The Greek word for “disciple” is “μαθητής.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia indicates this word, as a noun, is used only in the Gospels and Acts. As a verb, the word means “to learn, to conform to.” Therefore, a disciple was a learner and follower – one who adheres to someone’s teaching or instruction (see, Mt. 5:1). In fact, it was a common, first century designation given for students. We find that there were disciples of John the Baptist (Mt. 11:2), disciples of the Pharisees (Lk. 5:33), and disciples of Moses (Jn. 9:28).
Accordingly, what does a disciple of Jesus look like? What are some characteristics of Jesus’ disciples? First and most importantly, a true disciple of Jesus is one who believes the good news of the gospel (Acts 14:21). This involves believing Jesus for who he is (Jn. 1:41, 45, 49; 6:69).
Second, being a true disciple means the devotion of our entire lives for our entire life. Jesus urges us to count the costs before becoming his disciple (Lk. 14:25-33) and throughout our journey as a disciple here on earth (Lk. 9:23). Some, however, who are called disciples are not true disciples (Jn. 6:66). One can be closely associated with Jesus without becoming a true disciple of his (for example, Judas Iscariot, Jn. 6:70). In some sense, one must first be called by Jesus to become a disciple of his (Mk. 1:17-20; Jn. 6:70; 15:16).
Third, being a disciple in the early Church involved sacrificial service to others (Mt. 14:19-20; Jn. 13:14-17; Acts 6:2-3).
Fourth, Jesus’ disciples are part of an obedient community (Mt. 12:49-50; Acts 6:7). Just as marriage is a genuine expression of love, so too is obedience a genuine expression of discipleship.
And, fifth, disciples of Jesus share in the privilege of duplicating themselves (Mt. 28:19-20). Jesus implores his first disciples to continue the work he began in them.
Being a disciple of Jesus is not merely gaining knowledge, but integrating what is learned into our lives. We want not only to be informed of our Master’s life, but transformed by his life as well. Jesus says that a “student” (μαθητής) will not only learn from his teacher, but will be “like his teacher” (Lk. 6:40). This principle of being changed by what we learn comes out loud and clear in Phil. 4:9 where Paul encourages the Philippian believers to take what they have “learned” from him and “put it into practice.” How exciting to know that we are pupils of the living God who personally trains us to be like him!
Nice post. I was very encouraged by your thoughts.
Although along different lines I also enjoy the discussion of the disciples by John P. Meier in his book A Marginal Jew (vol. 3 pp. 40-124). He writes, “The very use of the word ‘disciple’ for the committed itinerant followers of Jesus was probably a fairly new application of a word that is scarcely witnessed in the Jewish Scriptures or pseudepigrapha before the time of Jesus.” (78) Of particular note is his discussion of “Were the women followers of Jesus disciples?” (73-80). Here I found it interesting that during the time of Christ in both Hebrew and Aramaic “there was literally no feminine noun that could be used to describe them; there was no noun that said ‘female disciple(s).” (78) The only use of the feminine form in Koine Greek of disciple (mathetria) is found in Acts 9:36 which is used to describe Tabitha. The usage is relatively rare outside the NT.
Of course, these observations are more academic in nature than is your post.
Thanks, Louis. Glad you found my “findings” useful.
Very interesting re: the lack of a feminine noun. Not sure what to make of it, but I suspect it has something to do with the influence of a patristic culture upon semantics?