Difference Between Disciple and Apostle
The terms “disciple” and “apostle” are central to the New Testament’s narrative and theology, yet they are often misunderstood or conflated in both popular and scholarly discussions. While both words refer to followers of Jesus, their meanings, roles, and implications differ in important ways. This article will explore the biblical definitions and functions of disciples and apostles, examine the relationship among the Twelve, and clarify the status of key figures such as Peter and John.
The Concept of the Disciple
The Greek word for disciple, mathetes, appears frequently in the Gospels and Acts. At its core, a disciple is a learner, student, or follower. In the context of first-century Judaism, discipleship involved attaching oneself to a teacher (rabbi), adopting his teachings, and imitating his way of life. This relationship was not just academic but personal and transformative.
In the New Testament, the term “disciple” is most often used to describe those who follow Jesus. Jesus called individuals to leave their former lives and become his disciples, inviting them into a relationship of learning, obedience, and transformation. For example, in Matthew 4:19, Jesus says to Simon Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This call is both an invitation and a command, requiring a decisive response.
Discipleship in the New Testament is characterized by several key elements. First, it involves a personal commitment to Jesus as Teacher and Lord. In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus sets forth the cost of discipleship: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” This radical call underscores that discipleship is not a casual association but a total reorientation of life around Jesus.
Second, discipleship entails learning from Jesus and putting his teachings into practice. In John 8:31, Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” The disciple is an active participant in the life and mission of Jesus. This is further emphasized in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs his followers to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Third, discipleship is communal. While the Gospels often focus on the twelve, they also mention a larger group of disciples, both men and women, who accompany Jesus and support his ministry (Luke 8:1-3; 10:1). The book of Acts continues this pattern, referring to the early Christians as “disciples” (Acts 6:1-2, 9:1, 11:26), highlighting the ongoing nature of discipleship in the life of the church.
The Concept of the Apostle
The term “apostle” (apostolos in Greek) is less common but carries a distinct and weighty meaning. Literally, “apostle” means “one who is sent” or “a messenger.” In the New Testament, the word is used in both a general and a specific sense.
In the general sense, an apostle is anyone who is sent out with a message or mission. For example, in John 13:16, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger [apostolos] greater than the one who sent him.” Here, the term refers broadly to anyone commissioned to represent another.
However, the New Testament most often uses “apostle” in a specific sense to refer to a select group of individuals chosen and commissioned by Jesus to be his authoritative representatives. The most prominent of these are the Twelve, whom Jesus appoints “so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons” (Mark 3:14-15). The list of the twelve apostles is given in several places (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16), and includes Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas the son of James (also called Thaddaeus), and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias, Acts 1:26).
The apostles are distinguished by several key features. First, they are personally chosen by Jesus. In Luke 6:13, “he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.” This very clearly sets the apostles apart from the larger group of disciples.
Second, the apostles are given a unique authority and mission. They are sent out to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and bear witness to the resurrection (Matthew 10:1-8; Acts 1:8, 2:32). Their authority is granted by Jesus, who sends them as his representatives.
Third, the apostles are foundational to the establishment of the church. In Ephesians 2:19-20, Paul writes, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” The apostles’ witness to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection forms the bedrock of Christian faith and community.
Are the Twelve Apostles and the Twelve Disciples the Same?
This question is a source of confusion for many readers of the New Testament. The answer is both yes and no, depending on the context. The twelve men whom Jesus called to be his closest followers are referred to as both “disciples” and “apostles.” They are disciples in the sense that they are learners and followers of Jesus, just like the broader group of disciples. However, they are also apostles in the sense that they are specifically chosen and sent out by Jesus with unique authority and responsibility.
Luke 6:13 provides a clear distinction: “And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.” Here, the larger group of disciples is the pool from which the twelve apostles are selected. So all apostles are disciples, but not all disciples are apostles. The terms overlap but are not synonymous.
After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the twelve apostles play a central role in proclaiming the gospel, establishing churches, and providing authoritative teaching (Acts 2:42-47; 4:33; 6:2-4). When Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus and dies, the remaining apostles select Matthias to take his place, emphasizing the importance of eyewitness testimony to Jesus’ resurrection as a qualification for apostleship (Acts 1:21-22).
What is the Difference Between Disciple and Apostle? The Implications
The distinction between disciple and apostle has significant theological and practical implications. It underscores the universality of discipleship. All who respond to Jesus’ call are invited into a life of learning, transformation, and mission. Discipleship is not limited to a select few but is the calling of every believer. As Jesus commands in the Great Commission, the church is to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
The unique role of the apostles highlights the importance of eyewitness testimony and authoritative teaching in the formation of Christian faith. The apostles’ witness to Jesus’ resurrection is foundational; as Peter declares, “We are witnesses of all that he did… God raised him on the third day and made him to appear… to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses” (Acts 10:39-41). The apostolic teaching, preserved in the New Testament, remains the standard for Christian doctrine and practice.
The distinction guards against confusion regarding authority and leadership in the church. While all believers are called to serve and bear witness, the office of apostle is unique.
Conclusion - Difference Between Disciple and Apostle
The difference between a disciple and an apostle is rooted in the New Testament’s vision of the church as a community of learners and witnesses. Disciples are those who follow Jesus, learn from him, and seek to live according to his teachings. Apostles are those specifically chosen and sent by Jesus to be his authoritative representatives and to lay the foundation for the church. While all apostles are disciples, not all disciples are apostles. This distinction highlights the universal invitation to discipleship and the unique, foundational role of the apostles in the story of redemption. As the church continues to make disciples and bear witness to the apostolic faith, it participates in the ongoing mission of God in the world.