Mark 3:13-19 (NKJV) The Twelve Apostles
(Matt. 10:1–4; Luke 6:12–16)
13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: 16 Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.
V13 “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.” What mountain is this? It is unknown. Since they are in the Capernaum area, it is reasonable that this mountain is also in this area. The Greek word for “called” is (G4341) προσκαλέω proskaléō, which means to call one to come near and summon. Why did He choose these men, and what method did He use to choose? It is unknown. One of those called, Judas Iscariot, was known at the time he was chosen to be a nonbeliever (V19, John 6:64, and John 6:70-71). Each responded to the call by coming to Jesus. Jesus is the leader, the king, the Messiah who chooses for service even though He could have done everything Himself. He is a delegator. See Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:11, and Ephesians 2:20.
V14 “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach…” Why 12? It is unknown, though the number 12 is significant.
A warning about numbers that is important: “Does the Number 12 Have Power By Itself? Please keep in mind that we are looking for the symbolism of the number, not a mystical meaning. Vivian Bricker warns that nowhere in Scripture do we find numbers have innate supernatural power. These are not angel numbers or lucky numbers. They simply point to the power and wisdom of God.” (https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-should-we-know-number-12-in-the-bible.html)
The number 12 usually has the idea of perfection, completeness, and authority.
V15 “…and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons…” God’s method of leadership is delegation. He could do everything Himself but used this method because it is the best of all methods. These 12 were to 1) be with Him (intense training/mentoring), 2) be sent to preach, heal, and cast out demons, and 3) to preach the Gospel.
V16 “…Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter…” In most lists, Peter is first. Simon is his given name, but Jesus nicknamed him Peter (pebble). Jesus is the rock, and we are pebbles, that is, a piece of the rock suggesting Christians are one body (1 Corinthians 12:12).
V17 “…James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder…” They were named “Sons of Thunder” because they were very passionate and impulsive. God can use all different personality types.
V18 “…Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite…”
Warren W. Wiersbe writes: “The word Canaanite in Mark 3:18 has nothing to do with national or racial origin. It is the Hebrew word cananaean, which comes from a word that means “to be jealous, to be zealous.” The Zealots were a group of Jewish extremists organized to overthrow Rome; and they used every means available to advance their cause. The historian Josephus called them “daggermen.” It would be interesting to know how Simon the Zealot responded when he first met Matthew, a former employee of Rome.”
V19 “…and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.” Judas had the opportunity to believe, but he refused because he loved money more than God (John 12:6).
We learn:
- God delegates.
- God chooses some for different ministries (1 Corinthians 12:28).
- God uses all personality types.
Questions: - What style of leadership do you use?
- Are you serving the Lord Jesus?