Disciple

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

During the lifetime of Jesus there were many who considered themselves his disciples. That is, they followed him and listened to his words, as pupils might listen to a teacher. Although these people may have thought Jesus to be the Messiah, many of them had a wrong understanding of the sort of person the Messiah would be. They expected him to be a political leader who would free the Jews from Roman domination and bring in the golden age ( John 6:14-15;  John 6:60-64). When they found that Jesus was not this kind of leader, they withdrew from him ( John 6:66-68).

Yet there were many, probably hundreds, who were true believers, true disciples ( Luke 6:17;  Luke 6:20). From these, Jesus chose twelve whom he appointed apostles ( Luke 6:13; see Apostle ). These twelve were Jesus’ disciples in a special sense, and became known as ‘the twelve disciples’ or simply ‘the disciples’ ( Matthew 16:13;  Matthew 20:17;  Matthew 24:3;  Matthew 26:17). After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, all the followers of Jesus became known as disciples ( Acts 1:15;  Acts 6:1;  Acts 9:1), and later as Christians ( Acts 11:26;  1 Peter 4:16; see Christian ).

The cost of discipleship

Jesus pointed out that those who want to become his disciples (whether in his day or in ours) have to accept his lordship in their lives. He may require them to give up their occupations, friends, possessions or status for his sake. On the other hand, he may not. The fact is that every disciple must be prepared to give up such things, should Jesus so direct. Usually Jesus will require different people to make different sacrifices, depending on who they are and what work he wants them to do. But always there will be some sacrifice. Self-denial is the only way to discipleship of Jesus Christ ( Mark 1:16-20;  Mark 8:34-38;  Mark 10:17-22;  Mark 10:28-30;  Luke 14:33;  Philippians 2:3-8; see Denial ).

Just as Jesus carried his cross to the place of his crucifixion, so each of his followers has to take up his or her cross and be prepared to die for Jesus’ sake ( Matthew 16:24-26; cf.  John 19:17-18). Even if the Christian’s discipleship does not lead to death, it will involve a certain amount of hardship, suffering and persecution ( Matthew 10:24-25;  Matthew 24:9;  John 15:20).

People therefore must consider beforehand what it will cost them to be Jesus’ disciples. They must be prepared for a lifetime of commitment to him. There is no place for those who make a start and then give up ( Luke 14:26-33;). Disciples must be ready to accept physical inconvenience ( Luke 9:57-58), to put their responsibilities to Christ before all other responsibilities ( Luke 9:59-60) and to be wholehearted in their devotion to Christ ( Luke 9:61-62).

Characteristics of the true disciple

A disciple is a learner, and the disciples of Jesus learn from him ( Matthew 11:29;  Ephesians 4:20). But merely to learn is not enough. They must put their learning into practice and maintain a consistent obedience if they are truly to be Jesus’ disciples ( John 8:31). They give visible proof that they are Jesus’ disciples through practising genuine love towards each other and through bearing spiritual fruit in their lives ( John 13:13-15;  John 13:35;  John 15:8).

This practical love extends beyond the group of fellow disciples to all people everywhere ( Matthew 5:44-46). Jesus’ disciples are therefore to take his message to others in order to make more disciples, no matter who the people are or where they live ( Matthew 28:19-20; see Mission ).

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

A — 1: Μαθητής (Strong'S #3101 — Noun Masculine — mathetes — math-ay-tes' )

lit., "a learner" (from manthano, "to learn," from a root math---, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor), in contrast to didaskalos, "a teacher;" hence it denotes "one who follows one's teaching," as the "disciples" of John,  Matthew 9:14; of the Pharisees,  Matthew 22:16; of Moses,  John 9:28; it is used of the "disciples" of Jesus (a) in a wide sense, of Jews who became His adherents,  John 6:66;  Luke 6:17 , some being secretly so,  John 19:38; (b) especially of the twelve Apostles,  Matthew 10:1;  Luke 22:11 , e.g.; (c) of all who manifest that they are His "disciples" by abiding in His Word,  John 8:31; cp.  John 13:35;  15:8; (d) in the Acts, of those who believed upon Him and confessed Him,  John 6:1,2,7;  14:20,22,28;  15:10;  19:1 , etc.

 John 8:31 15:8

A — 2: Μαθήτρια (Strong'S #3102 — Noun Feminine — mathetria — math-ay'-tree-ah )

"a female disciple," is said of Tabitha,  Acts 9:36 .

A — 3: Συμμαθητής (Strong'S #4827 — Noun Masculine — summathetes — soom-math-ay-tace' )

means "a fellow disciple" (sun, with, and No. 1),  John 11:16 .

