12 Now it came to pass in those days that He
went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His
disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named
apostles: 14 Simon,
whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John;
Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew
and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas
Iscariot who also became a traitor. 17 And
He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples
and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the
seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their
diseases, 18 as well
as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch
Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
Andrew: Simon Peter’s brother, a fisherman by trade who worked alongside his father and brother Simon Peter in that occupation, and like his brother Peter, he was a man looking for the Messiah. As such both men were disciples of John the Baptist who after Jesus Christ s baptism John pointed both of them to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Now it was Andrew who first “found” Jesus and who then brought his brother Peter to Him (John 1:40), whereupon Jesus named Peter, Cephas meaning “a stone” (John 1:35-41; also see Matt. 4:18-19; Mark 1:16-20). Andrews other mentions are in Mark 1:29 where it states that Peter and Andrew lived in the same residence (parallel passages Matt. 8:14-15; Luke 4:38-39). Also, Andrew and Peter along with Philip (another Apostle) were all from the city of Bethsaida (John 1:44). In the lists of the Apostles Andrew is always listed after Peter his brother who have been older? (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 3:13-18; Luke 6:12-16). Andrew was one of the twelve Apostles that Jesus sent out to preach and to tell the people to repent. And in this Jesus also gave them power over unclean spirits and power to heal, so that all of Israel would know that what they spoke and did was being done in Jesus Christ’ s Name (Matthew 10:1-3; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). Now it was Andrew who found the lad with the two loaves and five small fish when Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:8-14). And when certain Greeks wanted to speak with Jesus, they first approached Philip who then went and told Andrew before both men went and told Jesus (John 12:20-22). Now Andrew was present along with Peter James and John on the Mount of Olives when Jesus gave His oracle on the end times (Matt. 24:1-51; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-37). Andrews last mention by name in the N.T. is when he is present with the other Apostles and disciples in the upper prayer room (Acts 1:13-14).
James and John: James and John were the sons of Zebedee, both were fishermen like their father. And both are always mentioned in connection with Peter and Andrew with whom they were originally in a business partnership with. They’re mothers name was Salome who often ministered to the Lord (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40-41). These two brothers were called by Jesus soon after He began His public ministry and called Peter and Andrew (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20). And as when Jesus renamed Peter, Cephas, meaning a Stone, Jesus also designated these two brothers the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). Both men were then strong-willed individuals. For once when a Samaritan village would not receive Jesus, they asked Him if they should call down fire upon it, just as the great Elijah once did (2 Kings 1:10-12), for which Jesus rebuked them by saying: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:51-56). Later both these brothers; along with they’re mother interceding on their behalf; would ask Jesus to grant them to sit on thrones with Him on either side of Him in His Kingdom, for which Jesus then gives His sermon on seeking service rather than greatness for oneself (Matt. 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45). Even so James and John along with Peter share a unique place with Jesus during His earthly ministry. For it is only them that Jesus brings with Himself when He heals Jairus daughter (Mark 5:35-43, vs. 37; Luke 8:49-56); when He is transfigured on the mountain (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28); and when He prays in Gethsemane, He asks just these three men to keep watch with Him (Matt. 26:36-46, vs. 37-38). And though James name always appears before John’s, it will be John the younger brother that will rise to the forefront. For it will be Peter and John whom Jesus will select to go and make preparations for them all to keep the Passover Meal the night before Jesus’ Crucifixion (Luke 22:8). And it will be Peter and John sitting on either side of Jesus at that meal that will lean upon Jesus’ chest (John 21:20-23). Now after Jesus’ Crucifixion, and then Resurrection from the dead, it is both Peter and John who will be the first men to visit the empty tomb (John 20:1-10). And in the early church it is John who is only seen with Peter when Peter after the Holy Spirit’s outpouring heals the lame man in the Temple, (a power which all the Apostles had, Acts 5:12) and thus they are subsequentially arrested, tried, and beaten for preaching in Jesus Christ the Resurrection from the dead (Acts 3:1-4:22). Later Peter and John will be arrested again, and this time imprisoned for preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, however, an angel of God will free them and tell them to continue to preach to the people all the words of this life (Acts 5:17-6:42). Later when persecutions in Jerusalem become so fierce that believers must leave and to go out everywhere, and Philip the evangelist having done so preaches the Gospel in Samaria, and the Samaritans receive the Gospel, the church leadership in Jerusalem sends Peter and John to them, so that they too might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8). Thus, the only other mentions of James, John’s brother in the Book of Acts then is when Herod will target and kill him so as to please the Jews in Jerusalem, before setting his heart upon arresting and imprisoning the Apostle Peter (Acts 12). Thus, James must have been viewed by Herod and the Jews as one of the key leaders in the early church. One finial note on James, and that is that the James the brother of John is to be distinguished from James the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the oldest of His four younger brothers (Matt. 13:55), and who is accredited with the Epistle of James, and who apparently filled the Apostle James void in the church leadership after his martyrdom, because it is James the brother of Jesus who is at the Jerusalem counsel where Peter, and then James both give a brief but eloquent defense of the grace of God to the Gentiles, in which James also gives the basic tenants that the church is to now be bound by (Acts 15:13-21). The Apostle James then, unlike Peter and John must have been early on completely set apart in the early church to the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:1-7), rather than the churches early mission evangelism preaching, that Peter and John were initially so involved in. Now John’s legacy in the early church after his brother James death is extensive; for it is through him that the Holy Spirit gives us the Gospel of John which bears his name. As well as three Epistles, which also bear his Name. And the Book of Revelations which was given to John by the Holy Spirit while he was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos for his faith in and faithfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. An absolutely incredible legacy is then the legacies of the Apostles and brothers James and John.
