What were the occupations of the twelve disciples?
The Bible specifically mentions only five of the 12 disciples professions, with a majority of them being fishermen.
The Fishermen – Andrew, Peter, James and John
(Mathew 4:18) As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
(Mathew 4:21) Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,
Mathew The Tax Collector
(Mathew 9:9) As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Mathew earned a living as a tax collector before he became a disciple of Jesus. Being a tax collector, he was probably not a well liked individual.
Unknown Professions
Thomas and Bartholomew (Nathanael) – It is possible these two apostles had worked as fisherman prior to their time as followers of Jesus. We find them on a fishing trip with several other disciples when Jesus appeared to them at the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-3)
Judas Iscariot – We are not told what Judas did for a living before he was a disciple, but we do know he held the job as keeper of the disciple’s money, and as so he was a thief.
(John 12:6) Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it. BSB
Philip, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Thaddaeus
No information is given in the Bible as to what these men’s occupations were.
Follow THE BIBLE ANSWER on Facebook and Instagram!
