Category:Choosing of the Twelve (subject)

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The Choosing of the Twelve refers to an event in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and his closest disciples (the Twelve Apostles). The episode is narrated in the Gospels of Mark (3:13–19), Matthew (10:1-4), and Luke (6:12-16); see also John (6:70).

Overview

The names of the Twelve are not the same in the lists of Mark, Matthew and Luke.

The Gospels of John knows the existence of the Twelve and refers to their appointment, but does not record the episode of the Choosing of the Twelve, nor list the names of the Twelve.

  • 1. Simon Peter (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Barnabas)
  • 2. Andrew (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Barnabas)
  • 3. James (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Barnabas)
  • 4. John (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Barnabas)
  • 5. Philip (Mark, Matthew, Luke, [John], Barnabas)
  • 6. Bartholomew (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Barnabas); or Nathanael (John)
  • 7. Thomas (Mark, Matthew, Luke, [John]); or Barnabas (Barnabas)
  • 8. Matthew (Mark, Matthew, Luke, [Thomas], Barnabas)
  • 9. James, son of Alphaeus (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Barnabas)
  • 10-11. Thaddeus and Simon the Cananaean (Mark, Matthew); or Jude and Simon the Zealot (Luke); or Thaddeus and Jude (Barnabas). <Traditionally, Thaddeus is identified with Jude, but in Barnabas they are separate apostles>
  • 12. Judas Iscariot (Mark, Matthew, Luke, [John], Barnabas) -- then replaced by Matthias after the betrayal of Judas and the death of Jesus

Choosing of the Twelve, in ancient sources

Gospel of Mark

Mark 3:13-19 (NRSV) -- 3 He [i.e. Jesus] went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, 15 and to have authority to cast out demons. 16 So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 10:1-4 (NRSV) -- [1] Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. [2] These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; [3] Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; [4] Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

Gospel of Luke

Luke 6:12-16 (NRSV) -- 12 Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Gospel of John

John 6:70 -- Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”

Cf. Gospel of Barnabas

[14b] Jesus, seeing that great was the multitude of them that returned to their heart for to walk in the law of God, went up into the mountain, and abode all night in prayer, and when day was come he descended from the mountain, and chose twelve, whom he called apostles, among whom is Judas, who was slain upon the cross. Their names are: Andrew and Peter his brother, fisherman; Barnabas, who wrote this, with Matthew the publican, who sat at the receipt of custom; John and James, sons of Zebedee; Thaddaeus and Judas; Bartholomew and Philip; James, and Judas Iscariot the traitor. To these he always revealed the divine secrets; but the Iscariot Judas he made his dispenser of that which was given in alms, but he stole the tenth part of everything.

Choosing of the Twelve, in the arts

External links

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