Philip and Bartholomew: Philip was from Bethsaida the same city that Andrew and Peter were from (John 1:43). His call by Jesus Christ to follow Him in discipleship came after Jesus had called Peter to Himself (John 1:43-51) Philips delight in finding Jesus, and believing that He is the One whom Moses in the Law and prophets wrote about, then leads Philip to tell a friend about Jesus whose name is Nathaniel, who was from Cana of Galilee, and who some believe to be the same person as the Apostle Bartholomew (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14). Nathaniel though is initially less than thrilled about this, for he is rather uncertain that anything good can come out of Nazareth. Nonetheless he agrees to go with Philip and come and see Jesus for himself (John 1:46). Now when Jesus sees Nathaniel (or Bartholomew) coming towards Him, Jesus says to him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” John 1:47 Thus, we deduct from Jesus’ very forward statement about Nathaniel that he was not a man who was easily swayed by popular opinions or “movements.” However, when Jesus said this to Nathaniel, He seemed to touch something that resonated very deeply within him, for Nathaniel then says to Jesus: “How do You know me?” To which Jesus responds: “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” John 1:48 Now when Jesus said this to him, Nathaniel was utterly shocked that Jesus knew him, and knew where he was, and what he was doing, even before Philip invited him to come and meet Him, which then leaves Nathaniel with no other conclusion then to say to Jesus that: “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:49 Now when Jesus heard him say that, He responds by saying to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” Then Jesus also says to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” John 1:50-51 Thus with Nathaniel (in John’s Gospel, or Bartholomew elsewhere) we have one of the most dramatic conversions, from once an initial cynical doubting that the Messiah could come out of Nazareth, to one of the boldest and earliest declarations recorded that we have of Jesus’ Person in the Gospel, with Jesus then promising to show him even greater things! Now after that initial encounter with Jesus Bartholomew is only mentioned by name in the N.T. again in the lists of Apostles, and as being present in the upper prayer room in the Book of Acts (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Thus, being recorded present at the upper prayer room after Jesus’ Ascension, Bartholomew would have heard all of Jesus’ teachings, and seen all of Jesus’ works and healings in the Gospels, along with being an eye witness to His Crucifixion, then His Resurrection three days later and then Jesus Ascension back to heaven. As well Bartholomew would have personally experienced the Holy Spirit’s outpouring on the Day of Pentecost. Thus, though his own deeds are not recorded for us, Bartholomew would have born eye witness too, and experienced the deeds of the One whose Work alone matters. Now both Philip and Bartholomew appear right after each other in the lists of the Apostles in the Gospel (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14), the exception being in Acts 1:13. Now Philips other mentions in the Gospel are when Jesus fed the five thousand in the wilderness; for it was when Jesus saw the five thousand coming towards Him that He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” so as to test Philip (John 6:5-6). Now Philip upon the seeing the multitude cannot fathom how they could possible feed them and all, and thus says to Jesus “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” And thus, Philip rather than seeing Jesus as the One who provides the resources for us to do the work, and or meet the needs He brings to us, only saw the problem and not Jesus as the One who provides not just for us, but for us to do whatever He will us to do. Thankfully then the Gospel does not try to conceal any of the disciple’s failings, but always shows us the Lord’s faithfulness through them all. Philips only other mention in the Gospels then is when certain Greeks who had come to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem wanted to see Jesus, they initially approached Philip about this, Philip then came and told Andrew their request, and Andrew told Jesus (John 12:20-22).
Thomas and Matthew: Thomas is only mentioned in the three synoptic Gospels in the lists of the Apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). However, in the Gospel of John we learn more about him. Thomas’ first mention is in connection with Jesus Christ’s raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-45). For it was when Jesus went to raise Lazarus from the dead, and Jesus mentioned going into Judea, where the Jews and their leaders had previously tried to stone Him (John 11:8), Thomas then not understanding Jesus’ intentions to go there this time was only to raise Lazarus from the dead, as a witness to them, and not die Himself, rashly says: “let us go with Him that we may also die.” John 11:16 Later when Jesus was foretelling the twelve of His own Death and then Resurrection from the dead, that after it was accomplished, that He was going to prepare a place for them, saying: “…I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. John 14:3-4 And so when Thomas’ responds by saying: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” John 14:5 Jesus Christ gives us His Great declaration and promise of entering into God the Fathers Eternal Presence and Salvation through Him alone, by saying to him: … “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
Thomas’ next mention then is in connection with the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, where Jesus having Rising from the dead stands in the midst of the disciples, who out of fear of the Jews were in an inner room (John 20:19-25). Nonetheless Thomas was not there with them, and so upon hearing of the Lord’s Appearance to them, he says, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:26 And so it will be that eight days later Jesus will make another Appearance to the disciples while they are all inside and Jesus having greeted them all, saying: “Peace to you!” will then say to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” To which Tomas will say to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (see John 20:26-29). Jesus’ next Word to him then is: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 Thomas’s last mention in the John’s Gospel is when he is listed amongst some of the disciples who being discouraged go back to fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Nonetheless it is here that Jesus will appear to them again, and prepare for them a breakfast by the sea before telling them of things to come to them and commissioning them into His Service (see John 21). Thomas then will go to be with the twelve Apostles, who upon the Holy Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost are not only changed forever, but they will be the ones through whom the Lord will begin to change the world, that is by His redeemed and transformed people living in obedience to His Gospel! Which is the only “formula” which makes for church peace and growth in every generation.
Now Matthew’s call by Jesus to follow Him in discipleship comes while he is sitting in the tax collector’s office and Jesus seeing him there then says to him, “follow Me.” Matthew then being chosen by Jesus shows us that Jesus does not respect cultural norms, beliefs, and practices, when these alienate someone from Him. As well with Jesus so unabashedly and publicly calling Matthew into His discipleship, we also see if a person’s heart is hungering for something more than what they have in this life, the Lord Jesus Christ will find them, and ask them to open their heart to Him, so that they may also follow Him in discipleship (Rev. 3:20). Now Matthews joy at being found by Jesus causes him to give a great supper for Jesus, and the other disciples. And so it is that Matthew having gladly received the Lord Jesus Christ, also unabashedly invites all of his friends and associates, who like himself, because of his occupation, are also “social outcasts.” Thus, Matthews only friends were other tax collectors and sinners. Nonetheless Jesus does shun such associations, but graciously attends with His disciples Matthews feast that he was giving for Him. Now it is while Jesus is at this feast that the scribes and Pharisees seeing Him there are outraged that a “rabbi” or teacher like Jesus would attend such a feast where tax collectors and sinners were assembled (see Matt. 9:9-13;). Therefore, when Jesus heard their evil and unjust outrage at Him, He said to them: … “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matt. 9:12-13 Thus the Gospel isn’t just for “righteous” people it is for all who see their need for God’s salvation from their sins and transgressions and come to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12). Now Matthew is not mentioned again in the N.T. by name except in the lists of the Apostles, and in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, where they refer to him in the passage cited here as Levi (see Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32). Nonetheless Matthews acute observation and scribal skills as a former tax collector will come into Christ’s service, for it will be this Matthew through whom God, by the Holy Spirit will give us the Gospel of Matthew, which is the first Gospel given in the New Testament! Jesus then not only calls sinners and social outcasts to follow Him in discipleship, but when they do He uses them mightily!
