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The Catechism in Questions & Answers

159. Which of the disciples were especially close to Jesus?

The twelve Apostles were especially close to Jesus and He had a special relationship of trust with them:

  • When other disciples failed to understand Jesus and stopped following Him, the Apostles remained with Him (cf. John 6: 66-69).
  • Only the Apostles were with Him when He instituted Holy Communion (cf. Luke 22: 14 et seq.).
  • By washing their feet, Jesus gave the Apostles an example of humble service (cf. John 13: 4 et seq.).
  • It was to the Apostles that He addressed the farewell discourses recorded in John 13-16 before His death, and it was to them that He promised the Holy Spirit.
  • It was to the Apostles that He gave the promise of His return (cf. John 14: 3).
  • It was to the Apostles that He showed Himself repeatedly after His resurrection (cf. Acts 1: 2-3).
  • It was to the Apostles that He, prior to His ascension, gave the commandment: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19, 20).

“To [them] He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts 1: 3
“[Jesus] rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. [...] ‘For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you’.”
John 13: 4-5, 15