Matthew 10:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:2

Now the names, In the parallels part of the word "names" is found as a verb, "whom also he named apostles;" i.e. the naming there refers, not to the individuals, but to their office. Is the form found in our Gospel an "accidental" rearrangement due to a reminiscence that the word "name" occurred in the earliest source, or is it possible that the two facts are connected, and that the individuals received a new name when they definitely entered on a new office? That they should have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:2-4

THE NAMES OF THE AGENTS . Parallel passages: Mark 3:14-19 ; Luke 6:13-16 (cf. Acts 1:13 ). This Commentary upon St. Luke deals so fully both with the list as a whole and with the separate names that it will not be necessary to say much here. Observe that the general agreement in arrangement points to some common basis underlying all four accounts; also that of these the one found in the Acts is the briefest, giving little more than the bare names; and that that found in our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:2-4

Representative Christian characters. No doubt the number twelve was chosen by our Lord because twelve had been the number of the tribes of Israel. Very possibly a critical estimate of those two sets of twelve would bring to view this very interesting fact—the heads of the twelve tribes represent the different types of ordinary humanity, they classify human character; and the twelve apostles represent the different types of Christianized humanity, or of human character as influenced by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:2-15

Christ's charge to his apostles. After a night spent in prayer, Jesus called his twelve disciples and constituted them into an apostolic college. With his commission he gave them his charge. Notice— I. THE PERSONS COMMISSIONED AND CHARGED . 1 . They were twelve in number. 2 . Their names are given in order. II. THE CHARGE . 1 . As to the apostles preaching. (a) Not to the Gentiles. (b) Not to the Samaritans. (c) They were to limit their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:3

Bartholomew . Nathanael ( John 1:45 , equivalent to Theodore ) was so common a name (cf. Numbers 1:8 ; 1 Chronicles 2:14 ; 1 Chronicles 15:24 ; 1 Chronicles 26:4 ; 2 Chronicles 17:7 ; 2 Chronicles 35:9 ; Ezra 10:22 ; Nehemiah 12:21 , Nehemiah 12:36 ), that for further identification a patronymic ("son of Tolmai," Ptolemy) was used, which in this case, superseded the proper name. Thomas . "As Thomas ( δίδυμος ), ' the Twin,' is properly a surname, and this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 10:2

Now the names of the twelve apostles - The account of their being called is more fully given in Mark 3:13-18, and Luke 6:12-19. Each of those evangelists has recorded the circumstances of their appointment. They agree in saying it was done on a mountain; and, according to Luke, it was done before the sermon on the mount was delivered, perhaps on the same mountain, near Capernaum. Luke adds that the night previous had been spent “in prayer” to God. See the notes at Luke 6:12.Simon, who is called... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 10:3

Philip and Bartholomew - These two were probably sent out together. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. He is not the same as Philip the evangelist, mentioned in Acts 6:5; Acts 21:8. Bartholomew (literally, “the son of Tolmai”).Thomas - Literally, “a twin,” in reference to which he is also called “Didymus,” John 11:16. For his character, see the notes at John 20:25. “And Matthew the publican.” See the notes at Matthew 9:9. “James the son of Alpheus.” See the note... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 10:2-4

Matthew 10:2-4. The first, Simon The first who was called to a constant attendance on Christ: although Andrew had seen him before Simon, John 1:41. James the son of Zebedee The fisherman, and John his brother The beloved disciple; who were also called at the same time with the two former, as they were fishing at the sea of Galilee, Mark 1:19. The word Ιακωβος , which we translate James, is the same name with that of the patriarch; but immemorial custom has appropriated, in our... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 10:1-4

36. Jesus chooses the twelve apostles (Matthew 9:35-10:4; Mark 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-19)The more Jesus’ work grew, the more people came seeking him; and the more deeply saddened he became as he saw the confused and helpless spiritual condition of the Jewish people. There were plenty of opportunities for worthwhile work but there were few workers, and Jesus asked his followers to pray that God would supply the right workers to meet the need (Matthew 9:35-38; Mark 3:7-12).So urgent was the need that... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 10:2

apostles = those sent forth. See note on Mark 3:14 . Zebedee. See note on Matthew 4:21 . read more

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