# disciple

## Definition:

The term “disciple” refers to a person who spends much time with a teacher, learning from that teacher’s character and teaching.

* The people who followed Jesus around, listening to his teachings and obeying them, were called his “disciples.”
* John the Baptist also had disciples.
* During Jesus’ ministry, there were many disciples who followed him and heard his teachings.
* Jesus chose twelve disciples to be his closest followers; these men became known as his “apostles.”
* Jesus’ twelve apostles continued to be known as his “disciples” or “the 12.”
* Just before Jesus went up to heaven, he commanded his disciples to teach other people about how to become Jesus’ disciples, too.
* Anyone who believes in Jesus and obeys his teachings is called a disciple of Jesus.

## Translation Suggestions:

* The term “disciple” could be translated by a word or phrase that means “follower” or “student” or “pupil” or “learner.”
* Make sure that the translation of this term does not refer only to a student who learns in a classroom.
* The translation of this term should also be different from the translation of “apostle.”

(See also: [apostle](../kt/apostle.md), [believe](../kt/believe.md), [Jesus](../kt/jesus.md), [John (the Baptist)](../names/johnthebaptist.md), [the twelve](../kt/thetwelve.md))

## Bible References:

* [Acts 06:1](rc://en/tn/help/act/06/01)
* [Acts 09:26-27](rc://en/tn/help/act/09/26)
* [Acts 11:26](rc://en/tn/help/act/11/26)
* [Acts 14:22](rc://en/tn/help/act/14/22)
* [John 13:23](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/13/23)
* [Luke 06:40](rc://en/tn/help/luk/06/40)
* [Matthew 11:03](rc://en/tn/help/mat/11/03)
* [Matthew 26:33-35](rc://en/tn/help/mat/26/33)
* [Matthew 27:64](rc://en/tn/help/mat/27/64)

## Examples from the Bible stories:

* __[30:08](rc://en/tn/help/obs/30/08)__ He (Jesus) gave the pieces to his __disciples__ to give to the people. The __disciples__ kept passing out the food, and it never ran out!
* __[38:01](rc://en/tn/help/obs/38/01)__ About three years after Jesus first began preaching and teaching publicly, Jesus told his __disciples__ that he wanted to celebrate this Passover with them in Jerusalem, and that he would be killed there.
* __[38:11](rc://en/tn/help/obs/38/11)__ Then Jesus went with his __disciples__ to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus told his __disciples__ to pray that they would not enter into temptation.
* __[42:10](rc://en/tn/help/obs/42/10)__ Jesus said to his __disciples__, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So go, make __disciples__ of all people groups by baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”


## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H3928, G3100, G3101, G3102
