What did the disciples hope to gain from Jesus?

Answer 1

Following the death of Alexander the great, the Macedonian Empire broke into four (soon to be three) empires. The Seleucid Empire ruled the Jews, and a Jewish leader (name unremembered) came close to pushing them out and reestablishing Israel as as autonomous nation. It is most probable that the Jews of Jesus' time expected their messiah to be another military leader and push the Romans out. Instead Jesus preached love for the Romans and all people.

Answer 2

An honest study of the Scriptures reveals that the disciples weren't "religious" people as we think of the way people of different denominations of modern professing Christianity act today.

When we stop and realize that they all abandoned Him, terrorized with utter fear and dread of the Jews [John 20:19] for the sake of their own lives when He was arrested; and then after Pentecost were unafraid and bold in coming forth with their testimonies and witnessing - we can see that for the three and a half years that they followed Christ around Judea, seeing His miracles and being taught by Him, that they were just as carnal minded and unconverted as people can be.

So, what drew them to Him?

First of all, they were Israelites who were reared in the writings of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms. They were aware of the timing of the prophecies of Daniel's dream of the four Beasts in Daniel's chapter 7; whose "fourth Beast" power [fourth world ruling government system of men; which was ROME] was extant on the earth. Their nation was OCCUPIED by and held sway under that "Beast" power. And they knew of Daniel's prophecy that GOD'S POWER would destroy that last Beast, and usher in the RESTORATION OF THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL!

It was the same prophetic meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the "Metallic Man" in Daniel's chapter 2; with its composition of the four different "metals" of the colossus: GOLD for the Babylonian Empire, SILVER for the Persian Empire, BRASS for the Grecian Empire, and IRON for the Roman Empire.

The disciples... and ALL OF JUDEA... knew that these prophecies were coming to fruition. And that GOD WAS DUE, SOON, TO RESTORE THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL. All of the people were poised and waiting for the appearance of the "MESSIAH"... the Anointed One who would come and KICK OUT THE ROMANS and restore [in their thinking, at least] Israel's autonomous rule to their peoples.

And to give them further confidence that the "Christ" [Messiah] would soon come: JOHN THE BAPTIST's ministry was fulfilling another prophecy among them:

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isa.40:3)

"Behold, I WILL SEND YOU Elijah the prophet BEFORE THE COMING of the Great and Dreadful DAY OF THE LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (Mal.4:5-6)

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea... For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias [Isaiah], saying, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make His paths straight." (Matt.3:3)

John the Baptist had THOUSANDS of followers [disciples] fervently anticipating the Messiah's arrival and the SALVATION of their nation! And many of them were to become hangers-on and disciples of Christ [the Bible mentions about 120 people following Him at various times throughout His ministry - Acts 1:15: and not just "the twelve"].

In other words... all of Judea was LITERALLY looking for the Messiah to appear... and the twelve disciples were among the expectant throng.

It began for the disciples when John the Baptist IDENTIFIED the mysterious Messiah to two of his disciples one day:

"...John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, 'Behold the Lamb of God... I saw, and bare record that THIS IS THE SON OF GOD.'" (John 1:29-34)

"...the next day after John stood, and TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, 'Behold, THE LAMB OF GOD!'

And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, 'What seek ye?'

They said unto Him, 'Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?'

He saith unto them, 'Come and see...'" (verses 35-39).

"ONE OF THE TWO which heard John speak, and followed Him [one of John's disciples], was Andrew, SIMON PETER'S BROTHER. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, 'WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAS,' which is, being interpreted, THE CHRIST. And he brought him to Jesus..." (verses 40-42).

What an amazing, mind-blowing thing to say, standing here on planet earth in their "immediate time frame" of their "here-and-now," informing your brother about finding the Messiah! As opposed to our calloused view of the Scriptures as a distant, disconnected, unreal perspective of "there-and-then."

And so it began for the twelve as Jesus took them under His wing... even as more than a hundred at a time would be following in their wake... that their "expectations" of Jesus began to take shape. In His "calling them to follow Him," and seeing His miracles, and hearing His PERSONAL, INTIMATE Words to them; they began to grasp something of WHAT THEY MIGHT GAIN from Him.

