μαθητής (mathētēs)
mathētēs
disciple
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 252 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word mathētēs simply means a learner or pupil. It comes from the verb manthano, which means to learn. In the New Testament, it is used most often in Matthew, Mark, and John to describe those who follow Jesus. The term highlights the relationship between teacher and student, showing that discipleship is primarily about learning from a master.
The sources note a clear distinction between the mathētēs and the didaskalos (teacher). This contrast appears in passages like Matthew 10:24 and Luke 6:40, where the goal of the student is to become like their instructor. The word was also used for followers of John the Baptist, the Pharisees, and even Moses, indicating a general pattern of religious apprenticeship in the ancient world.
A significant shift occurs in the Book of Acts, where mathētēs begins to refer to Christians generally rather than just the inner circle of twelve. This change shows how the term evolved from describing specific students of a rabbi to identifying members of the early church. The word captures the idea that being a follower is an ongoing process of learning and imitation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mathētēs describes a learner or pupil who follows a teacher. In the New Testament, it moves beyond simple classroom instruction to describe a life of close association with Jesus. You are not just studying facts about Him; you are learning from His example and listening to His voice. This relationship requires trust, especially when storms arise or when the path seems unclear.
Discipleship is an ongoing process of becoming like your instructor. Jesus did not call students to remain distant observers but invited them into daily life. Whether in times of plenty or moments of fear, the goal is to grow in character and faith. This journey invites you to rest in the guidance of a Master who cares for your needs.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 252 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- disciples213×
- disciple14×
- the disciples11×
- disciples;7×
- disciples.6×
- disciple.5×
- a disciple5×
- disciples,3×
- of disciples1×
- of a disciple,1×
- disciple;1×
- a disciple.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μαθηταὶ95×
- μαθητῶν43×
- μαθηταῖς39×
- μαθητὰς36×
- μαθητὴς14×
- μαθηταί9×
- μαθητής.3×
- μαθητὴν3×
- μαθηταῖς·3×
- μαθηταί·3×
- μαθητῶν,2×
- μαθητής.¶2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:24
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
This verse establishes that a disciple’s identity is defined by their connection to the teacher, not by status or power.
-
Matthew 8:25
The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
Here the disciples show their dependence on Jesus during a crisis, highlighting that learning involves trusting Him in fear.
-
Matthew 13:10
The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
The disciples ask for deeper understanding of parables, showing that true learners seek to grasp spiritual truths.
-
Matthew 5:1
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
This scene sets the stage for the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches His followers about the nature of the kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word mathētēs mean?
How is a disciple different from a student?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (252 verses across 5 books)
Matthew 72 verses
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
Matthew 8:21Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”
Matthew 8:23When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Matthew 8:25The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
Matthew 9:10As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
Matthew 9:11When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Matthew 9:14Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
Matthew 9:19Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples.
Matthew 9:37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Matthew 10:1He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal…
Matthew 10:24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
Matthew 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the…
Matthew 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…
Matthew 11:1When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Matthew 11:2Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
Matthew 12:1At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck…
Matthew 12:2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:49He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!
Matthew 13:10The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
Matthew 13:36Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the…
Matthew 14:12His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Matthew 14:15When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send…
Matthew 14:19He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to…
Matthew 14:22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the…
Matthew 14:26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.
Matthew 15:2“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Matthew 15:12Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
Matthew 15:23But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
Matthew 15:32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now…
Matthew 15:33The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
Matthew 15:36and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples…
Matthew 16:5The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread.
Matthew 16:13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the…
Matthew 16:20Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 16:21From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…
Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and…
Matthew 17:6When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
Matthew 17:10His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Matthew 17:13Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
Matthew 17:16So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
Matthew 17:19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
Matthew 18:1In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Matthew 19:10His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
Matthew 19:13Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:23Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with…
Matthew 19:25When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
Matthew 20:17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
Matthew 21:1When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Matthew 21:6The disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them,
Matthew 21:20When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
Matthew 22:16They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach…
Matthew 23:1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,
Matthew 24:1Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the…
Matthew 24:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?…
Matthew 26:1When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,
Matthew 26:8But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
Matthew 26:17Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare…
Matthew 26:18He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the…
Matthew 26:19The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
Matthew 26:20Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
Matthew 26:26As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…
Matthew 26:35Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.
Matthew 26:36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and…
Matthew 26:40He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
Matthew 26:45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and…
Matthew 26:56But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and…
Matthew 27:64Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal…
Matthew 28:7Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you…
Matthew 28:8They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
Matthew 28:9As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and…
Matthew 28:13saying, “Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept.
Matthew 28:16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.