him.
Also known as Levi
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include comparable narratives of Jesus inviting a tax collector to become a disciple. It’s interesting that Matthew refers to this individual as Matthew, whereas Mark and Luke refer to him as Levi: ” As Jesus continued his journey, he came across a man called Matthew who was seated in the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he said, and Matthew rose to his feet and followed him.” —Matthew 9:9 (New International Version) ” As he traveled along, he noticed Levi son of Alphaeus, who was seated in the tax collector’s office.
- —Matthew 2:14 When Jesus came out, he spotted a tax collector by the name of Levi seated at his tax booth, so he went to speak with him.
- —Luke 5:27–28 (KJV) Both of these tales are so nearly analogous to one another that it is difficult to believe they are not speaking of the same individual.
- Many people believe that Levi was this person’s tribal name, which would indicate that he belonged to the tribe of Levi, and that Matthew was a more personal name.
- Another possibility is that he is recognized by both his Greek and Hebrew names (Matthew and Levi), similar to how the Apostle Paul was known by both his Greek and Hebrew names (Paul and Saul).
As a Jew who worked for the Romans, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that this individual was recognized by both of his first and last names.
A tax collector (or publican)
In the texts above (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27–28), we discovered that Matt was a tax collector, also known as a publican—someone who was employed by the Roman government to collect taxes on their behalf. As a Jew, entering this profession amounted to a betrayal of his people, which was difficult to swallow. Tax collectors were held to a low standard of responsibility. They would be instructed to collect a specific amount of money, but they would be able to convince individuals that they owed a different amount, and they would have no ability to contest the amount they said they owed.
Tax collectors were considered to be the epitome of sin by the Jews.
Interestingly, neither Mark nor Luke specifically identify the disciple Matthew as a tax collector; instead, we must conclude that Levi the tax collector (Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:15) is the disciple Matthew.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first —Matthew 10:2–4 (New International Version) Fun fact: As a tax collector, Matthew would’ve undoubtedly been quite good with money, and modern readers might assume he’d make an excellent candidate for the position of “official treasurer” for the ring of thieves.
Consider this: they were concerned about placing a tax collector in charge of their money, but Judas not only stole from the money bag (John 12:6), but he also betrayed Jesus at the end of the story.
A “sinner”
Although the Bible declares that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), the term “sinner” was reserved for the worst of the worst in ancient Judaism, such as tax collectors. Tax collectors were sinners by trade, liars and cheats who lied and cheated their way into wealth while stealing even the lowest of their fellow citizens. They were considered religious outcasts since the manner in which they carried out their profession publicly flouted the Law of Moses. The wealthier they were, the worse it was considered that they were.
Then Jesus puts Matthew in with the rest of “the sinners,” as follows: On hearing this, Jesus responded, ‘It is the ill who require medical attention, not the healthy.'” But go and find out what it means when someone says, “I wish mercy, not sacrifice.” I have not come to summon the righteous, but sinners,'” says the Lord.
Matt. 9:12 (KJV) By addressing Matthew specifically, Jesus was announcing that no one would be barred from his movement—not even those who were deemed unredeemable by society.
An eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry
Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, was present for virtually the whole duration of Jesus’ public ministry. Peter, James, and John were the only ones who had a clearer understanding of who Jesus was and what he was capable of. Some believe that Matthew’s involvement as an eyewitness to the events of the Gospel of Matthew is evidence that he did not write the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s gospel appears to be greatly influenced by Mark’s gospel (which explains why there are so many comparable passages), yet the Gospel of Mark is thought to have been written by a man named John Mark, who was not an eyewitness to the events in the Gospel of Mark.
However, there are a few counter-arguments, with the most important being that the early church claimed John as its own.
*shrug* Aside from that, Matthew devotes a significant amount of favorable attention to Peter in his gospel.
An evangelist
Matthew is regarded as one of the “Four Evangelists” of the New Testament. This is a term designated for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the four gospel authors who are considered to be the traditional authors of their respective books. It derives from the Greek word evangelion, which literally means “good news.” With their writings, these four authors spread the good news of Jesus Christ across the world.
A scribe?
It was Matthew’s responsibility as a tax collector to painstakingly record and document tax information, which he did with great diligence. Some believe that Jesus was referring to him in Matthew 13:52 because his employment would have officially qualified him as a “scribe,” according to this theory. “There is no doubt that the’scribe’ of Matthew 13:52 is Matthew himself, who in his previous life as a tax collector had worked as a secular scribe.” Jesus compares him to a someone who is ‘bringing out treasures new and old’—the old treasures being those he earned while working as a tax collector (such as gifts for precision and organization), and the new treasures being Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of heaven.
As a man with two sets of skills, Matthew is now prepared to engage in additional scribal work, specifically the authoring of the book that carries his name.” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, edited by Walter A.
Beitzel Nevertheless, some translations translate the word “scribe” in Matthew 13:52 as “teachers of the law,” and in context, Jesus certainly appears to be referring to those with a religious background—he speaks of angels separating the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 13:49)—and it appears more likely that bringing out “new treasures as well as hold” would refer to their knowledge of both the Law and the prophets in light of the gospel.
That being said, sure, Matthew may legally be referred to as a scribe—but not in the sense that the term is commonly used in the Bible.
