The Disciples Of Jesus Series

Transition Video: Doubting Thomas skit guys!

Series: Jesus 12 Disciples

Sermon: The final 4 faithful Disciples of Jesus

The final five will take us through the journey of doubt – to less and being less – to a fierce zealot who was use to using the dagger to speak – to the disciple with three names – and finally to the Traitor!

Scriptures:

Matthew 10:2-4:

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Mark 3:14–19

13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostlesa—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Luke 6:12–16

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Lk 6:12–16.

Acts 1:13

When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

Thesis: This last group of disciples reveal ordinary men who gave up everything to follow Jesus and each one impacted entire regions for the Kingdom of Heaven– we see the final 4 faithful disciples and the One designated in Scripture as Judas the traitor.

Introduction:

Historical Setting and the Calling of the Twelve

The designation “disciples” refers to a group of followers personally chosen by Jesus. While the Gospels mention numerous “disciples,” the term “the Twelve” specifically denotes those whom Jesus selected to represent Him in a special apostolic ministry. According to archaeological studies of Galilean sites such as Capernaum (notably extensive excavations revealing first-century foundations consistent with the timelines presented in the Gospels), their calling took place early in Christ’s public ministry. The consistent textual witness across ancient Gospel manuscripts (such as Papyrus P64 and Codex Vaticanus) underscores that these accounts of the chosen Twelve have been preserved reliably.

Names of the Twelve in Matthew 10:2-4

Matthew presents his listing immediately after Jesus instructs these closest followers to go out and preach. In the Berean Standard Bible, Matthew 10:2-4 reads:

“These are the names of the twelve apostles:

1. First Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

2. James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

3. Philip and Bartholomew;

4. Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;

5. James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

6. Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.”

Names of the Twelve in Luke 6:13-16

Luke’s account places the formal choice of the Twelve after Jesus spends an entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12). The Berean Standard Bible records the list as follows in Luke 6:13-16:

“When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles:

1. Simon, whom He named Peter,

2. and his brother Andrew,

3. James and John,

4. Philip and Bartholomew,

5. Matthew and Thomas,

6. James son of Alphaeus,

7. Simon called the Zealot,

8. Judas son of James,

9. and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Comparing Matthew and Luke

In examining both passages, the names appear mostly in the same order, with only slight variances in the middle of the lists. Two terms, “Thaddaeus” (in Matthew) and “Judas son of James” (in Luke), are the most notable difference. In Mark 3:18, the person is listed as “Thaddaeus,” consistent with Matthew’s account, whereas Luke identifies him as “Judas son of James.”

Though at first glance this might appear to be a contradiction, historical and linguistic studies shed light on why the same man might be referred to by different names or nicknames. Ancient Jewish practice often involved alternate names (e.g., Saul also called Paul). Early Church writings (e.g., in some references by Eusebius and surviving fragments of apostolic traditions) also acknowledge that “Thaddaeus” and “Judas son of James” refer to the same individual.