One of the most important areas of misunderstanding pertaining to the biblical revelation is the fact that a Christian is (or ought to be) a disciple of the Messiah. While all Christians claim to be disciples or “followers” of the Lord Yeshua (whom most call “Jesus”), the majority have absolutely no idea that to be a disciple, or a “follower,” is to be a student, or a pupil, of Our Lord.

In the first century Jewish thoughtform, to follow a rabbi or to enquire “as to where he [the rabbi] dwelt” meant simply enough “to become his student” and to “join his talmidim” (pupils) — to be taught and instructed by him. In fact, all scholars recognise that the terms disciple, follower, pupil, and student were all synonymous expressions. (For a more complete explanation, with accompanying Scripture references see the popular Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vol.1., 316).