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The Greek word for “apostle” is not used outside the NT in the same sense as it is in the NT. It is derived from the verb “to send” and is at home in the language of the sea meaning a particular “ship” or “group of ships,” a “marine expedition” or “the leader” of such. Its usage is almost always impersonal and thoroughly passive. There is no hint of personal initiative or authorization, merely the connotation of something being sent. Later papyri use the word to mean “bill” or “invoice” or even a “passport,” continuing to reflect the vocabulary of maritime affairs.
DISCIPLE Someone who follows another person or another way of life and who submits himself to the discipline (teaching) of that leader or way. In the Bible the term “disciple” is found almost exclusively in the Gospels and the book of Acts, the only exceptions being Isaiah 8:16 and less directly Isaiah 50:4 and 54:13, where the same Hebrew word is translated “learned” and “taught,” respectively. Yet clearly wherever there is a teacher and those taught, the idea of discipleship is present.
The Hebrew word for a disciple is Talmid
Therefore the 12 would have been referred to as a Talmidim
In the ancient world, it was not a disciple who signed up for a particular rabbi, but the other way around. When a rabbi could see a promising student as a possible talmid, only then would the rabbi himself issue the call. Those who accepted the call would enter into a time of concerted apprenticeship with their rabbi.
This was not modeled after the Greek structure of learning, which was primarily concerned with transmitting information. The Jewish model of learning was not just transferring of information but more of a transformation of life. That is why the talmid would also live closely with his rabbi—so that spiritual lessons would be observed in daily action, not just written on a school blackboard.
In the Jewish world, it is said that a shaliach is in fact “equal to the sender himself” (Tractate Berchot 34). In other words, a shaliach/apostle was not just sent out but was actually considered a direct representative of the one who sent him. Such a person has the authority of the sender. Thus, the term shaliach/apostle is very strong and in this context illustrates that Yeshua was designating these twelve Jewish men to be his direct representatives. It is little wonder that Rabbi Sha’ul would later appeal to this authority in many of his apostolic letters to the Messianic believers (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:1–2). It is this strong term that is used to describe the twelve closest followers of Yeshua.
Who were Jesus’ Tamidim?
This title was not meant to convey that he was merely a zealous person, but that he actually belonged to the first-century political party known by that name. The Zealots espoused the violent overthrow of their Roman occupiers, even to the point of murder and death.