 Acts 1:15

B — 1: Μαθητεύω (Strong'S #3100 — Verb — matheteuo — math-ayt-yoo'-o )

is used in the Active Voice, intransitively, in some mss., in  Matthew 27:57 , in the sense of being the "disciple" of a person; here, however, the best mss. have the Passive Voice, lit., "had been made a disciple," as in  Matthew 13:52 , RV, "who hath been made a disciple." It is used in this transitive sense in the Active Voice in  Matthew 28:19;  Acts 14:21 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

The use of the word ‘disciple’ (μαθητής) in the NT is remarkable and very instructive. It occurs 238 times in the Gospels. In the Epistles and the Apocalypse it does not occur at all, its place being taken by ‘saints’ (ἅγιοι) and ‘brethren’ (ἀδελφοί). Acts exhibits the transition, with ‘disciple’ (μαθητής) 28 times and the feminine form (μαθήτρια) once, but with ‘saints’ 4 times ( Acts 9:13;  Acts 9:32;  Acts 9:41;  Acts 26:10) and ‘brethren’ (not counting addresses, and mostly in the second half of the book) about 32 times. In Acts, ‘believers’ (πιστεύοντες, πιστεύσαντες, πεπιστευκότες) is another frequent equivalent. This explanation of the change from ‘disciple’ to the other terms is simple. During His life on earth, the followers of Jesus were called ‘disciples’ in reference to Him; afterwards they were called ‘saints’ in reference to their sacred calling, or ‘brethren’ in relation to one another (Sanday, Inspiration 3, 1896, p. 289). In Acts, the first title is going out of use, and the others are coming in; in ch. 9 all three terms are found. Christ’s charge, ‘Make disciples of all the nations’ ( Matthew 28:19), may have helped to keep ‘disciple’ in use.

‘Disciple’ means more than one who listens to a teacher; it implies his acceptance of the teaching, and his effort to act in accordance with it; it implies being a ‘believer’ in the teacher and being ready to be an ‘imitator’ (μιμητής) of him (Xen. Mem . I. vi. 3). It is remarkable that St. Paul does not call his converts his ‘disciples’-that might seem to be taking the place of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 1:13-15); but he speaks of them as his ‘imitators.’ In the Gospels, ‘disciple’ is often used in a special sense of the Twelve, and sometimes of the followers of human teachers-Moses, or John the Baptist, or the Pharisees. Neither use is found in Acts: in 19:2, ‘disciples’ does not mean disciples of John, as is shown by ‘when ye believed’ (πιστεύσαντες), that is, ‘when ye became Christians,’ which is the dominant meaning of this verb in Acts. These ‘disciples’ were imperfectly instructed Christians.

See also articleApostle. Alfred Plummer.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

μαθητής This word signifies strictly 'a learner' or 'pupil.' The Pharisees had such, whom they taught to fast.  Matthew 22:16;  Mark 2:18 . John the Baptist had disciples, who likewise fasted.  Matthew 9:14;  Luke 5:33;  John 3:25 . The Lord Jesus had His disciples: the apostles whom He chose to be with Him are called His 'twelve disciples,'  Matthew 11:1; but in other places the term is applied to all who followed the Lord, many of whom 'went back and walked no more with him.'  John 6:60-66 . When great multitudes followed the Lord, He turned to them and bade them count the cost of really following Him. Such an one must hate (in comparison with Christ) all his natural relations and his own life also. He must take up his cross and follow Christ, and he must forsake all that he had, or he could not be His disciple.  Luke 14:26-33 . On another occasion Jesus said to the Jews that believed on Him, "If ye abide in my word, ye are truly my disciples."  John 8:31 . It was true association in heart with a rejected Christ.  Matthew 10:24,25;  John 15:8 .

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

The proper signification of this word is a learner; but it signifies in the New Testament, a believer, a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. Disciple is often used instead of Apostle in the Gospels; but, subsequently, Apostles were distinguished from disciples. The seventy-two who followed our Saviour from the beginning, are called disciples; as are others who were of the body of believers, and bore no office. In subsequent times, the name disciple, in the sense of learner, was sometimes given to the καταηχουμενοι , "auditores," persons who, in the primitive church, were receiving a preparatory instruction in Christianity. They were divided into two classes, those who received private instruction, and those who were admitted to the congregations, and were under immediate preparation for baptism. The church readers were, in some places, appointed to instruct the catechumens; and at Alexandria, where often learned men presented themselves for instruction, the office of catechist was filled by learned laymen, and these catechists laid the foundation of an important theological school.

King James Dictionary

DISCIPLE, n. L., to learn.

1. A learner a scholar one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another as the disciples of Plato. 2. A follower an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.

DISCIPLE,

1. To teach to train, or bring up. 2. To make disciples of to convert to doctrines or principles.

This authority he employed in sending missionaries to disciple all nations.

3. To punish to discipline. Not in use.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. t.) To punish; to discipline.

(2): ( v. t.) To make disciples of; to convert to doctrines or principles.

(3): ( n.) One who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe in the truth of the doctrine of his teacher; an adherent in doctrine; as, the disciples of Plato; the disciples of our Savior.

