By Tyson Thorne

August 11, 2016
 
 

The Galilean Ministry at Various Cities (4.14-9.50), 6.12-16

In a single paragraph Luke tells us of the completion of Jesus choosing the 12 disciples. It begins with one of the many accounts of Jesus withdrawing from the crowds to pray. He prayed not for a few minutes or hours, but all night, so important were the decisions. He was entrusting these men with the future of his ministry. Even Judas, the only one Luke comments on, had a vital role to play. Luke gives us names, and the details of these men and their faith will have to wait, becoming known only as we read the rest of the story.

Modern epoch novels often include a cheat sheet of sorts, a reference the reader can go back to and remind themselves of who is who in the story line. Something like that might be of benefit here. I give you the Think-Biblically.com short guide to the apostles.

In the order they are listed by Luke:

Simon-Peter

Simon was renamed Peter by Jesus, a name that means “rock”. When Jesus gave him this name it wasn’t because of Simon’s unwavering commitment at the time, but rather because of his stability and prominence in the future founding of the great mystery revealed as “the church”. Peter was first called to follow Jesus while fishing on the sea of Galilee with his brother Andrew and business partners James, and John – an occupation he returned to after Jesus’ death. He had a wife and was educated in the common schooling of the day, but had no rabbinical training or religious training except for attending synagogue once a week. He is always named first in all the gospel lists of the disciples.

Andrew

Simon-Peter’s brother and a fellow fisherman was a disciple of John the Baptist’s before meeting Jesus. After meeting Jesus, he became convinced that he had met the Messiah and quickly introduced him to his brother Simon. While Luke never mentions Jesus’ association with these two men prior to his teaching from their boat on the Sea of Galilee, it was likely because of this friendship that Jesus asked to use their boat. Andrew seemed to always be most interested in prophecy, having been noted by Luke to be asking questions when Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple and when Jesus discussed his second coming. After Acts 1.13 he is never mentioned again in the Bible, presumably having died a martyr’s death on an x-shaped cross in Achaia.

James, Son of Zebedee

Fisherman and business partners with Simon-Peter, Andrew and his own brother John and father (Zebedee). The five of them held two boats and enough crew for both to make a good living. James was the elder brother. Due to their close relationships, James, John and Peter were akin to the Three Amigos, always at the center of the action. There is some evidence to suggest that their mother, Salome, was the sister of Jesus’ mother Mary. If so they would have been cousins of Jesus, which may explain their impetuous behavior (like asking Jesus for special privilege in heaven).

John, Son of Zebedee

John, the brother of James and likely a cousin of Jesus’. He was first a disciple of John the Baptists, but later followed Jesus believing him to be the Messiah. He, along with Peter and his brother James, were the closest to Jesus. John is also the first to recognize Jesus in his post-resurrection appearances. He is known as “the one Jesus loved” and author of the gospel of John, Revelation, and three short letters.

Philip

This is Philip the Apostle, not the same as Philip the Evangelist or a deacon of the early church named Philip. He was a friend of Andrew and Peter having grown up in the same town, and was also a disciple of John the Baptists. He appears to be an introvert, though he did bring Nathaniel into the fold. He was present in the upper room at Pentecost, but little is known of his life thereafter.

Bartholomew

Aside from being listed among the twelve apostles, he is not mentioned at any other time. Nothing can be confirmed about his identity, life or mission.

Matthew (Levi)

A former tax collector turned apostle, life for Matthew could not have been easy. As a Jew who worked for Rome collecting taxes from his fellow countrymen, he was despised by most as a traitor. But when Jesus called him to follow, he did so without hesitation leaving everything behind, including the taxes he had collected. He was devout and, as his Gospel reveals, a good record keeper. This is one of the reasons I break from tradition and believe the Gospel of Matthew was the first written, not Mark. One of the first things we learn about Matthew is that he invited all his fellow tax collectors to a gathering at his home to introduce them to Jesus. He was social in his own circles and very determined to bring people to Jesus.

Thomas (Didymus, the Twin)

Little is known about “doubting Thomas” other than the fact he was prone to emotional swings. When the other apostles were urging Jesus not to go see Lazarus due to the danger presented by the religious authorities, Thomas was with Jesus saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” This man who was willing to die with Jesus refused to believe in the resurrection until he too saw Jesus and held his nail-scarred hands and pierced side.

James (Son of Alphaeus)

Likely a brother of Matthew, but nothing is known for certain about this apostle.

Simon-the-Zealot

Nothing is known for certain regarding the life of this disciple.

Judas (Son of James)

Nothing is known for certain of this individual.

Judas Iscariot

There may be no better known apostle noted for his betrayal of Jesus. While he may have become an apostle originally out of pure motive, his greed and lust for power grew to the point that eventually he permitted himself to be used by Satan. He was the treasurer of the apostles, and later began embezzling funds. No doubt Jesus saw the darkness in Judas’ heart when he called him to follow, knowing that he would play the necessary role of betrayer but make no mistake, Judas followed his own heart of darkness and was not compelled to perform evil by some plan of God’s. After handing Jesus over to be killed, his conscience got the better of him and he committed suicide.

 
 
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