When and where did Matthew live?
Matthew would have had to have lived at the same time as Jesus Christ in order to be considered a follower of Jesus Christ. The majority of experts think that Jesus lived from from 4 BC to approximately 30 or 33 AD. We can’t be definite that he was born in the first century since we don’t know how old he was when he encountered Jesus, but we can be confident that he lived throughout that time period. The exact date of his passing is unclear. Jesus and Matthew first met at a tax booth at Capernaum, a city on the edge of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus was preaching.
How did Matthew die?
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how Matthew died, as it is with the majority of the apostles. There are a number of contradicting tales of how he passed away. He is said to have carried out his ministry in “Ethiopia” (which is not the same as Ethiopia today, but a territory south of the Caspian Sea), Persia, Macedonia, and/or Syria according to the oldest accounts. In his commentary on the New Testament, Clement of Alexandria quotes Heracleon, one of the earliest commentators, as saying that Matthew died naturally: “But neither will this utterance be found to have been spoken universally; for all the saved have confessed in accordance with the confession made by the voice, and have departed.” “Among them are Matthew, Philip, Thomas, Levi, and a host of other individuals.” Stromata is a slang term for a woman who is pregnant.
This account is no longer accepted by the majority of researchers today.
According to the early church fathers, he was burnt, stoned, stabbed, or beheaded for his religious beliefs.
60, brought him to martyrdom in the latter nation.
Who wrote the Book of Matthew?
The author of the Gospel of Matthew is unknown, however Matthew the Apostle is widely regarded as the book’s primary author. According to the early church, he composed it, and the attribution “according to Matthew” was probably first inserted around the time of the first century AD. Despite the fact that there are compelling reasons against his authorship, no alternate author has been identified. Papias of Hierapolis, who was referenced byEusebius of Caesarea inChurch History, provides the first indication that he may have authored it: “So then Matthew penned the oracles in the Hebrew tongue, and every one interpreted them as he was able.” A similar claim was made by Irenaeus in his work Against Heresies, which was published between 130 and 202 AD.
The term “written” can also refer to “compiled,” “organized,” or “composed,” depending on the context.
Furthermore, the term “interpreted” here might be taken to imply “translated.” Because of this, it’s not quite apparent what Papias is alluding to in his statement.
Even more so given that he is referring to literature that was originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic, and that the Gospel of Matthew appears to have been written in Greek rather than translated into it, as some scholars believe.
However, this does not rule out the possibility that Matthew wrote this gospel as well.
Internal evidence for Matthew’s authorship
Certain scholars believe that Matthew’s Gospel has internally referenced evidence that ties it to Matthew’s profession, which might suggest that he was the biblical author. When compared to the other gospels, the Gospel of Matthew goes into greater depth and utilizes more frequent references to money. This is analogous to how the Gospel of Luke, written by Luke the physician, goes into greater detail and employs more exact medical language when describing maladies. In Mark, gold and silver are only referenced once, whereas in Luke, they are mentioned four times.
The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-20), which is well-known across the world, is found solely in the Gospel of Matthew.
For example, consider this passage from the prayer as reported by Matthew and Luke: “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” —Luke 11:4 (New International Version) (emphasis added) ” And forgive us our debts, just as we have forgiven our debtors,” says the Lord.
As recorded in Matthew 17:24, the temple tax was two drachmas, and the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” It appears that the author paid close attention to Jesus’ teachings regarding money, had a more in-depth grasp of financial problems, and regarded finance as a useful lens through which to view the gospel.
Ultimately, we won’t be able to affirm or deny who wrote the Gospel of Matthew until we have a byline.
Acts and Martyrdom of St. Matthew
Throughout the first several decades of the church, a plethora of tales concerning the apostles arose, becoming so numerous that it virtually established its own genre. Pseudepigrapha, or erroneously claimed to be written by a well-known Christian, were common among these mythical narratives, which featured miraculous experiences as well as Gnostic doctrines. Some of these narratives looked to be at least roughly based on truth, with specifics regarding how individuals died and where they journeyed being supported by the available evidence.
Matthew.
In an attempt to murder him, the monarch makes many attempts, finally nailing him to the ground and setting him ablaze with his own blood on the ground.
After seeing this final miracle, the king and his kingdom of man-eaters come to realize the one true God and place their trust in Jesus as their Savior.
In addition to Matthew’s works, there are additional ancient Christian and Gnostic texts concerning him or even claiming to have been written by him, some of which surfaced hundreds of years after his death (such as the so-calledGospel of Pseudo-Matthew.) Do you wish you had a greater understanding of the Bible?
It’s a great introduction to the Bible. Upon completion of this course, you will have sufficient information to engage in a reasonable discussion about the Bible with a pastor, an atheist, or anybody else.
The sinner turned saint
When it comes to the Apostle Matthew, there’s not much to go on. We do have what we don’t have, which is the gospels, which demonstrate that Matthew was one of Jesus’ most powerful examples of the forgiveness God extends to all who ask. However, Jesus accepted and loved this tax collector for who he was, regardless of his background. And despite his position as a religious outsider, Jesus gave him a prominent position within what would eventually become the largest religion in the world.