How many followers did Jesus have during his lifetime?

Answer 1

Quite a few, actually. But most dropped out towards the end, and He asked the 12 who stuck with Him, "will you leave me as well?" Jesus likely had support among the Essenes and other radical groups. However, the radicals, who wanted to make revolution against Rome, were severely disappointed that Jesus was not a political revolutionary. In His statement, "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, but unto God that which is God's", plainly stated that He had no opposition to the authority of Rome. It was what was in one's heart that was important. So the radicals turned to another, a few year's later, Simon Bar Cochba, if memory serves. (But Google him anyway). The Roman general Titus eventually crucified almost all of the radicals when he sacked Jerusalem in 70AD.

Answer 2

Actually, it was only a handful of people mostly memebsr of his own family and a copule of outsiders. The Jesus movement was a fringe group in a largely Judaic society......there were other more widely recognized and established groups; someone already mentioned the Zealots, the Essenes, the Sadducheaus.

Even after his death the movement did not gain much momentum until much much later......

Answer 3

Well you must remember that Jesus fed 5,000 with only a couple fish and loaves of bread. So there must have been at least that many.
Thats from the Bible.
Check out
http://www.san.beck.org/GPJ6-JesusandChristians.html

Answer 4

500

Answer 5

A lot, if you believe the biblical accounts. Simon and his Zealots comprised a significant number in and of themselves.

Answer 6

this is a question without an answer! it is part of what makes Christianity a faith-based religion. without the faith developed through unanswered questions, there wouldn't be much need to trust in God.

Answer 7

Tens of thousands.

Answer 8

Only God knows. And you must remember. He is still alive, and still has followers.

Answer 9

thousands.