John The Baptist’s Disciples

Excerpt

Two of John the Baptist’s disciples were present with him; one of these was Andrew (verse 40), but the other is not definitely known. All four Gospels agree that John the Baptist had a group of close followers, called disciples. He taught them specific prayers (Luke11.1; compare 5.33), and they had their own rules for fasting (Mark2.18).

Terms for disciples are normally of two types: the first based on the meaning of “learning” or “being taught”; the second based on the concept of “following,” “being associated with.” or “being an adherent of.” It is important in such a context to be able to use exactly the same term for the disciples of John as for those of Jesus, even though the Greek term often rendered

“disciples” must be translated in some portions of Acts as “believers.” Though an expression based on the concept of “learning” or “being taught” is often useful, it may suggest a kind of classroom relationship between teacher and pupil. More

Newman, Barclay Moon, and Eugene Albert Nida. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. New York: United Bible Societies, 1993. Print. UBS Handbook Series.