Weaknesses of the Disciples in the Gospels
The Gospels portray Jesus' disciples as frequently exhibiting human weaknesses, despite their close proximity to Christ and their calling to spread his message [6]. These weaknesses are evident in various aspects of their character and actions.
One recurring weakness was their lack of faith and understanding. Even after witnessing numerous miracles, such as the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples struggled to grasp Jesus' divine power and authority [10]. Mark's Gospel notes their "dullness" and "hard hearts" following the miracle of the loaves, indicating a persistent failure to comprehend Jesus' identity and mission [7]. Jesus himself sometimes expressed compassion for those "weak in faith" [1].
The disciples also demonstrated a lack of meekness and humility. On one occasion, they rebuked parents who brought their children to Jesus for a blessing, prompting Jesus to correct them [2]. This incident highlights a tendency towards self-importance or a misunderstanding of Jesus' inclusive nature, which contrasts with the meekness exemplified by Christ himself [3].
Furthermore, the disciples sometimes showed a lack of sincerity or a focus on outward appearances rather than inward purity. Some were criticized for eating with "defiled hands," meaning unwashed, which was a concern for ritual purity rather than genuine spiritual sincerity [4, 5].
Jesus prepared his disciples for future challenges, warning them about potential stumbling blocks that could cause them to abandon their faith [11]. The New Testament also speaks of weakness in a broader sense, referring to personal and bodily limitations, or even a humble demeanor in ministry [8, 9]. Paul, for instance, speaks of being "weak in him" (Christ), suggesting that weakness can be a condition through which God's power is manifested [12, 13]. This perspective suggests that while the disciples' weaknesses were real, they also served as a backdrop for the demonstration of divine strength.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
- Matthew “Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. -- Matthew 19:13”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Mark “Mark 7:2 (YLT) — and having seen certain of his disciples with defiled hands--that is, unwashed--eating bread, they found fault;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:52: 6:52 The account ends with a comment about the disciples’ dullness. It was not from lack of opportunity to believe in Jesus—they had witnessed the miracle of the loaves and many other miracles—but because their hearts were too hard, usually a quality of Jesus’ opponents (e.g., 3:5; see also 8:17, 21; 9:32). Later their hearts would be softened, and they would understand (Luke 24:44-49; John 12:16; 13:7).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:3: I--the preacher: as Co1 2:2 describes the subject, "Christ crucified," and Co1 2:4 the mode of preaching: "my speech . . . not with enticing words," "but in demonstration of the Spirit." weakness--personal and bodily (Co2 10:10; Co2 12:7, Co2 12:9; Gal 4:13). trembling--(compare Phi 2:12). Not personal fear, but a trembling anxiety to perform a duty; anxious conscientiousness, as proved by the contrast to "eye service" (Eph 6:5) [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 2:3: And I was with you in weakness,.... Meaning either the weakness of his bodily presence, the contemptibleness of his voice, and the mean figure he made as a preacher among them, both with respect to the matter and manner of his ministry in the eyes of many; or his lowly and humble deportment among them, not exerting the power and authority Christ had given him as an apostle; but choosing rather to work with his own hands, as he did at Corinth, to minister to his own necessities, and those of others; or the many persecutions which he endured there for the sake of ”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 4:39: 4:39-40 The disciples still lacked faith in Jesus (4:41), despite their numerous opportunities to experience his power and authority (1:21-34, 40-45; 2:1-12; 3:1-5).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 16:1: 16:1-2 Jesus had outlined the coming conflicts (15:18-25) so that the disciples would not abandon their faith (literally be caused to stumble). The greatest obstacle his disciples would face was to stumble and renounce their faith before their opponents (see Matt 23:34; Luke 6:22), especially during the dark days ahead (see John 12:35; 1 Jn 2:9-11).”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 13:4: though--omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; then translate, "For He was even crucified," &c. through weakness--Greek, "from weakness"; that is, His assumption of our weakness was the source, or necessary condition, from which the possibility of His crucifixion flowed (Heb 2:14; Phi 2:7-8). by--Greek, "from"; "owing to." the power of God--the Father (Rom 1:4; Rom 6:4; Eph 1:20). weak in him--that is, in virtue of our union with Him, and after His pattern, weakness predominates in us for a time (exhibited in our "infirmities" and we”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 1:25: foolishness of God--that is, God's plan of salvation which men deem "foolishness." weakness of God--Christ "crucified through weakness" (Co2 13:4, the great stumbling-block of the Jews), yet "living by the power of God." So He perfects strength out of the weakness of His servants (Co1 2:3; Co2 12:9).”