How Old Were the Disciples?

The ages of the disciples are not explicitly stated in the Bible, but there are some clues that can help us estimate their ages. First, we know that Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry (Luke 3:23). Second, we know that most of the disciples were fishermen, and that fishing was a physically demanding job. This suggests that they were likely to be in their late teens or early 20s when they were called by Jesus.

There are a few exceptions to this general rule. For example, Peter was married (Matthew 8:14), which suggests that he was at least in his mid-20s. And John was the youngest of the disciples (John 13:23), so he may have been only in his late teens when he was called by Jesus.

Overall, it is likely that most of the disciples were in their late teens or early 20s when they were called by Jesus. This was a time of life when they were physically fit and able to withstand the rigors of Jesus' ministry. It was also a time of life when they were open to new ideas and experiences, which made them receptive to Jesus' message.

Table
  1. What Does the Bible Say About the Disciples' Ages?
  2. How Old Were the Disciples When They Died?

What Does the Bible Say About the Disciples' Ages?

The Bible does not explicitly state the ages of the disciples, but there are a few passages that can help us estimate their ages.

  • Luke 3:23 says that Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry.
  • Matthew 4:18-22 describes Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be his disciples. The passage does not mention their ages, but it does say that they were fishermen, which suggests that they were likely to be in their late teens or early 20s.
  • John 13:23 says that John was the youngest of the disciples. This suggests that he may have been only in his late teens when he was called by Jesus.

How Old Were the Disciples When They Died?

The Bible does not explicitly state how old the disciples were when they died, but there are a few traditions that have been passed down.

  • According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down in Rome during the reign of Nero. He is said to have been in his late 60s or early 70s at the time of his death.
  • According to tradition, Paul was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero. He is said to have been in his mid-60s at the time of his death.
  • According to tradition, John was exiled to the island of Patmos during the reign of Domitian. He is said to have died on the island in his late 90s.

These traditions are not necessarily reliable, but they do give us some idea of how old the disciples may have been when they died.

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