(4): ( v. t.) To teach; to train.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A scholar,  Matthew 10:24 . In the New Testament it is applied principally to the followers of Christ; sometimes to those of John the Baptist,  Matthew 22:16 . It is used in a special manner to point out the twelve,  Matthew 10:1   11:1   20:17 . A disciple of Christ may now be defined as one who believes his doctrine, rests upon his sacrifice, imbibes his spirit, imitates his example, and lives to do his work.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Matthew 9:14 Matthew 10:24 Luke 14:26,27,33 John 6:69

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

A scholar or one who attends the lectures, and professes the tenets of another. A disciple of Christ is one who believes his doctrines, imbibes his spirit, and follows his example.

See CHRISTIAN.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Disciple. See Apostles .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

di - sı̄´p ' l  :

(1) Usually a substantive (μαθητής , mathētḗs , "a learner," from manthánō , "to learn"; Latin discipulus , "a scholar"): The word is found in the Bible only in the Gospels and Acts. But it is good Greek, in use from Herodotus down, and always means the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher (διδάσκαλος , didáskalos ). See  Matthew 10:24;  Luke 6:40 . In all cases it implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in practice an adherent. The word has several applications. In the widest sense it refers to those who accept the teachings of anyone, not only in belief but in life. Thus the disciples of John the Baptist ( Matthew 9:14;  Luke 7:18;  John 3:25 ); also of the Pharisees ( Matthew 22:16;  Mark 2:18;  Luke 5:33 ); of Moses ( John 9:28 ). But its most common use is to designate the adherents of Jesus. ( a ) In the widest sense ( Matthew 10:42;  Luke 6:17;  John 6:66 , and often). It is the only name for Christ's followers in the Gospels. But ( b ) especially the Twelve Apostles, even when they are called simply the disciples ( Matthew 10:1;  Matthew 11:1;  Matthew 12:1 , et al.). In the Acts, after the death and ascension of Jesus, disciples are those who confess Him as the Messiah, Christians ( Acts 6:1 ,  Acts 6:2 ,  Acts 6:7;  Acts 9:36 (feminine, mathḗtria );  Acts 11:26 , "The disciples were called Christians"). Even half-instructed be-lievers who had been baptized only with the baptism of John are disciples ( Acts 19:1-4 ).

(2) We have also the verb, μαθητεύω , mathēteúō , "Jesus' disciple" (literally, "was discipled to Jesus,"  Matthew 27:57 ); "Make disciples of all the nations" (the King James Version "teach,"  Matthew 28:19 ); "had made many disciples" (the King James Version "taught many,"  Acts 14:21 ); "every scribe who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven" (the King James Version "instructed,"  Matthew 13:52 ). The disciple of Christ today may be described in the words of Farrar, as "one who believes His doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example."

The Old Testament has neither the term nor the exact idea, though there is a difference between teacher and scholar among David's singers ( 1 Chronicles 25:8 ), and among the prophetic guilds the distinction between the rank and file and the leader ( 1 Samuel 19:20;  2 Kings 6:5 ).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Lat. discipulus, a scholar, from discere, to learn:  Matthew 10:24), one who professes to have learned Certain principles from another, and maintains them on that other's authority. In the New Testament it is applied principally to the followers of Christ; sometimes to those of John the Baptist,  Matthew 9:14; and of the Pharisees,  Matthew 22:16. It is used in a special manner to point out the twelve,  Matthew 10:1;  Matthew 11:1;  Matthew 20:17. A disciple of Christ may now be defined as one who believes his doctrine, rests upon his sacrifice, imbibes his spirit, and imitates his example (Farrar, Bibl. and Theol. Dict. s.v.). "There are three senses in which men are sometimes called disciples of any other person:

(1.) Incorrectly, from their simply maintaining something that he maintains, without any profession or proof of its being derived from him. Thus Augustine was a predestinarian, and so was Mohammed, yet no one supposes that the one derived his belief from the other. It is very common, however, to say of another that he is an Arian, Athanasian, Socinian, etc. which tends to mislead, unless it is admitted, or can be proved, that he learned his opinions from this or that master.

(2.) When certain persons avow that they have adopted the views of another, not, however, on his authority, but from holding them to be agreeable to reason or to Scriplture, as the Platonic, and most other philosophical sects — the Lutherans, Zuinglians, etc.

(3.) When, like the disciples of Jesus, and, as it is said, of the Pythagoreans, and the adherents of certain churches, they profess to receive their system on the authority of their master or Church, to acquiesce in an 'ipse-dixit,' or to receive all that the Church receives. These three senses should be carefully kept distinct."

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Disciple, a scholar or follower of any teacher, in the general sense. It is hence applied in the Gospels not only to the followers of Christ, but to those of John the Baptist (, etc.), and of the Pharisees . Although used of the followers of Christ generally, it is applied in a special manner to the twelve apostles . After the death of Christ the word took the wider sense of a believer, or Christian; i.e. a follower of Jesus Christ.