Who Were the Twelve Apostles — In Biblical Context
The twelve apostles were the men Jesus chose as His closest followers and commissioned to spread the gospel: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias).
The twelve apostles were the men Jesus chose as His closest followers and commissioned to spread the gospel: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias).
"Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him." — Matthew 10:2-4 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Jesus chose twelve men from His larger group of followers to serve as apostles — His sent ones. They came from diverse backgrounds: fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, John), a tax collector (Matthew), a zealot (Simon), and others. They witnessed Jesus' ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection firsthand. After Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death, the remaining eleven chose Matthias to restore their number. At Pentecost, the apostles received the Holy Spirit and began proclaiming the gospel with power. They performed miracles, established churches, and most died as martyrs for their faith. Peter became a leader of the Jerusalem church. John wrote a Gospel, three epistles, and Revelation. James was the first apostle martyred. Thomas traveled to India. Paul, though not one of the original twelve, was later called as an apostle to the Gentiles. The apostles laid the foundation of the Christian church through their eyewitness testimony and writings.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 10:2-4, sits inside Matthew 10. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him."
Supporting Passages
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."
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