James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus. This James is listed ninth in the lists of the Apostles (NNIBD), but he is not mentioned in the Gospels outside of the lists of the Apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15), and so not much is known about him. He is mentioned as being an Apostle in the upper prayer room in Acts 1:13 and so he was an active Apostle in the early church after the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. As well some authorities recognize him as being the same persons as James the less (see Mark 15:40). Now Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus is the tenth Apostle listed in the Gospels (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18). He is assumed to be the same person as Judas the son of James in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13; and thus, the Judas (not Iscariot) asking Jesus in John 14:22 how Jesus will manifest Himself to His disciples and not the world.
Simon the Cananite, This Apostle Simon bears the designation, “the Cananite” to likely help distinguish him from Simon Peter (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). Now in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13 Luke the Gentile gives Simons designation as “the zealot” which maybe indicating that he was once a member of a fanatical Jewish sect called the zealots, a group which was fiercely opposed to all Roman rule of the Jews, and or, Gentile interference in the affairs of their lives.
Judas Iscariot: the betrayer and the traitor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:4). His father’s name was Simon. From the beginning Jesus knew this man would be the one who would betray Him (John 6:70-71). Nonetheless Judas seems to have earned the trust of the other Apostles since he was put in charge of the money box, from which he then stole what was put into it. Now we learn of Judas’ thievery when Mary six days before the Passover when our Lord and Savior would be crucified took a pound of very costly spikenard oil and then she first anoints Jesus feet with it, and then wipes His feet dry with her hair. However, upon seeing Mary’s gracious act, Judas Iscariot only sees the potential loss of profit for himself, and so he then turns against her and says to all there: “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” Now the Scripture says: “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” John 12:4-6 Judas Iscariot thus having set the disciples against her by saying as much, so as to conceal his own evil deeds and desires, only brings the Lord Jesus Christ to her defense who then says: … “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” John 12:7-8
Now it is after this rebuke by Jesus, that Judas Iscariot goes to chief priests and asks them what they will give him if He betrays Jesus to them, for which they promise him thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10; Luke 22:3-6). Thus, Judas Iscariot will be the man who will fulfill the Scripture which foretold that this would occur (Zech. 11:12). Therefore, it will be during the Passover Meal, the night before the Lord’s Crucifixion, (i.e. the Last Supper) that Jesus will reveal His betrayer to all. For it will be there that Jesus while sharing the Passover meal with His disciples will say that one of them will betray Him that night. And so, Jesus will reveal His betrayer by saying, that it will be the one who dips his bread in the dish with Him who will betray, Him, to which Jesus also pronounces a grave woe on the man who betrays Him (Matt. 26:20-25; Mark 14:17-21), and having done so, and handed Judas Iscariot the piece of bread that had been dipped, Satan then enters Judas, and with that Jesus says to him, “what you do, do quickly.” Judas then at Word of the Lord goes out to betray Him (see John 13:21-30). Therefore, it will be that night at the Garden of Gethsemane that Judas with a detachment of troops and officers, sent with him from the chief priests and Pharisees, along with a great multitude of armed men, will seek out Jesus (see Matt. 27:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-11). Judas’ last act then will be his own hanging, for having betrayed Jesus to the chief priests, and seen His arrest, and knowing that he has betrayed innocent blood to death, Judas will now try to return the silver to relieve his own deep guilt, however there is no relief for the one who betrays the Son of Man, (Matt. 26:24). And so, Judas finding no relief, and having tried to return the silver to the chief priests now throws down the thirty pieces of silver in the Temple and goes out and hangs himself, upon which another Scripture is fulfilled when the chief priests purchase a field to bury strangers in with the dirty money he has abandoned (see Matt. 27:3-10). And so, it will be with Judas’ departure, according to the Word of God, so shall Judas’ replacement come by the same. For it will be after the Lord Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion Death, Resurrection from the Dead three days later, and then His Ascension back to heaven forty days later, that the Apostle Peter being assembled with the other Apostles and early church disciples will propose Judas’ replacement (see Acts 1:15-26). Thus, two men are proposed as candidates to replace Judas, Joseph called Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23), for these also were with the Apostles, from the beginning of John’s Baptism to the Lord Jesus Christ’s Ascension, and so from them one must be chosen to be a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, and Matthias is chosen by God to be numbered with them through prayer and the casting of lots. Thus, we have the twelve Apostles of the church, who will also sit on twelve thrones judging Israel (Matt. 19:28).
Vs. 17-19 17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
Therefore having called His Twelve Apostles to Himself on the mountain top, the Lord Jesus Christ now comes down with them, and standing on some level ground with them, and with all of His disciples, “…a great multitude of people from Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. vs. 18-19And so it will ne after this event that the Gospel of Luke records the Lord Jesus Christ giving His disciples the beatitudes.
Commentary
The
Lord Jesus Christ before choosing the twelve apostles spent the night in prayer
with God the Father. Having done so He then called the twelve men whom He had
chosen to Himself, (vs. 12-16), they are: Simon, whom He also
named Peter, (or Cephas, John 1:42), and Andrew his brother, who introduced him
to Jesus, (for they both were early disciples of John the Baptist, John 1:35-42)
they’re fathers name was Jonah. Now in the lists of the Apostles, though Andrew
brought Peter to Jesus, Peter in the list of the Apostles is always listed first,
for he would become the most prominent Apostle in the early church. Both men
were fishermen in a sort of business partnership with James the son of Zebedee
and John his brother until Jesus called them to follow Him as His disciples (Matt.
