New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 10:2

Sent Out Like Sheep

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Matthew 10:2 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 10:2, in plain English

Here are the twelve He chose: Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

Why it's here

These weren't religious professionals or scholars. They were fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men Jesus saw potential in.

Who's speaking

Matthew, listing the apostles.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus built His world-changing movement with the most unlikely group of people imaginable.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

Matthew lists the twelve apostles by name, beginning with Simon Peter and ending with Judas Iscariot, identified as the one who betrayed (paradous) Jesus.

Language and setting

The list begins with 'first (protos) Simon,' indicating his leadership role, and the inclusion of Judas creates dramatic tension.

Voice

Matthew, cataloging the Twelve.

Significance

This list preserves the names of the founding leadership of the Jesus movement, a diverse group of ordinary men with an extraordinary calling.

In context

Matthew 10:1–4

1And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.

2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

4Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Read all of Matthew 10 — Jesus hands his authority to twelve ordinary men and sends them into a hostile world. The mission briefing is searingly honest.

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