1. Simon Peter: Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade, working alongside his brother Andrew on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. They were introduced to Jesus through John the Baptist and became among the earliest disciples.

2. Andrew: Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was also a fisherman. He first encountered Jesus through John the Baptist and then introduced his brother to him, becoming one of Jesus’ first disciples.

3. James, son of Zebedee: Along with his brother John, James was another fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. They were called by Jesus while mending their nets and left their father Zebedee to follow him.

4. John, son of Zebedee: John, the brother of James, was also a fisherman and was called by Jesus along with his brother. John later became known as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

5. Philip: Philip hailed from the town of Bethsaida and was called by Jesus while he was in Galilee. Philip, in turn, invited Nathanael to meet Jesus, demonstrating his enthusiasm for spreading the message.

6. Bartholomew (Nathanael): Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, was initially skeptical about Jesus until Philip invited him to meet him. After encountering Jesus, Nathanael became a devoted disciple.

7. Thomas: Thomas, often remembered as “doubting Thomas,” was called by Jesus while he was with the other disciples. He is best known for his initial scepticism regarding Jesus’ resurrection.

8. Matthew (Levi): Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before he was called by Jesus. He encountered Jesus while sitting at the tax booth, and upon hearing the call, he left everything to follow him.

9. James, son of Alphaeus: Little is known about James, son of Alphaeus, but he is believed to have been a carpenter. He was called by Jesus along with the other disciples.

10. Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James): Thaddaeus, also known as Judas, son of James, is one of the lesser-known disciples. He was called by Jesus but is not prominently featured in the Gospels.

11. Simon the Zealot: Simon, also known as Simon the Zealot, was likely a member of the Jewish Zealot movement before becoming a disciple of Jesus. His exact background and how he met Jesus are not explicitly mentioned in the Gospels.

12. Judas Iscariot: Judas Iscariot, infamous for betraying Jesus, was selected by Jesus as one of the twelve disciples. He ultimately met Jesus through his ministry and was chosen to be one of his closest followers, despite later betraying him.

In conclusion, the twelve disciples of Jesus came from diverse backgrounds, including fishermen, tax collectors, and unknown professions. They met Jesus through various encounters, including personal invitations, direct calls, and introductions by fellow disciples. Despite their differences, they all answered Jesus’ call to follow him, becoming instrumental in spreading his teachings and establishing the foundation of Christianity.