4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11). Now from the beginning of his following Jesus,
it seems obvious Jesus had a special call for Peter, for it was Peter that
Jesus upon first meeting him renamed Peter, Cephas, meaning “a stone” (John
1:42). In Peter then Jesus saw something He could build His church upon, and
this would be Peter’s later bold and unapologetic confession of Jesus as the
Christ, the Son of God (see Matt. 16:13-19). Thus, it is Peter throughout the
Gospels who is often the most forward in following Jesus; (this is clearly seen
in Peter walking on the water in wanting to come to Jesus, Matt. 14:22-33); and
it is with Peter that Jesus has the most one on one interactions with; sometimes
teaching, sometimes correcting, and when necessary even rebuking (Matthew 16:21-23;
John 18:11 etc.). Now it was from Peters house that upon healing Peter’s
mother-in-law (thus the Apostle Peter was married) that Jesus began to heal all
who were brought to his house, to fulfill the Scripture which states: “He
Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.” Matt. 8:17 Something
Peter would more fully understand the significance of after Jesus Christ’s
Crucifixion, Resurrection, then Ascension back to heaven (1 Peter 2:23). Later
when Jesus healed Jairus daughter, He would permit no one to follow Him accept
Peter, James and John; the three men who would become the most prominent
Apostles in the early church (Mark 6:35-43). Indeed,
it will be Peter who will be the first to openly declare Jesus as the Christ,
the Son of God, having this revealed to him by God the Father. Thus, it will be
upon that confession of Jesus as the Christ (or Messiah) the Son of God, and
thus the Lord and Savior of one and all who believe in Him, that Jesus will build
His church upon (Matthew 16:13-20). Now with that revelation given to Peter and
the Apostles, by God the Father, Jesus will begin to forewarn them of His
betrayal by Israel’s leadership, then His Crucifixion death at their hands, and
Resurrection from the dead on the third day. However, Peter not understanding
that these things must take place for their and all of believing humanities
redemption, will try to convince Jesus not to let that happen to Him, for which
Jesus must very sternly rebuke Peter by exposing the source of reasoning behind
his not wanting that to happen (Matt. 16:21-23). Now after Peter’s confession
of Jesus, and then that terrible stumble soon afterwards, it will be Peter
along with James and John who will be the ones to whom Jesus will fully reveal Himself
too, when He is transfigured before them on the mountain (Matt. 17:1-13; Mark
9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:17-18). However, Peter being unsettled at the
sight will once again speak rashly and this time will be corrected by God the
Father Himself (Matt. 17:4-8). Nonetheless neither God the Father nor Christ
His Son will abandon Peter for his rash and misspoken words. Instead Jesus time
and again turns these failures of Peter’s, and all the disciples, into teaching
moments, and thus opportunities for their (and our) Spiritual growth and
maturity. Now
because Peter was a leader amongst the disciples, it will be to him that those
who received the Temple tax will come, asking Peter if Jesus pays the Temple tax
or not, to which Jesus will respond with both a Word and a miraculous act, thus
instructing both them and Peter (Matt. 17:24-27). Later Peter again comes to
the forefront when He asks Jesus about forgiveness, asking Him is there a limit
on how often we are to forgive. Jesus’ unequivocal reply is that there is to be
no limits to be placed on our forgiveness (Matt. 18:21-35). Now after Jesus’
encounter with the rich young ruler, Peter in considering the mans departure
will be the first to ask Jesus about their own heavenly rewards for forsaking
all and following Him, to which Jesus promises not just rewards in this life
and eternal life (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:29-30), but also Jesus’
promises that in the Kingdom of heaven the twelve Apostles will sit on twelve
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (also consider 1 Cor. 6:2; Rev.
2:26). However, in stating that, Jesus also says that there will be many who
are first now, who will be last there, and many who are last now, who will be
first there (Matt. 19:27-30). Upon nearing
the time of Christ’s Crucifixion, and while sitting on the Mount of Olives and
viewing the Temple, it will be Peter, James, John and Andrew who will ask Jesus
about the end times, which will precipitate Jesus’ sermon on that (Mark
13:1-4). Later Jesus in preparing to keep the Passover before His Crucifixion will
send Peter and John to go to prepare the already set apart place for Him to
keep the Passover meal (Luke 22:7-13). And it will be these two men sitting on
either side of Jesus who will lean on Jesus’ chest during their keeping the
Passover meal the night before Christ’s Crucifixion (John 21:20). Now it will
be during that meal that Jesus will predict Peters three denials (Matt.
26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31; John 13:36-38). Nonetheless Jesus tells Peter that after
Satan has sifted him like wheat, when he returns to Him, to strengthen His brethren
(Luke 21:31-34), thus again not only restoring Peter but also employing God’s
grace in such away so that Peter as a leader in the church may later strengthen
other believers as well. Later that night in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus while
with the twelve will once again choose Peter, James and John to be with Him to
keep watch while He prays to God the Father to strengthen Him for what is about
to come upon Him; and though the disciples fail Him; Jesus does not abandon
them (Matt. 26:36-46). Later that night during Jesus’ arrest it will be Peter
who will be the one who will strike the high priest’s servant with a sword,
cutting off his ear, for which Jesus rebukes him, and heals the servant (Matt.
26:47-56; John 18:10-11). Now after Jesus’ arrest, both Peter and John will
follow Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard and it will be there that Peters
denials will take place, upon which he when he realizes what he has just done
is deeply remorseful (Matthew 26:74-75). Now after Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion and
Burial it will be at Christ’s empty tomb that the angel of God will tell Mary
Magdalene and Mary to go and tell Jesus’ disciples that He is Risen from the dead,
now in this he will specifically mention Peter, thus Jesus wanted Peter to know
that though he did deny Him, as He said he would, He has now restored him back
to Himself (Mark 16:1-7). Peter then
along with John in great anticipation will run to see the empty tomb (John
20:1-9). Later
Jesus having Risen from the dead will personally reveal Himself to Peter and
John (and five other disciples with them) while they are discouraged and fishing
on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias (i.e. Galilee, John 21:1-14). Now it is to
Peter that Jesus Christ while feeding them by the Seashore will three times
exhort Peter to “Feed My sheep” (2x) and “Tend My sheep” (1x) (see John 21:15-23). Thus, the
Lord Jesus Christ charges the Apostle Peter with the care and oversight of all His
disciples in the early church. Thus, Peter will be the primary leader and preacher
and spokesmen in the early church; for it is Peter after Jesus Christ’s
Ascension back to heaven who will according to the Word of God initiate the
replacement for Judas Iscariot (see Acts 1:15-26). And it is Peter after the
Holy Spirit’s outpouring who first defends and then preaches the Gospel on the
Day of Pentecost to all the Jews assembled there from all over the world (Acts
2:14-40). After that it is Peter and John who upon entering the Temple at the
hour of prayer encounter a lame man whom by Holy Spirit power they heal, upon
which Peter then preaches and declares to all there that this deed was done by the
Lord Jesus Christ’s Name and Power, for He is God’s Son and God’s Chosen
Prophet sent to Israel and though they and their leaders with the help of the
Gentiles Crucified Him, yet now Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead, and so by
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Peter declares God’s salvation and times of
refreshing to them, and to all who repent and believe in Him (Acts 3). Peter and
John then while preaching that in Jesus Christ there is a resurrection from the
dead, will be arrested by the priests, the captain of the guard, and the
Sadducees while declaring Christ in the temple. And thus, being brought before
their Sanhedrin counsel, Peter will fully and boldly preach the Lord Jesus
Christ to all of them there, for which they both threaten and then beat them.
