I often find myself wondering what it’d be like to stroll alongside Jesus, see Him heal the blind, and listen to His words right as they leave His lips. There were real people, everyday folk, who got to experience that – but who were they exactly? Apostles, multitudes, heck, even those who sorta followed from afar, they all feature in the biblical accounts that show what it really means to choose Jesus, and how their stories – imperfect, often messy – can be some sort of guide for us today too, I think.
Top 5 Bible Verses About Who Followed Jesus In The Bible
Personally, I’ve always been curious about this topic, and the Bible’s got some pretty insightful verses that shed some light on it. I mean, if you wanna know more, these are like, the go-to passages. They give us the lowdown, and some much-needed context too – helps me make sense of it all, you know?
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The First Followers of Jesus
The Apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, and John
My memories of decidin to follow Jesus is still pretty vivid, it’s a moment thats kinda etched in my brain, like when you experience somethin life-changin, and you know you aint never goin back, kinda like them apostles, droppin they nets and all.
The Bible says,
“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-19, KJV).
It’s like, I always come back to this verse, and I’m thinkin, wow, them guys, Peter and Andrew, they was pretty brave, or maybe just crazy, I dont know, but they left everythin behind, and it makes me wonder, would I do the same?
The way Jesus called the apostles, it’s all like a big puzzle, where every piece fits, and you see how he choose each one, like James and John, they was brothers, and they was mendin they nets, when Jesus called them, it’s pretty amazin.
I got them moments, you know, when I feel like I’m not doin enough, or I’m just not good enough, but then I’m remindin myself, them apostles, they was just regular people, with regular jobs, and they done some pretty extraoridary things, when they followed Jesus, so thats kinda inspiring, I guess.
The Calling of the Twelve Apostles
The story of the twelve apostles, it’s like, you know when you got a recipe, and you put all the ingredients together, and you get somethin amazin, thats what Jesus did, he took these unlikely guys, with they different backgrounds, and skills, and he made them into this team, that changed the world, pretty cool, if you ask me.
The Bible says,
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1, KJV).
It’s like, when you follow Jesus, you aint just followin a person, you followin a purpose, and thats to make a difference, to bring hope, and healin to them around you, it’s a pretty big deal, if you think about it.
The Role of the Apostles in Jesus’ Ministry
The apostles, they played a crucial role, in Jesus’ ministry, it’s like, they was the wheels, and Jesus was the driver, guidin them, and empowerin them, to do great things, and without them, nothin woulda happened, I reckon.
I have them moments, when I feel overwhelmed, and I dont know what to do, but then I’m thinkin about the apostles, and how they faced they challenges, and they kept goin, even when it was hard, and thats somethin I can learn from, I guess.
As the famous quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”, and I think thats what the apostles experienced, they had to die to they old selves, and be born again, into this new life, of followin Jesus, it’s a pretty deep thing, if you think about it.
Other Key Followers of Jesus
Mary Magdalene and other female followers
I’m sat here thinking about them lot who followed Jesus in the Bible, and Mary Magdalene and them other women, they had a right big impact on his ministry, innit.
The Bible says,
“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils” (Luke 8:2, KJV).
It’s like, this verse is really stood out to me, cos it shows how Jesus’ love and that, it can change people’s lifes, like Mary’s, and it makes me wonder how I can, you know, share that with others, yeah.
My mum and nan, they’re always going on about faith and that, just like Mary Magdalene, and it’s pretty inspiring, to be honest, I reckon.
The disciples: Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew
So, the disciples, like Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew, they were well important in spreading Jesus’ teachings and all that, ain’t they.
As the famous quotation by Mahatma Gandhi goes, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and these disciples, they were like, totally about that, you feel me.
The Bible says,
“Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29, KJV).
This verse, it’s got me thinking, like, faith isn’t just about what you can see and that, it’s about, you know, trusting in something more, if you know what I mean.
The significance of these followers in Jesus’ ministry
I was thinking, all them people who followed Jesus, like Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and whatnot, they all played a pretty big role in his ministry, didn’t they.
There’s them organisations, like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), they go on about how important it is to have a community and that, in the Christian faith, don’t they.
It’s like, the stories of these followers, they’re a right good reminder, we’re all part of something bigger, and our experiences and perspectives, they’re all important, yeah.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall,” and them followers of Jesus, they’re like, the ultimate example of getting back up, innit.
The Multitudes Who Followed Jesus
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The Crowds Who Followed Jesus for Healing and Teaching
I’m thinking about Jesus life, and it’s crazy how many people followed him, so I’m like, who followed Jesus in the Bible?
