Wandering Preacher, Unique Teacher

Jesus as a Rabbi Jesus wandered the countryside preaching like most rabbi’s of the day. He was not an official rabbi, but his ministry resembles that of a rabbi

How Was Jesus Different Than the Rabbis? Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God: The idea of the Kingdom of God was central notion for the Jewish people of his day. The Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus through his actions and words was different than the common belief Jesus claimed a special role: Jesus not only proclaimed the coming of a new Kingdom, but he claimed himself a special role as the one who personally establish and embody it. Jesus taught with special authority: Jesus taught with a special authority not seen before. Matthew 7:28-29 says “the crowds were astounded at his teachings, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes”. Other rabbis were taught to study the scriptures carefully and use them to back up everything they say. Jesus on the other hand, claimed himself as the sole judge of the truth he taught. Jesus used parables and performed miracles: Jesus differed dramatically from other teachers because he used parables and performed miracles.

Jesus and His Disciples A Unique Relationship

What Is a Disciple? It was normal at the time for rabbis to have disciples. They would follow the rabbi and learn his teachings to the extent that they could repeat them word for word, and in turn become a rabbi themselves With Jesus this relationship is different: Jesus’ called his disciples, they did not choose him (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1- 11) Jesus did not simply share teachings with his disciples that they were required to memorize. Jesus’ disciples were not take the title rabbi, because their authority came from their relationship with Jesus “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students.” (Matthew 23:8) Jesus’ disciples were not only expected to watch and learn from Jesus, but they were called to share in his mission of proclaiming the Kingdom

The Twelve Jesus called twelve disciples, who are often called just “The Twelve” Your textbook calls them Apostles. Please note that the term “Apostle” is not a common name in the gospels. It only appears a few times in the Gospel of Luke, otherwise it is a post-resurrection name found in the Acts of the Apostles. Apostle comes from a Greek word meaning “to send forth”. The disciples do not appear in John at all The fact that Jesus called twelve disciples is to echo the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve would eventually be recognized as a “New Israel” created in the new Christian community. Having twelve is so essential, that after Judas dies, Matthias is chosen to replace him among the twelve. (Acts 1:15-26)

Who Were the Twelve? Matthew Mark Luke Simon . . .Peter Andrew [Simon’s] brother James son of Zebedee John the brother of James James John [son of Zebedee] Andrew John Philip Bartholomew Thomas Matthew the tax-collector James son of Alphaeus James son of Alaphaeus Thaddaeus Simon . . . The Zealot Simon the Cananaen Judas son of James Judas Iscariot

Peter Peter is mentioned more than any other disciple Peter eventually becomes our first Pope The Gospel portrait of Peter is actually quite negative (see Mark)

Ordinary People with an Extraordinary Calling The disciples were regular people. They were tax collectors, fishermen, hotheads, etc. The three synoptic gospels shed different light on the disciples Eventually they would turn their back on him, and then come back to him after the resurrection. They were ordinary people, but through their association with Jesus they did extraordinary things

Activity Using a Bible, find examples of how the synoptic gospels portrayed the disciples. Find at least one example from each synoptic gospel. Are the disciples shown the same way? How are they different? Is it positive? Negative?

Activity Summary: Mark Mark presents the disciples as ignorant They tend to bicker among themselves about who will be great, but to fail in seeing that suffering is essential to greatness Disciples are presented as a counter-type. They are an example of what not to do Apostolic authority: There is clearly a circle of twelve with Peter at the head, but they are not imagined as founders of the church, and are not to holy to criticize

Activity Summary: Matthew Disciples are portrayed as figures for Church leadership Jesus has given them the role of teacher: he commissions them to evangelize In Matthew we first start to see them as Church leaders who are to be respected and obeyed Apostolic authority: Church leadership means following the disciples

Activity Summary: Luke Luke implements a new name for the disciples: the Apostles The term Apostle is reserved ONLY for the twelve Clearly shows the apostles are the era of the Church and they possess the Holy Spirit