Nonetheless neither Peter or John will be deterred from preaching Jesus Christ
Crucified and Risen from the dead to them or to anyone (Acts 4:1-22), and so
returning to the brethren, they all with one accord ask God for great boldness
and Holy Spirit power to continue to witness to the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts
4:23-31). Now it is during this time that the disciples hold all things in
common (Acts 4:32-37), which makes Ananias and Sapphira his wife’s lying to the
early church about selling their possessions and giving them to the church that
much more heinous, and thus is judged by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle
Peter with both their deaths (Acts 5:1-11). After this event then Peter becomes
thoroughly revered in the early church, and even amongst those outside of it,
because through Peter and all the Apostles great signs and wonders and
miraculous healings were being done by the Holy Spirit (see Acts 5:12-16). After
this the Apostles will be again arrested by the high priest and once again God will
provide for their deliverance (Acts 5:17-21). However, upon returning to
preaching the Gospel in the Temple and all-around Jerusalem, they will again be
placed on trial before the Sanhedrin counsel, where once again the Apostle
Peter proclaims the Lord Jesus Christ to them (Acts 5:22-32). And being
threatened and beaten once again for doing so, and commanded no more to preach
in Jesus Christ’s Name, they refuse to obey them and rather continued to obey
God (Acts 5:33-42). In Acts chapter six the Apostles being located in Jerusalem
and the visible church rapidly growing there they decide to dedicate themselves
to the ministry of the Word of God and prayer, rather than trying to deal will
all the needs and logistics, for which they appoint Godly men full of faith to
take care of (Acts 6:1-7). The next major event that involves Peter is when the
church being severely persecuted in Jerusalem which causes believers to go out
from it everywhere, begin preaching the gospel in all the regions where they
went. Now when Philip the evangelist preached the Gospel in Samaria, and had
great success there, the church leadership in Jerusalem, then sends to them the
Apostles Peter and John to establish them in the faith. And it is there that
the Apostle Peter rebukes the “converted” sorcerer Simon for thinking he could
purchase the gift of God with money, for which Simon is never heard from again
(Acts 8:14-25). From this point on it seems that the Apostle Peter discovers
the ministry of mission evangelism, for he begins to reach out in regions way
beyond Jerusalem, healing a man in Lydda, and making many disciples there (Acts
9:32-35). And it was while Peter was at Joppa that he also raised a woman from
the dead who was named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas), upon which many
hearing of this deed became disciples of Jesus Christ in that region (Acts
9:36-42). Now up until this point the Apostle Peters preaching and evangelism
had not reached out to the Gentiles, for under the Law it was not lawful for
Jews to have contact with Gentiles, (thus Peter and the church) had restricted their
ministry to the Jews and the Samaritans. That though is about to change, as God
will choose a Gentile Centurion of the Italian regiment (thus a military leader
connected with Rome, who for all intense purposes was not one that the Apostles
or Peter would ever gravitate towards trying to reach, for again Jews had no
dealings with Gentiles, much less with one of their military commanders who
then held them in subjugation to Rome). Nonetheless Jesus Himself set the
example when He Himself healed a centurion’s servant (Matt. 8:5-13). Therefore,
the Holy Spirit wanted not just this man and his household saved; for he was a
righteous man who feared God; but God also wanted His salvation to go out into
all the world. And so through Cornelius the Roman centurion, God was about to
reveal to Peter and all the church, that God has no boundaries when it comes to
proclaiming the Gospel, and seeking to reach everyone with it. Thus, God
communicating first with Cornelius by a vision of an angel coming to him, tells
him to request Peter come to him, and then with Peter through a vision God
tells him no longer to see the Gentiles as defiled, but now cleansed. Thus, God
will bring these two men together, upon which the Apostle Peter will preach the
Gospel to Cornelius and his whole household; and upon his and those with him
receiving the Gospel; Peter and those with him will see them receive the Holy
Spirit, just as they had, and thus they will now see and understand that God
has also sanctified the Gentiles (Acts 10). It’s an incredible moment in the
early church that is fully in accord with the Word and Will of God, and by
which the dynamic of the people of God in accord with it changes forever
(Isaiah 49:6). Now when Peter returns to Jerusalem and the church leadership
there, initially he is brought under scrutiny by them because it is told them
that he (and those with him) went to the Gentiles. However, Peter will explain
it all to them how the Holy Spirit brought him and Cornelius together, and what
has happened because of it, and with that the they now all understand the Will
of God (Acts 11). After this the Apostle Peter will again find himself
imprisoned when Herod seeking to please the Jews will kill the Apostle James,
and then seeing this pleased the Jews will seize and arrest Peter. Now Peters
imprisonment is temporary as God will send an angel into the prison house to
free him, and lead Peter out of it. And thus, once again show His Sovereignty
over both Herod and the Jews that opposed the Gospel there. The Apostle Peter
thus being freed will then dwell in Caesarea (Acts 12). It is at this point
that God has been raising up for Himself an Apostle to the Gentiles, the
Apostle Paul, who will far and away surpass Peter’s ministry to them and to
all, who will become the churches greatest Apostle to the Gentiles, because
Paul himself being a Jew of Jews, and a Pharisee of Pharisees, being reared in
the most strictest sect (and yet so profoundly experiencing the grace of God
himself) will have not only the heart and love for God, but also the knowledge
and reasoning abilities to refute those Jews who will not embrace this new
dynamic, of Jews and Gentiles as one Body or church In Christ, for that is the
will of God for His people that we all be one. Thus, as the Apostle Paul’s
ministry by the Holy Spirit grows and grows, even the Apostle Peter will
concede this role to him, recorded by both the Apostle Paul and Peter (Gal
2:6-10; 2 Peter 3:14-16). And so, the Apostle Paul will be the one who will
begin setting the course for the church from that time forward, being the
primary Apostle to whom God brings His Word through His Holy Spirit to His
people (now made up of both Jews and Gentiles). Now some of the Apostle Peters
last great acts then are his embracing and defending this the grace of God in
Acts chapter fifteen, where the Apostle Paul will defend the grace of God that
the Gentiles do not need to be circumcised or be placed under the Law. Thus, the
Apostle Peter and all the Apostles and church leadership now fully understanding
the New Covenant era will fully agree, and thus we have the Jerusalem decree,
the one and only church decree, a decree that liberates all who believe in
Jesus Christ from being circumcised and keeping the law of Moses. After this
the Apostle Peter will write two Epistles both which bear his name and are in
full accord with Apostle Paul’s and all the New Testament Writings. Now the one
black mark on the Apostle Peters ministry life is his needing to be rebuked by
the Apostle Paul for a certain hypocrisy when he came to Antioch; the pivotal
place and center for the early church after the persecutions in Jerusalem;
where believers were first called Christians. For Peter would openly eat with
