In the New Testament, the term "disciples" primarily refers to the twelve men chosen by Jesus Christ to be His closest followers and to carry forth His teachings. These twelve disciples, also known as apostles, are central figures in the Gospels and the early Christian Church. The names of the twelve are Simon Peter, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus (also known as Judas, son of James), Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who was later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26).

The Twelve Disciples

1. Simon Peter: Often considered the leader of the apostles, Peter was a fisherman by trade. He is known for his boldness and his confession of Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:16). Despite his denial of Jesus during the trial, he was restored and became a foundational leader in the early Church (John 21:15-17).

2. Andrew: The brother of Peter, Andrew was also a fisherman. He is noted for bringing others to Jesus, including his brother Peter (John 1:40-42).

3. James the son of Zebedee: Known as James the Greater, he was part of Jesus' inner circle along with Peter and John. He was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2).

4. John: The brother of James, John is often referred to as the "beloved disciple." He authored the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

5. Philip: Known for his evangelistic zeal, Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45-46) and later played a significant role in the spread of the Gospel (Acts 8:5-40).

6. Bartholomew: Often identified with Nathanael, Bartholomew is noted for his initial skepticism about Jesus, which turned into a profound declaration of faith (John 1:49).

7. Thomas: Also known as "Doubting Thomas" due to his initial disbelief in Jesus' resurrection, Thomas later made a strong confession of faith, declaring Jesus as "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

8. Matthew: A former tax collector, Matthew authored the Gospel that bears his name. His calling demonstrates Jesus' outreach to those considered sinners (Matthew 9:9-13).

9. James the son of Alphaeus: Often called James the Less, little is known about his life and ministry.

10. Thaddaeus: Also known as Judas, son of James, he is noted for asking Jesus why He would reveal Himself to the disciples and not to the world (John 14:22).

11. Simon the Zealot: Known for his zeal, Simon was a member of the Zealots, a Jewish political movement. His inclusion among the apostles highlights the diverse backgrounds of Jesus' followers.

12. Judas Iscariot: Known for betraying Jesus, Judas' actions led to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. His betrayal is a somber reminder of the dangers of greed and unfaithfulness (Matthew 26:14-16).

Others Present

Beyond the twelve, there were other significant figures who followed Jesus and were present during key events in His ministry. These include:

· Mary Magdalene: A devoted follower of Jesus, she was present at the crucifixion and was the first to witness the resurrected Christ (John 20:11-18).

· Mary, the mother of Jesus: Present at the crucifixion, she was entrusted to the care of John by Jesus (John 19:26-27).

· Martha and Mary of Bethany: Sisters who were close friends of Jesus, they are known for their faith and hospitality (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-44).

· Lazarus: The brother of Martha and Mary, Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus, which became a pivotal miracle in Jesus' ministry (John 11:1-44).

· Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus: Both were members of the Jewish council who showed their devotion to Jesus by caring for His body after the crucifixion (John 19:38-42).

· The Seventy-Two: In addition to the twelve, Jesus appointed seventy-two others and sent them out in pairs to preach and heal (Luke 10:1-24).

These individuals, along with many unnamed followers, played crucial roles in the life and ministry of Jesus, contributing to the spread of His message and the establishment of the early Church.