Try to forget the hundreds of impressions, and ideas and notions and various teachings of the hundreds of denominations of modern professing Christianity... and try to put yourself in the disciples' "sandals!" Try and think in terms of you being ONE OF THEM living in THEIR "here-and-now"... not "then-and-there."

None of them were thinking "RELIGIOUS" thoughts! They were expecting THE POLITICAL and MILITARY LIBERATION OF THEIR OCCUPIED NATION from the clutches of ROME: Daniel's FOURTH BEAST! They were [and you ARE, putting yourself into the perspective of THEIR here-and-now] expecting to WITNESS, PERSONALLY, the FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECIES OF GOD!

So, what was Jesus saying to them... and to everyone else? What did He talk about, CONSTANTLY? Of course, He talked about the advent of God's GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER!

"...Jesus came into Galilee, PREACHING the GOSPEL [Good News] of the KINGDOM OF GOD, and saying, 'The TIME IS FULFILLED, and the KINGDOM OF GOD is AT HAND: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the GOSPEL [Good News].'" (Mark 1:14-15)

And what did the disciples hope to GAIN from this "Good News?" They were EXPECTING to GAIN GROUND-FLOOR RULING CABINET POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY WITHIN GOD'S KINGDOM!

For just a moment, as you stand there in front of Jesus with the other disciples in THEIR and YOUR "here-and-now"... LISTEN to what Jesus is PROMISING YOU!

"...Peter... said unto Him, 'Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; WHAT SHALL WE HAVE THEREFORE?'

And Jesus said unto them, 'Verily [TRULY] I say unto you, That YE WHICH HAVE FOLLOWED ME, in the regeneration[in the coming RESURRECTION; your REBIRTH from mortal to IMMORTAL into God's Family, as God's future IMMORTAL CHILDREN] when the Son of Man SHALL SIT IN THE THRONE of His Glory, YE ALSO SHALL SIT UPON TWELVE THRONES, JUDGING the twelve tribes of Israel.'" (Matt.19:27-28)

THAT'S what the disciples were hoping to GAIN from Jesus. THE POWER and AUTHORITY OF GOD to RULE THE KINGDOM WITH HIM! Just as the prophecies promised [the fulfillment of which they all knew and believed and expected]:

"But the saints of the Most High SHALL TAKE THE KINGDOM, and POSSESS THE KINGDOM FOR EVER, even FOR EVER and EVER." (Dan.7:18)

The hundreds of deceived denominations of modern professing Christianity, as well as all the other false religions in this world, all talk of "going to some kind of heaven" or other place of peace and serenity... because THAT'S WHERE SATAN WANTS TO GO: not for any sort of peace and serenity; but to BE GOD!

"For THOU HAST SAID in THINE HEART, I will ASCEND INTO HEAVEN, I will EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE the stars[angels - see Rev.1:20] OF GOD..." (Isa.14:13).

But the GOSPEL [Good News] of God is that MAN'S [errant, Satan-designed, Satan-guided, Satan-owned - see Luke 4:5-6] GOVERNMENTS on this earth are COMING TO AN END.

The disciples weren't looking to GO TO HEAVEN! They were looking for JOBS within God's Kingdom RIGHT HERE ON EARTH! They were as carnal minded as anyone else... and they had much to learn about what it takes to rule the coming Kingdom. They [and we; all of mankind] have to learn that in order to RULE... you first need to know how to SERVE!

"Blessed are those SERVANTS, whom the LORD when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and SERVE THEM. And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS." (Luke 12:37-38)

"When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, he doesn't just sit down and eat. He must first prepare his Master's meal and serve him his supper before eating his own. And the servant is not even thanked, because he is merely DOING WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO. In the same way, WHEN YOU OBEY ME you should say, 'We are not worthy of praise. We are SERVANTS who have SIMPLY DONE OUR DUTY.'" (Luke 17:7-10 NLT New Living Translation)

The disciples weren't thinking "religious thoughts" when they contemplated their roles as "kings" in God's Kingdom. They weren't considering the "SERVICE TO GOD" that they were expected to render unto Him. No, they were thinking of the POWER and AUTHORITY they could WIELD OVER OTHERS!

