The first pupils of Jesus were chosen from the ranks of the common people. They were humble, unlettered men, these fishers of Galilee; men unschooled in the learning and customs of the rabbis, but trained by the stern discipline of toil and hardship. They were men of native ability and of teachable spirit; men who could be instructed and molded for the Saviour's word. In the common walks of life there is many a toiler patiently treading the round of his daily tasks, unconscious of latent powers that, roused to action, would place him among the world's great leaders. Such were the men who were called by the Saviour to be His colaborers. And they had the advantage of three years' training by the greatest educator this world has ever known.

Jesu første disciple blev udvalgt fra det jævne folks rækker. De var ringe og ulærde mænd, disse fiskere fra Galilæa; mænd, der ikke var oplært i rabbinernes lærdom og skikke, men skolede gennem strengt arbejde og mange besværligheder. De var mennesker med medfødt dygtighed og et lærevilligt sind; mænd, der kunne lade sig belære og omforme til Frelserens gerning. Blandt den jævne befolkning findes der mange, som tålmodigt udfører deres daglige arbejde uden at ane noget om de slumrende evner, der, hvis de kom til udfoldelse, ville give dem plads blandt verdens store ledende mænd. Det var sådanne mennesker, der af Frelseren blev kaldet til at være hans medarbejdere. Og de fik den forrettighed i tre år at blive undervist af den største lærer, verden nogensinde har kendt.