The crowds that went to see Jesus were kinda like a big storm, you know, they just kept coming and coming, searching for healing, teaching, and redemption and stuff.
They really loved what he had to say, all about hope and love and being saved, it was like they was attracted to it or somethin.
The Bible says,
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35, KJV).
This verse, it’s like a picture in my mind, of Jesus traveling everywhere, teaching people and healing them, it’s pretty cool.
The Feeding of the 5,000 and Other Miracles
So like, one time Jesus did this really cool thing, he fed a bunch of people, like 5,000 of them, with just a few loaves of bread and some fish, it’s crazy.
This just shows how powerful Jesus is, and how he can provide for us, like he’s the one who gives us what we need, you know?
As someone said, “our hearts are restless, till we find rest in him” or somethin like that, so people follow Jesus cuz they’re searching for somethin, for comfort and guidance and all that.
The Role of the Multitudes in Jesus’ Ministry
All the people that followed Jesus, they played a big part in what he did, they witnessed all the cool things he did, and they helped spread his teachings.
They was like a big ol’ mix of people, from all different places, with different stories and struggles, but they all came together cuz of Jesus.
Places like the church, and Jerusalem, and Galilee, they all mattered, and the people who followed Jesus, they was the ones who made it all happen, they was the support system, if you will.
The church, it’s still doin it’s thing, carryin on Jesus’ legacy, spreadin the word, and all that, through different groups and programs, like the world council of churches, and the vatican, and stuff.
Those Who Followed Jesus at a Distance
Nicodemus and other secret followers
me, i often finds myself wondering whats it like to of walked with Jesus, like to see the miracles and stuff, it would of been amazing.
As i sit here thinkin about the peoples lives who followed Jesus in the bible, i gets struck by how different everyones experiences was, and they all had they’re own reasons for followin him.
Take Nicodemus for instance, he was a pharisee who snuck around to go see Jesus at nite, didnt want nobody to know, but at the same time he were really interested in what Jesus had to say.
The Bible says,
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:1-2, KJV).
This thing with Nicodemus, it makes me think that even peoples who seems really far from god can still be lookin for him, and jesus, he’s always willin to meet us where we is at, you know.
The other day i were thinkin about this quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and i realized that for nicodemus, that change started with him sneakin around to go see jesus.
The Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner
there were this other guy, a pharisee, who invites jesus to dinner, probly thinkin he could discredits him in front of every body.
but jesus, he flips the script, uses the chance to teach about bein humble and the kingdom of god, and i thinks thats pretty cool.
this story, it shows us how there were two kinds of peoples, the ones who followed jesus from afar, like nicodemus, and the ones who tries to undermines his message, and thats still happens today.
my friend tells me that the church, as a organization, we can learn from these stories, and realizes that not every body who comes to our stuff is necessarily a big fan of jesus.
The significance of these followers in Jesus’ ministry
the stories of nicodemus and the pharisee who invites jesus to dinner, it reminds us that jesus’ thing, his ministry, were not just about the peoples who follows him around every where, but also about the ones who follows him from a distance.
them peoples, like the groups they were part of, like the sanhedrin, they plays a big role in shapin jesus’ message and how he does things.
when i thinks about my own life, and my walk with god, i gets encouraged to remembers that followin jesus, its not always a easy thing to do, but its somethin we can do, one step at a time, like them peoples who walks with jesus on the road to emmaus.
Those Who Stopped Following Jesus
The Rich Young Ruler
I gotta think alot about them people who stopped following Jesus, like recently I was reading about the rich young ruler, who is mentioned in them books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke – it’s pretty crazy.
The rich young ruler, he’s like this significant figure in the Bible, right, ’cause he’s all about strugglin’ with worldly possessions and spiritual devotion, which is somethin’ I think we all go through.
As the Bible says,
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21, KJV).
This verse, it shows me that Jesus’ teachings, they wasn’t just about followin’ rules, but about like, giving our lives to Him, you know, and that’s a big deal.
Me personally, I think the rich young ruler’s decision to turn back, it’s like a reminder that followin’ Jesus, it’s not just some emotional high, but it’s about bein’ committed and makin’ sacrifices, long-term.
The Disciples Who Turned Back After Jesus’ Hard Teachings
There’s this other group of people, who stopped followin’ Jesus, they’re like the disciples who turned back after Jesus’ hard teachings, and you can find that in the book of John, I beleive.
These disciples, they probally thought they was gettin’ in on somethin’ that’d bring ’em power and prosperity, but Jesus’ teachings, like about eatin’ His flesh and drinkin’ His blood, that was just to much for ’em.
