Bible Encyclopedia: Disciple

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

DISCIPLE

di-si'-p'-l:

(1) Usually a substantive (mathetes, "a learner," from manthano, "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 (didaskalos). 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, 2, 7; Acts 9:36 (feminine, mathetria); Acts 11:26, "The disciples were called Christians"). Even half-instructed believers who had been baptized only with the baptism of John are disciples (Acts 19:1-4).

(2) We have also the verb, matheteuo, "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).

G. H. Trever

Greek

3100. matheteuo -- to be a disciple, to make a disciple
... to be a disciple, to make a disciple. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: matheteuo
Phonetic Spelling: (math-ayt-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I make disciples ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3100.htm - 7k

3101. mathetes -- a disciple
... a disciple. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: mathetes Phonetic Spelling:
(math-ay-tes') Short Definition: a learner, disciple, pupil Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3101.htm - 7k

4827. summathetes -- a fellow disciple
... a fellow disciple. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: summathetes
Phonetic Spelling: (soom-math-ay-tace') Short Definition: a fellow-disciple ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4827.htm - 6k

3102. mathetria -- a female disciple
... a female disciple. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: mathetria Phonetic
Spelling: (math-ay'-tree-ah) Short Definition: a female disciple Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3102.htm - 6k

3102a. mathetria -- a female disciple
... a female disciple. Transliteration: mathetria Short Definition: disciple. Word Origin
fem. of mathetes Definition a female disciple NASB Word Usage disciple (1) ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3102a.htm - 5k

190. akoloutheo -- to follow
... From a (as a particle of union) and keleuthos (a road); properly, to be in the same
way with, ie To accompany (specially, as a disciple) -- follow, reach. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/190.htm - 8k

3404. miseo -- to hate
... 3404 , 'love less' than the Lord) his own father and mother and wife and children
and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3404.htm - 8k

4345. proskleroo -- to allot to
... Phonetic Spelling: (pros-klay-ro'-o) Short Definition: I assign by lot, allot
Definition: I assign by lot, allot, associate with, follow as a disciple. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4345.htm - 6k

4247. presbutis -- an aged woman
... 4247 -- properly, older woman, referring to the scriptural resposibility older women
(especially over 50) have to disciple younger Christian women (used only ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4247.htm - 6k

3129. manthano -- to learn
... 3129 (akin to 3101 , "a disciple") -- properly, key facts; gaining " as someone
learns from experience, often with the implication of -- 'come to realize ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3129.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

3928. limmud -- taught
... accustomed. Word Origin from lamad Definition taught NASB Word Usage accustomed
(2), disciple (1), disciples (2), taught (1). instructed. ...
/hebrew/3928.htm - 6k

Library

An Old Disciple
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END AN OLD DISCIPLE. '... One Mnason of Cyprus,
an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.'"Acts 21:16. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/an old disciple.htm

"That Other Disciple"
... VIII "THAT OTHER DISCIPLE". John xx.8. About fifty years ago, one of the
most distinguished of New England preachers, Horace Bushnell ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/viii that other disciple.htm

Almost a Disciple
... ALMOST A DISCIPLE. 'And when He was gone forth into the way, there came
one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him. Good Master ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/almost a disciple.htm

The Disciple, -- Master, what is the Real Meaning of Service? is ...
... IV. SERVICE SECTION I The Disciple, " Master, what is the real meaning of service? ...
The Disciple,"Master, what is the real meaning of service? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 4.htm

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
... V. THE CROSS AND THE MYSTERY OF SUFFERING SECTION I The Disciple, " What
is the meaning and purpose of the cross� The Disciple ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 5.htm

The Disciple, -- Master, it is Clear to Almost Everyone that to ...
... II. SIN AND SALVATION SECTION I The Disciple, " Master, it is clear
to almost everyone that to disobey God and� The Disciple ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 2.htm

The Disciple, -- Sometimes this Question is Asked, "Since God is ...
... III. PRAYER SECTION I The Disciple, " Sometimes this question is asked,
"Since God is fully aware of our� The Disciple,"Sometimes ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 3.htm

The Disciple, -- Master, what are Heaven and Hell...
... VI. HEAVEN AND HELL SECTION I The Disciple, " Master, what are heaven and hell�
The Disciple,"Master, what are heaven and hell, and where are they? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 6.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... Lesson 12 From Persecutor to Disciple. [This chapter is based on Acts 9:1-18.]
Prominent among the Jewish leaders who became thoroughly ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple.
... CHAPTER VI. JESUS AND THE BELOVED DISCIPLE. My Lord, my Love! in pleasant
pain How often have I said, "Blessed that John who on ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter vi jesus and the.htm

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Disciple

[APOSTLES]

ATS Bible Dictionary

Disciple

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

A scholar, sometimes applied to the followers of John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14), and of the Pharisees (22:16), but principally to the followers of Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Matthew 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (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.

