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μαθητής (mathētēs)

mathētēs

disciple

G3101 · Greek · New Testament · 252 verses

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?

Mathētēs translates to disciple, learner, or pupil. It refers to someone who is being taught by a master and seeks to imitate their life and teachings.

How is a disciple different from a student?

While a student may only engage with information academically, a disciple in the biblical sense follows a teacher closely. This involves personal relationship, obedience, and imitation of the master’s character.

Where does this word appear most often?

It appears frequently in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John to describe those who followed Jesus. In Acts, it begins to refer more broadly to all early Christians.

Every Occurrence (252 verses across 5 books)

Matthew 72 verses
Matthew 5:1

Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

Matthew 8:21

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

Matthew 8:23

When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.

Matthew 8:25

The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”

Matthew 9:10

As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

Matthew 9:11

When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 9:14

Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

Matthew 9:19

Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples.

Matthew 9:37

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Matthew 10:1

He 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 10:25

It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the…

Matthew 10:42

Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…

Matthew 11:1

When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Matthew 11:2

Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

Matthew 12:1

At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck…

Matthew 12:2

But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

Matthew 12:49

He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!

Matthew 13:10

The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

Matthew 13:36

Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the…

Matthew 14:12

His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Matthew 14:15

When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send…

Matthew 14:19

He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to…

Matthew 14:22

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the…

Matthew 14:26

When 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 15:12

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

Matthew 15:23

But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”

Matthew 15:32

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now…

Matthew 15:33

The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”

Matthew 15:36

and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples…

Matthew 16:5

The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread.

Matthew 16:13

Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the…

Matthew 16:20

Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:21

From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and…

Matthew 17:6

When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.

Matthew 17:10

His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Matthew 17:13

Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.

Matthew 17:16

So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”

Matthew 17:19

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”

Matthew 18:1

In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Matthew 19:10

His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”

Matthew 19:13

Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

Matthew 19:23

Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with…

Matthew 19:25

When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

Matthew 20:17

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,

Matthew 21:1

When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Matthew 21:6

The disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them,

Matthew 21:20

When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”

Matthew 22:16

They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach…

Matthew 23:1

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,

Matthew 24:1

Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the…

Matthew 24:3

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?…

Matthew 26:1

When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,

Matthew 26:8

But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?

Matthew 26:17

Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare…

Matthew 26:18

He 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 26:19

The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.

Matthew 26:20

Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

Matthew 26:26

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…

Matthew 26:35

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.

Matthew 26:36

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and…

Matthew 26:40

He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?

Matthew 26:45

Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and…

Matthew 26:56

But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and…

Matthew 27:64

Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal…

Matthew 28:7

Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you…

Matthew 28:8

They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

Matthew 28:9

As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and…

Matthew 28:13

saying, “Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept.

Matthew 28:16

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.

Mark 42 verses
Luke 37 verses
John 74 verses
Acts 27 verses