When they sat down for that "last" Passover "supper"... they felt that "THIS WAS IT!" This was the moment when Jesus would SET UP THE KINGDOM! But they weren't thinking "humble" Righteous thoughts of "service" and homage to God. No:

"...there was also A STRIFE among them, WHICH OF THEM SHOULD BE ACCOUNTED THE GREATEST." (Luke 22:24)

"And they began to ARGUE AMONG THEMSELVES as to WHO WOULD BE THE GREATEST IN THE COMING KINGDOM.

Jesus told them, 'In this world the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called 'friends of the people.' But AMONG YOU, those who are the greatest SHOULD TAKE THE LOWEST RANK, and THE LEADER SHOULD BE LIKE A SERVANT. Normally the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. BUT NOT HERE! For I AM YOUR SERVANT.

You have remained true to Me in My time of trial. And just as My Father has granted Me a Kingdom, I now GRANT YOU THE RIGHT to eat and drink at My table IN THAT KINGDOM. And YOU WILL SIT ON THRONES, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'" (Luke 22:24-30 NLT)

There is strife among the hundreds of denominations of modern professing Christianity... each one thinking their Jesus is BETTER than everyone else's.

Some believe this passage in the scriptures, and not that one. Others don't use the scriptures at all, but depend on their pastor's to "tell" them what the Bible says. Most don't read the Bible at all, much less, study it to know what it says.

The disciples at least KNEW what they were expecting from Jesus when He told them that they would RULE WITH HIM in the Kingdom. That's more than most modern professing Christians understand about what the Bible truly says.

For instance... what was the MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION the disciples thought to ask Jesus before He left? Did they ask Him what should be the NAME of their "religious denomination?" Did they ask Him "how high should the steeple be on the church building?" Did they ask Him if "pot luck dinners" were acceptable in church? Or "how high the hem" of women's skirts should be?

No:

"When the apostles were with Jesus, THEY KEPT ASKING HIM, 'LORD, ARE YOU GOING TO FREE ISRAEL NOW and RESTORE OUR KINGDOM?'" (Acts 1:6 NLT)

THAT'S what the disciples hoped to GAIN from Jesus. They thought in carnal minded terms of petty human pride and vanity [at least until they were converted and received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost].

Then they began to understand that all the bickering, warring, hate-filled nations and governments of this world NEED TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER... just as they needed to learn... as Jesus in the ensuing years TAUGHT THEM to do. They learned the Righteous ways of God, teaching others to do the same by their living example. And they will be among God's saints in the First Resurrection at Jesus' return with the Kingdom, who will RULE THE KINGDOM WITH CHRIST FOR A THOUSAND YEARS... teaching the nations of the world HOW TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER. How to Live Righteously.

"...I saw thrones, and the PEOPLE [of God] sitting on them had been GIVEN AUTHORITY to JUDGE..." (Rev.20:4 NLT)

"Do ye not know that THE SAINTS SHALL JUDGE THE WORLD?..." (I Cor.6:2)

"...They came to LIFE AGAIN, and THEY REIGNED WITH CHRIST FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. This is the FIRST RESURRECTION. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and Holy are those WHO SHARE IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION. For them the SECOND DEATH holds no power, but THEY WILL BE PRIESTS OF GOD and of CHRIST and WILL REIGN WITH HIM A THOUSAND YEARS." (Rev.20:4-6 NLT)

Satan-deceived modern professing Christianity [and all the other false religions in the world] knows little or nothing about this event coming on the world. But the disciples understood it; in spite of the fact that they didn't understand at first the depth of it. The scriptures are really crystal clear about it, if only man's Satan-blinded spirit could see the Truth written there. But all men will know and understand... when it's time for them to.

"...Thou [LORD Jesus]... hast MADE US unto our God [the Father] KINGS and PRIESTS: and WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH." (Rev.5:9-10)

There-and-then: Jesus spelled it all out for His disciples what they had to GAIN from Him. And when He returns with the Kingdom; they shall inherit their places in the Kingdom:

"When the Son of Man shall come in His Glory, and all the holy angels with Him, THEN shall He sit upon the throne of His Glory: ...then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, 'COME, YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM prepared for you FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD." (Matt.25:31-34)

Answer 3

The Jews tought that Jesus would free them from theroman power make himself king of the jrws. When they saw that this was not going to happen they plotted hisdeath.

Answer 4

Nothing, Jesus did what God promised, he had no need to do more.