Template:Poor apostles
Were the apostles poor
We addressed the question "Was Jesus rich?" But what about the apostles?
Peter, along with Andrew, John and James, were fishermen.
Fishing was a major occupation for Galileans but a poor fisherman would only have a net. That does not seem to be the case with the apostles. They had a large boat and nets that required several men to manage. They seem to have more than one boat. [1]. Peter also had a large house and he had a family.[2] These would make him upper middle class at that time.
Tax collectors were well off. They needed to have considerable education and specific training and needed to be trustworthy from an honorable family. Matthew was a tax collector.[3]
Luke was an educated healer or what we might call a doctor.[4] Luke 8:3
Besides being a disciple of Jesus and providing a tomb for the body of Jesus,[5] according to the Talmud, Joseph of Arimathea[6] was the younger brother of Joachim the father of Mary and therefore Jesus' Great uncle.[7] Joseph of Arimathea, son of Matthat (Mathat) ben Levi of Arimathea, was also the "Nobilis Decurio" (Minister of Mines) of the Roman Empire, among other titles, as stated by Jerome and earlier sources. This would have meant he was charged with overseeing the mining operations of the Roman Empire and would have been one of the richest men in the known world. The Patriarch of Constantinople wrote that Joseph was one of the Seventy Apostles appointed in Luke 10. While he was a member of the original Sanhedrin Jesus as king could appoint his own Sanhedrin.
Paul the Apostle came from an area where tent making was a major trade. His Father was wealthy enough to provide him with the best education and his stepfather was also wealthy and a prominent man in Rome. He joined Aquila and Priscilla in a tent-making enterprise which more than likely provided employment for many people because he was of “the same trade” (Acts 18:1–3).
But in another sense, the apostles were poor because they were to give up their personal estates and own "All things common".- ↑ Luke 5:6-7
- ↑ Mark 1:29–30
- ↑ Matthew 9:9
- ↑ Colossians 4:14
- ↑ Matthew 27:57 ¶ When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
- ↑ Son of Matthat Son of Levi ben Melchi and Esthra / Estha
- Husband of Anna bat Simon, of Arimathea and Alyuba bat Eléazar
- Father of bet Joseph
- Brother of Saint Joachim and Bianca
- Half brother of JoAnna of Arimathea; Heli ben Matat and Gjora
- ↑ George F. Jowett, "The Drama of the Lost Disciples", (p.18). The "Harlein Manuscripts" (38-59f, 1936) appears to support this claims.