the Gentile believers there, however when certain Jews came from James in Jerusalem,
he would withdraw himself and only eat with those Jews, for he feared those of
the circumcision. Therefore, the Apostle Paul fully rebukes him and those Jews
who were playing the hypocrite with him (See Gal. 2:11-21). Thus, being rebuked
and instructed it is safe to say that the Apostle Peter never conducted himself
that way again. Now the Apostle Peters last epistle records his waiting for the
Lord Jesus Christs Words fulfillment about his own martyrdom death (2 Peter
1:12-15; see John 21:18-19), and with-it Peter’s legacy and life forever lives
on as an incredible life transformed by the love and grace of God given through
the Person and Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The best then for Peter is still
to come. Andrew: Simon Peter’s brother, a fisherman by trade who worked alongside his father and brother Simon Peter in that occupation, and like his brother Peter, he was a man looking for the Messiah. As such both men were disciples of John the Baptist who after Jesus Christ s baptism John pointed both of them to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Now it was Andrew who first “found” Jesus and who then brought his brother Peter to Him (John 1:40), whereupon Jesus named Peter, Cephas meaning “a stone” (John 1:35-41; also see Matt. 4:18-19; Mark 1:16-20). Andrews other mentions are in Mark 1:29 where it states that Peter and Andrew lived in the same residence (parallel passages Matt. 8:14-15; Luke 4:38-39). Also, Andrew and Peter along with Philip (another Apostle) were all from the city of Bethsaida (John 1:44). In the lists of the Apostles Andrew is always listed after Peter his brother who have been older? (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 3:13-18; Luke 6:12-16). Andrew was one of the twelve Apostles that Jesus sent out to preach and to tell the people to repent. And in this Jesus also gave them power over unclean spirits and power to heal, so that all of Israel would know that what they spoke and did was being done in Jesus Christ’ s Name (Matthew 10:1-3; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). Now it was Andrew who found the lad with the two loaves and five small fish when Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:8-14). And when certain Greeks wanted to speak with Jesus, they first approached Philip who then went and told Andrew before both men went and told Jesus (John 12:20-22). Now Andrew was present along with Peter James and John on the Mount of Olives when Jesus gave His oracle on the end times (Matt. 24:1-51; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-37). Andrews last mention by name in the N.T. is when he is present with the other Apostles and disciples in the upper prayer room (Acts 1:13-14).
James and John: James and John were the sons of Zebedee, both were fishermen like their father. And both are always mentioned in connection with Peter and Andrew with whom they were originally in a business partnership with. They’re mothers name was Salome who often ministered to the Lord (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40-41). These two brothers were called by Jesus soon after He began His public ministry and called Peter and Andrew (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20). And as when Jesus renamed Peter, Cephas, meaning a Stone, Jesus also designated these two brothers the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). Both men were then strong-willed individuals. For once when a Samaritan village would not receive Jesus, they asked Him if they should call down fire upon it, just as the great Elijah once did (2 Kings 1:10-12), for which Jesus rebuked them by saying: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:51-56). Later both these brothers; along with they’re mother interceding on their behalf; would ask Jesus to grant them to sit on thrones with Him on either side of Him in His Kingdom, for which Jesus then gives His sermon on seeking service rather than greatness for oneself (Matt. 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45). Even so James and John along with Peter share a unique place with Jesus during His earthly ministry. For it is only them that Jesus brings with Himself when He heals Jairus daughter (Mark 5:35-43, vs. 37; Luke 8:49-56); when He is transfigured on the mountain (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28); and when He prays in Gethsemane, He asks just these three men to keep watch with Him (Matt. 26:36-46, vs. 37-38). And though James name always appears before John’s, it will be John the younger brother that will rise to the forefront. For it will be Peter and John whom Jesus will select to go and make preparations for them all to keep the Passover Meal the night before Jesus’ Crucifixion (Luke 22:8). And it will be Peter and John sitting on either side of Jesus at that meal that will lean upon Jesus’ chest (John 21:20-23). Now after Jesus’ Crucifixion, and then Resurrection from the dead, it is both Peter and John who will be the first men to visit the empty tomb (John 20:1-10). And in the early church it is John who is only seen with Peter when Peter after the Holy Spirit’s outpouring heals the lame man in the Temple, (a power which all the Apostles had, Acts 5:12) and thus they are subsequentially arrested, tried, and beaten for preaching in Jesus Christ the Resurrection from the dead (Acts 3:1-4:22). Later Peter and John will be arrested again, and this time imprisoned for preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, however, an angel of God will free them and tell them to continue to preach to the people all the words of this life (Acts 5:17-6:42). Later when persecutions in Jerusalem become so fierce that believers must leave and to go out everywhere, and Philip the evangelist having done so preaches the Gospel in Samaria, and the Samaritans receive the Gospel, the church leadership in Jerusalem sends Peter and John to them, so that they too might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8). Thus, the only other mentions of James, John’s brother in the Book of Acts then is when Herod will target and kill him so as to please the Jews in Jerusalem, before setting his heart upon arresting and imprisoning the Apostle Peter (Acts 12). Thus, James must have been viewed by Herod and the Jews as one of the key leaders in the early church. One finial note on James, and that is that the James the brother of John is to be distinguished from James the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the oldest of His four younger brothers (Matt. 13:55), and who is accredited with the Epistle of James, and who apparently filled the Apostle James void in the church leadership after his martyrdom, because it is James the brother of Jesus who is at the Jerusalem counsel where Peter, and then James both give a brief but eloquent defense of the grace of God to the Gentiles, in which James also gives the basic tenants that the church is to now be bound by (Acts 15:13-21). The Apostle James then, unlike Peter and John must have been early on completely set apart in the early church to the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:1-7), rather than the churches early mission evangelism preaching, that Peter and John were initially so involved in. Now John’s legacy in the early church after his brother James death is extensive; for it is through him that the Holy Spirit gives us the Gospel of John which bears his name. As well as three Epistles, which also bear his Name. And the Book of Revelations which was given to John by the Holy Spirit while he was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos for his faith in and faithfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. An absolutely incredible legacy is then the legacies of the Apostles and brothers James and John.
