Disciple in Matthew

Matthew presents the disciples as those who get their instruction from Jesus, the teacher. Just like Moses, Jesus ascends the mountain (Matthew 5:1), to teach his disciples from there.

There is a clearly separate group of twelve disciples, the apostles, who have a special commission. They are given the power to drive out impure spirits and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1–11:1). Even these privileged disciples, however, must follow a long course of instruction. It is only at the end of the Gospel that they are permitted to pass on Jesus’ teachings to all peoples (Matthew 28:16-20).