Good Morning and welcome to my Daily Scripture Word!

Today's question may seem simple, but take a look anyhow:

• How many Disciples were there really? 12, 13, 70, 72?

ANSWER: Okay, so at the first many of you will think this a simple question, but let me answer anyhow. The title “Disciple” is used in more than one manner in The Bible and this is what gives rise the different numbers.

• 12 Disciples. When we refer “the Disciples”, it is always a reference to the original 12 that Jesus called specifically. You can find these 12 named in Matthew 10 and Luke 6.
• 13 Disciples. This usually is a reference to Paul, but the reality is he is never actually called a Disciple, but an Apostle.
• 70 Disciples. This is a reference to the “other seventy” that Jesus sent out on one occasion, recorded in Luke 10.
• 72 Disciples. This was an interesting moment, because I had never heard of this one! Anyhow, it seems that most English Versions from the KJV backwards have “70”, with most modern versions having “72”. Interestingly enough, all Jewish translations stick with “70” as it is was common to have 70 elders – Exodus 24:1, Numbers 11:16.  The only 72’s being 5 references to people’s descendants in Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 2:3-4; Nehemiah 7:8-9; 11:19). With that in mind, 70 would be the correct number, as given in the old KJV.

I hope that answers your question.