Philip and Bartholomew: Philip was from Bethsaida the same city that Andrew and Peter were from (John 1:43). His call by Jesus Christ to follow Him in discipleship came after Jesus had called Peter to Himself (John 1:43-51) Philips delight in finding Jesus, and believing that He is the One whom Moses in the Law and prophets wrote about, then leads Philip to tell a friend about Jesus whose name is Nathaniel, who was from Cana of Galilee, and who some believe to be the same person as the Apostle Bartholomew (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14). Nathaniel though is initially less than thrilled about this, for he is rather uncertain that anything good can come out of Nazareth. Nonetheless he agrees to go with Philip and come and see Jesus for himself (John 1:46). Now when Jesus sees Nathaniel (or Bartholomew) coming towards Him, Jesus says to him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” John 1:47 Thus, we deduct from Jesus’ very forward statement about Nathaniel that he was not a man who was easily swayed by popular opinions or “movements.” However, when Jesus said this to Nathaniel, He seemed to touch something that resonated very deeply within him, for Nathaniel then says to Jesus: “How do You know me?” To which Jesus responds: “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” John 1:48 Now when Jesus said this to him, Nathaniel was utterly shocked that Jesus knew him, and knew where he was, and what he was doing, even before Philip invited him to come and meet Him, which then leaves Nathaniel with no other conclusion then to say to Jesus that: “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:49 Now when Jesus heard him say that, He responds by saying to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” Then Jesus also says to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” John 1:50-51 Thus with Nathaniel (in John’s Gospel, or Bartholomew elsewhere) we have one of the most dramatic conversions, from once an initial cynical doubting that the Messiah could come out of Nazareth, to one of the boldest and earliest declarations recorded that we have of Jesus’ Person in the Gospel, with Jesus then promising to show him even greater things! Now after that initial encounter with Jesus Bartholomew is only mentioned by name in the N.T. again in the lists of Apostles, and as being present in the upper prayer room in the Book of Acts (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Thus, being recorded present at the upper prayer room after Jesus’ Ascension, Bartholomew would have heard all of Jesus’ teachings, and seen all of Jesus’ works and healings in the Gospels, along with being an eye witness to His Crucifixion, then His Resurrection three days later and then Jesus Ascension back to heaven. As well Bartholomew would have personally experienced the Holy Spirit’s outpouring on the Day of Pentecost. Thus, though his own deeds are not recorded for us, Bartholomew would have born eye witness too, and experienced the deeds of the One whose Work alone matters. Now both Philip and Bartholomew appear right after each other in the lists of the Apostles in the Gospel (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14), the exception being in Acts 1:13. Now Philips other mentions in the Gospel are when Jesus fed the five thousand in the wilderness; for it was when Jesus saw the five thousand coming towards Him that He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” so as to test Philip (John 6:5-6). Now Philip upon the seeing the multitude cannot fathom how they could possible feed them and all, and thus says to Jesus “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” And thus, Philip rather than seeing Jesus as the One who provides the resources for us to do the work, and or meet the needs He brings to us, only saw the problem and not Jesus as the One who provides not just for us, but for us to do whatever He will us to do. Thankfully then the Gospel does not try to conceal any of the disciple’s failings, but always shows us the Lord’s faithfulness through them all. Philips only other mention in the Gospels then is when certain Greeks who had come to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem wanted to see Jesus, they initially approached Philip about this, Philip then came and told Andrew their request, and Andrew told Jesus (John 12:20-22).
Thomas and Matthew: Thomas is only mentioned in the three synoptic Gospels in the lists of the Apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). However, in the Gospel of John we learn more about him. Thomas’ first mention is in connection with Jesus Christ’s raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-45). For it was when Jesus went to raise Lazarus from the dead, and Jesus mentioned going into Judea, where the Jews and their leaders had previously tried to stone Him (John 11:8), Thomas then not understanding Jesus’ intentions to go there this time was only to raise Lazarus from the dead, as a witness to them, and not die Himself, rashly says: “let us go with Him that we may also die.” John 11:16 Later when Jesus was foretelling the twelve of His own Death and then Resurrection from the dead, that after it was accomplished, that He was going to prepare a place for them, saying: “…I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. John 14:3-4 And so when Thomas’ responds by saying: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” John 14:5 Jesus Christ gives us His Great declaration and promise of entering into God the Fathers Eternal Presence and Salvation through Him alone, by saying to him: … “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
Thomas’ next mention then is in connection with the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, where Jesus having Rising from the dead stands in the midst of the disciples, who out of fear of the Jews were in an inner room (John 20:19-25). Nonetheless Thomas was not there with them, and so upon hearing of the Lord’s Appearance to them, he says, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:26 And so it will be that eight days later Jesus will make another Appearance to the disciples while they are all inside and Jesus having greeted them all, saying: “Peace to you!” will then say to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” To which Tomas will say to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (see John 20:26-29). Jesus’ next Word to him then is: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 Thomas’s last mention in the John’s Gospel is when he is listed amongst some of the disciples who being discouraged go back to fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Nonetheless it is here that Jesus will appear to them again, and prepare for them a breakfast by the sea before telling them of things to come to them and commissioning them into His Service (see John 21). Thomas then will go to be with the twelve Apostles, who upon the Holy Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost are not only changed forever, but they will be the ones through whom the Lord will begin to change the world, that is by His redeemed and transformed people living in obedience to His Gospel! Which is the only “formula” which makes for church peace and growth in every generation.