As Jesus said,
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63, KJV).
This verse, it highlights the spiritual side of Jesus’ teachings, which, honestly, can be kinda hard to wrap your head around.
It’s pretty clear, that a lot of Jesus’ disciples, they turned back after this teachin’, which just goes to show, that followin’ Him, it ain’t always easy, and we gotta be willin’ to trust in His words, even when they’re hard to understand, or don’t make sense.
The Significance of These Individuals in Jesus’ Ministry
Them people who stopped followin’ Jesus, like the rich young ruler and them disciples who turned back, they’re pretty significant in Jesus’ ministry, ’cause they remind us, that followin’ Him, it’s not somethin’ you just do once, it’s like a daily thing.
As C.S. Lewis, this famus Christian writer, he once said, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
This quote, it really resonates with me, ’cause it shows, that followin’ Jesus, it’s like, all or nothin’, you can’t just be kinda sorta into it.
In the city, Jerusalem, where Jesus spent alot of His time, it’s like, the ultimate example of His sacrifice and devotion to us, and it’s a reminder, that our decision to follow Him, it’s got consequences, that’ll last forever, or so I’ve been told.
The Characteristics of Those Who Followed Jesus
Faith and trust in Jesus
I’m sittin here thinkin about them people who followed Jesus back in the day, and what Strike’s me is they had this crazy faith and trust in Him – like they got some kinda inner compass or somethin.
The Bible says,
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20, KJV).
It’s like, this verse is tellin me even a tiny bit of faith can do big things, you know? and I’m thinkin about all them people like Peter, who just up and left his job to follow Jesus, that’s some serious dedication right there, kinda like them folks at Compassion International, they just trusted God to provide for their mission.
I find myself wonderin what it’d be like to have that kinda faith, just be able to trust God no matter what, like my buddy who’s always sayin “let go and let God”.
A willingness to leave everything behind
So I’m reflectin on the people who followed Jesus, and I’m reminded of this one dude, the rich young ruler, who Jesus asked to give up all his money and stuff, kinda like tradin in a mercedes for a mule.
The Bible says,
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30, KJV).
C.S. Lewis, he said somethin like “you aren’t a body, you’re a soul, you got a body” and I’m thinkin that’s what Jesus meant, like, the rich young ruler had to let go of all them earthly things, you feel me? it’s tough to let go of the familiar, but I reckon that’s what it means to really follow Jesus, like the apostle Paul, he gave up all his prestige and status to spread the word.
The importance of perseverance and commitment in following Jesus
Followin Jesus, it ain’t no easy thing, it’s like, a long haul, you know? it takes perseverance and commitment, like runnin a marathon without no water, that’s just crazy talk.
The Bible says,
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13, KJV).
This verse, it’s like, remindin me I ain’t alone, God’s always with me, guiding me and whatnot, like a coach or somethin, and I’m thinkin, when it gets tough, the tough get goin, that’s what my grandma used to say, and I reckon it’s especially true when it comes to followin Jesus, like them folks at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, they been spreadin the gospel for centuries, that’s some serious commitment right there.
What Do You Think?
What’s your response to this Bible verse? I’d love to hear your thoughts—comment below!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Who Followed Jesus In The Bible
Who were the 12 apostles of Jesus?
To be honest, I’ve always been kinda curious about the guys who hung out with Jesus the most – you know, the apostles. So, there’s Simon Peter, and his bro Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas (the doubter), Matthew (the tax guy), James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot (love that name), and Judas… who, well, we all know what he did. Then there’s Matthias, the new guy who filled Judas’ spot.
What were the names of the women who followed Jesus in the Bible?
Personally, I get all fired up thinking about Mary Magdalene – she was super brave, if you ask me. Then there’s Joanna, and Susanna too… all of ’em were pretty awesome, and really supported Jesus’ ministry. I mean, can you imagine being in their shoes?
Who were the 72 disciples sent out by Jesus in the Bible?
I was reading Luke 10 the other day, and I stumbled upon this part where Jesus sends out a bunch of his followers – 72, to be exact. I think what’s really cool is that they weren’t the “main guys”, you know, the apostles… just regular folks who wanted to help spread the love. Their job was to kinda prep the towns for Jesus’ arrival, and just show people God’s love in action, which is pretty beautiful, if you ask me.
Matt Turner
I’m Matt, and I love breaking down Bible verses in a way that’s easy to understand and apply to everyday life. My goal is to help you connect with God’s Word and find practical ways to live it out. Whether you’re new to the Bible or just looking for some fresh insights, I’m here to walk with you and share what I’ve learned along the way.