500, 12 and 3. What is the significance of these numbers? They represent the different number of people in the various groups that Jesus taught on a regular basis. The most familiar group is Jesus' 12 disciples. 12 people that the Bible records Jesus choosing specifically - to be the people he taught more closely and also share His life more intimately with. And then there were the 3. From within the group of His 12 disciples, Jesus chose 3 to experience things the other 9 wouldn't. Why? What was the result?