Now Matthew’s call by Jesus to follow Him in discipleship comes while he is sitting in the tax collector’s office and Jesus seeing him there then says to him, “follow Me.” Matthew then being chosen by Jesus shows us that Jesus does not respect cultural norms, beliefs, and practices, when these alienate someone from Him. As well with Jesus so unabashedly and publicly calling Matthew into His discipleship, we also see if a person’s heart is hungering for something more than what they have in this life, the Lord Jesus Christ will find them, and ask them to open their heart to Him, so that they may also follow Him in discipleship (Rev. 3:20). Now Matthews joy at being found by Jesus causes him to give a great supper for Jesus, and the other disciples. And so it is that Matthew having gladly received the Lord Jesus Christ, also unabashedly invites all of his friends and associates, who like himself, because of his occupation, are also “social outcasts.” Thus, Matthews only friends were other tax collectors and sinners. Nonetheless Jesus does shun such associations, but graciously attends with His disciples Matthews feast that he was giving for Him. Now it is while Jesus is at this feast that the scribes and Pharisees seeing Him there are outraged that a “rabbi” or teacher like Jesus would attend such a feast where tax collectors and sinners were assembled (see Matt. 9:9-13;). Therefore, when Jesus heard their evil and unjust outrage at Him, He said to them: … “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matt. 9:12-13 Thus the Gospel isn’t just for “righteous” people it is for all who see their need for God’s salvation from their sins and transgressions and come to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12). Now Matthew is not mentioned again in the N.T. by name except in the lists of the Apostles, and in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, where they refer to him in the passage cited here as Levi (see Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32). Nonetheless Matthews acute observation and scribal skills as a former tax collector will come into Christ’s service, for it will be this Matthew through whom God, by the Holy Spirit will give us the Gospel of Matthew, which is the first Gospel given in the New Testament! Jesus then not only calls sinners and social outcasts to follow Him in discipleship, but when they do He uses them mightily!
James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus. This James is listed ninth in the lists of the Apostles (NNIBD), but he is not mentioned in the Gospels outside of the lists of the Apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15), and so not much is known about him. He is mentioned as being an Apostle in the upper prayer room in Acts 1:13 and so he was an active Apostle in the early church after the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. As well some authorities recognize him as being the same persons as James the less (see Mark 15:40). Now Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus is the tenth Apostle listed in the Gospels (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18). He is assumed to be the same person as Judas the son of James in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13; and thus, the Judas (not Iscariot) asking Jesus in John 14:22 how Jesus will manifest Himself to His disciples and not the world.
Simon the Cananite, This Apostle Simon bears the designation, “the Cananite” to likely help distinguish him from Simon Peter (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). Now in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13 Luke the Gentile gives Simons designation as “the zealot” which maybe indicating that he was once a member of a fanatical Jewish sect called the zealots, a group which was fiercely opposed to all Roman rule of the Jews, and or, Gentile interference in the affairs of their lives.
Judas Iscariot: the betrayer and the traitor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:4). His father’s name was Simon. From the beginning Jesus knew this man would be the one who would betray Him (John 6:70-71). Nonetheless Judas seems to have earned the trust of the other Apostles since he was put in charge of the money box, from which he then stole what was put into it. Now we learn of Judas’ thievery when Mary six days before the Passover when our Lord and Savior would be crucified took a pound of very costly spikenard oil and then she first anoints Jesus feet with it, and then wipes His feet dry with her hair. However, upon seeing Mary’s gracious act, Judas Iscariot only sees the potential loss of profit for himself, and so he then turns against her and says to all there: “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” Now the Scripture says: “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” John 12:4-6 Judas Iscariot thus having set the disciples against her by saying as much, so as to conceal his own evil deeds and desires, only brings the Lord Jesus Christ to her defense who then says: … “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” John 12:7-8
Now it is after this rebuke by Jesus, that Judas Iscariot goes to chief priests and asks them what they will give him if He betrays Jesus to them, for which they promise him thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10; Luke 22:3-6). Thus, Judas Iscariot will be the man who will fulfill the Scripture which foretold that this would occur (Zech. 11:12). Therefore, it will be during the Passover Meal, the night before the Lord’s Crucifixion, (i.e. the Last Supper) that Jesus will reveal His betrayer to all. For it will be there that Jesus while sharing the Passover meal with His disciples will say that one of them will betray Him that night. And so, Jesus will reveal His betrayer by saying, that it will be the one who dips his bread in the dish with Him who will betray, Him, to which Jesus also pronounces a grave woe on the man who betrays Him (Matt. 26:20-25; Mark 14:17-21), and having done so, and handed Judas Iscariot the piece of bread that had been dipped, Satan then enters Judas, and with that Jesus says to him, “what you do, do quickly.” Judas then at Word of the Lord goes out to betray Him (see John 13:21-30). Therefore, it will be that night at the Garden of Gethsemane that Judas with a detachment of troops and officers, sent with him from the chief priests and Pharisees, along with a great multitude of armed men, will seek out Jesus (see Matt. 27:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-11). Judas’ last act then will be his own hanging, for having betrayed Jesus to the chief priests, and seen His arrest, and knowing that he has betrayed innocent blood to death, Judas will now try to return the silver to relieve his own deep guilt, however there is no relief for the one who betrays the Son of Man, (Matt. 26:24). And so, Judas finding no relief, and having tried to return the silver to the chief priests now throws down the thirty pieces of silver in the Temple and goes out and hangs himself, upon which another Scripture is fulfilled when the chief priests purchase a field to bury strangers in with the dirty money he has abandoned (see Matt. 27:3-10). And so, it will be with Judas’ departure, according to the Word of God, so shall Judas’ replacement come by the same. For it will be after the Lord Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion Death, Resurrection from the Dead three days later, and then His Ascension back to heaven forty days later, that the Apostle Peter being assembled with the other Apostles and early church disciples will propose Judas’ replacement (see Acts 1:15-26). Thus, two men are proposed as candidates to replace Judas, Joseph called Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23), for these also were with the Apostles, from the beginning of John’s Baptism to the Lord Jesus Christ’s Ascension, and so from them one must be chosen to be a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, and Matthias is chosen by God to be numbered with them through prayer and the casting of lots. Thus, we have the twelve Apostles of the church, who will also sit on twelve thrones judging Israel (Matt. 19:28).
Vs. 17-19 17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
Therefore having called His Twelve Apostles to Himself on the mountain top, the Lord Jesus Christ now comes down with them, and standing on some level ground with them, and with all of His disciples, “…a great multitude of people from Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. vs. 18-19And so it will ne after this event that the Gospel of Luke records the Lord Jesus Christ giving His disciples the beatitudes.
Scripture Quotations
New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson
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