There are discrepancies within the four gospels, so I guess it depends on whom you ask. It’s only complicated by the fact that many of the disciples were known by more than one name. Regardless, there does seem to be consensus about the number twelve, which is probably a reference to the original twelve tribes of Israel over whom judgment will be made (Matthew 19:28). Here’s a quick rundown on the who’s who among Jesus’s disciples.
The following is a list of the 12 disciples from the Gospels of Mark and Matthew:
- Peter
- Andrew
- James, son of Zebedee
- John
- Philip
- Bartholomew, son of Talemai
- Matthew
- Thomas
- James, son of Alphaeus
- Thaddeus
- Simon the Zealot
- Judas Iscariot
The Gospel of Luke conforms to the previous two gospels, with the exception of the following two points:
- Thaddeus is called Judas. Thaddeus has been identified with Jude, brother of Jesus, Jude of James and Judas Thaddaeus – but not Judas Iscariot
- Simon the Zealot is refered to as Simon the Cananean – they are though to be the same person.
The Gospel of John does not name all the disciples, but it does refer to the “Twelve,” which is thought to reference the group. Within John the following disciples are mentioned:
- Peter
- Andrew
- the sons of Zebedee (probably James and John who were borthers)
- Philip
- Nathanael – may be the same person as Bartholomew, but it is not known
- Thomas
- Judas Iscariot
- Judas (besides Iscariot) – probably Thaddeus
References:
A New History of Early Christianity by Charles Freeman
Actually, I believe that they are called Apostles , the twelve I mean, disciple is a follower or a learner. I use to get that confused too until I read about the Church Fathers and also a book that tells what became of the Apostles and how they died. You might like to read it since you are interested in the Apostles, It is called, The Twelve, The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary,by C. Bernard Ruffin published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company.. Gracie
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