2. (v. t.) To teach; to train.

3. (v. t.) To punish; to discipline.

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

Thesaurus

Disciple (38 Occurrences)
... A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice,
(3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Matthew 10:24 ...
/d/disciple.htm - 22k

Mnason (1 Occurrence)
... He was an "old disciple" (RV, "early disciple"), ie, he had become a Christian in
the beginning of the formation of the Church in Jerusalem. Int. ...
/m/mnason.htm - 8k

Dear (120 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 19:26 So when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple who was dear to
him, he said to his mother, Mother, there is your son! (BBE NIV). ...
/d/dear.htm - 37k

Loving (292 Occurrences)
... John 19:26 Jesus, therefore, having seen 'his' mother, and the disciple standing
by, whom he was loving, he saith to his mother, 'Woman, lo, thy son;' (YLT). ...
/l/loving.htm - 36k

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)
... John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple
whom Jesus loved, and saith to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the ...
/s/sepulcher.htm - 20k

Loved (249 Occurrences)
... John 19:26 Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing
there, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" (WEB KJV WEY ...
/l/loved.htm - 35k

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)
... John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple,
whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of ...
/s/sepulchre.htm - 25k

Running (135 Occurrences)
... John 20:2 Then she went running to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple who was
loved by Jesus, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the ...
/r/running.htm - 37k

Can't (180 Occurrences)
... 26 "If anyone comes to me, and doesn't hate his own father, mother, wife, children,
brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can't be my disciple. ...
/c/can't.htm - 34k

Arimathaea (4 Occurrences)
... man.... who was looking for the kingdom of God" (Luke 23:50 Mark 15:43), and
"himself was Jesus' disciple" (Matthew 27:57 John 19:38). ...
/a/arimathaea.htm - 11k

Bible Concordance

Disciple (38 Occurrences)

Matthew 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Matthew 10:42 Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 13:52 He said to them, "Therefore, every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things."
(WEB ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS)

Matthew 23:15 A curse is on you, scribes and Pharisees, false ones! for you go about land and sea to get one disciple and, having him, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
(BBE)

Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, "Can it be I, Rabbi?" "It is you," He replied.
(WEY)

Matthew 27:57 When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus' disciple came.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(Root in WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me, and doesn't hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can't be my disciple.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 14:27 Whoever doesn't bear his own cross, and come after me, can't be my disciple.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 14:33 So therefore whoever of you who doesn't renounce all that he has, he can't be my disciple.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 1:43 The day after this, Jesus had a desire to go into Galilee. He came across Philip and said to him, Come and be my disciple.
(BBE)

John 9:28 They insulted him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks."
(See NIV)

John 13:38 Jesus said in answer, Will you give up your life for me? Truly I say to you, Before the cry of the cock you will have said three times that you are not my disciple.
(BBE)

John 18:15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 18:16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 19:26 Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 19:27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 19:38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 20:2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid him!"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 20:3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 20:4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 20:8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 21:7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 21:19 This He said to indicate the kind of death by which that disciple would bring glory to God; and after speaking thus He said to him, "Follow me."
(WEY)

John 21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus sincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus' breast at the supper and asked, "Lord, who is going to betray You?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 21:22 Jesus saith to him, 'If him I will to remain till I come, what -- to thee? be thou following me.' This word, therefore, went forth to the brethren that that disciple doth not die,
(YLT)

John 21:23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn't die. Yet Jesus didn't say to him that he wouldn't die, but, "If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 16:1 He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 19:11 The chiefs of Zoan are completely foolish; the wisest guides of Pharaoh have become like beasts: how do you say to Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the offspring of early kings?
(See NIV)

Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are experienced, so that I may be able to give the word a special sense for the feeble: every morning my ear is open to his teaching, like those who are experienced:
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Disciple

Disciple of Jesus

Disciple of John the Baptist

Disciple: First Called "Christians" at Antioch

Disciple: The Seventy (Better Mss Have "Seventy-Two") Followers of Jesus are Sent Forth

Related Terms

Mnason (1 Occurrence)

Dear (120 Occurrences)

Loving (292 Occurrences)

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)

Loved (249 Occurrences)