Mark 3:13

The exact location of this incident is uncertain. It was probably somewhere in Galilee since this whole section describes Jesus’ ministry there (Mark 1:14 to Mark 6:6 a). Jesus first called His disciples to join Him. Then from that larger group He selected 12 as apostles (Luke 6:13). Evidently Jesus selected 12 for leadership over Israel’s 12 tribes during His messianic reign (Matthew 19:28). In view of Israel’s rejection of Jesus, they became the nucleus of the church, which the New Testament never refers to as the "new Israel." This is a term that covenant theologians have applied to the church that has created serious confusion in the minds of many Bible students.

". . . from a mountaintop, an imagery reminiscent of Yahweh’s summons to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:20), Jesus sovereignly summons the Twelve into a new community (Mark 3:13-19) and to a mission that is founded on a relationship with himself (’in order that they might be with him,’ Mark 3:14). He confers his authority on the Twelve and sends them out with dominion over demons (Mark 6:7-13) and with freedom from the tradition of the elders (Mark 7:5-13)." [Note: Edwards, p. 224.]

"In Mark’s story world, the mountain connotes nearness to God and is therefore a place of divine-human communication and encounter. Atop a mountain, Jesus prays (Mark 6:46), is transfigured by God (Mark 9:2-8), and foretells the future (Mark 13:3-5)." [Note: Kingsbury, p. 93.]

Mark stressed that Jesus initiated this appointment, and the Twelve voluntarily responded (cf. Exodus 19:20). Perhaps he did this to remind his readers that God had chosen them as disciples; they had not sought this privilege. The response of these initial disciples provided a good example for all succeeding followers of Jesus.