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Jesus’s Bachelors
The Disciples Were Most Likely Under The Age of 18
Jesus’ twelve disciples were probably young, most under the age of eighteen and some as young as 15. All were most likely bachelors, but for one.
There is no indicator in Scripture of a specific age for any disciple. So we look through the lens of historical context and clues derived from Scripture.
In the time of Jesus, a Jewish man received a wife after the age of 18. Peter was the only one known to have been married. In Matthew 8:14–15, we learn that Peter had a wife when Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Again, Scripturally, no other disciples’ wives are mentioned.
Education of That Time
Why are we to assume Jesus’ disciples were so young? The tradition of education of that time indicates it.
Education for the Jewish child concluded at 15.
For those bright (or wealthy) enough, higher education consisted of studying under a local rabbi. If they didn’t find a rabbi that accepted them as a student (much like a college entrance application), then they entered the workforce by their mid-teens.
Usually they apprenticed under their fathers and worked for the prosperity of the family.
