SPECIAL TOPIC: CHART OF APOSTLES’ NAMES
Matthew 10:2-4 |
Mark 3:16-19 |
Luke 6:14-16 |
Acts 1:12-18 |
|
1st Group |
Simon (Peter)
Andrew James John |
Simon (Peter) James John Andrew |
Simon (Peter) Andrew James John |
Peter
John James Andrew |
2nd Group |
Philip
Thomas Matthew |
Philip
Matthew Thomas |
Philip
Matthew Thomas |
Philip
Thomas
Matthew |
3rd Group |
James (son of Alphaeus) Thaddaeus Simon Judas |
James (son of Alphaeus) Thaddaeus Simon Judas |
James (son of Alphaeus) Simon Judas Judas |
James (son of Alphaeus) Simon Judas |
From notes at Luke 6:14:
▣ “Simon, whom He also named Peter” There are
three other listings of the twelve apostles. Peter is always first; Judas
Iscariot is always last. There are three groups of four which remain the same,
even though the order of names within the groups is often reversed (cf. Matt.
10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Acts 1:13).
▣ “Andrew” The
Greek term means “manly.” From John 1:29-42 we learn that Andrew was a disciple
of John the Baptist and that he introduced his brother, Peter, to Jesus.
▣ “James” This is
the Hebrew name “Jacob” (BDB 784), which means “supplanter,” cf Gen. 25:26).
There are two men named James in the list of the Twelve. One is the brother of
John (cf. Mark 3:17) and part of the inner circle (i.e., Peter, James, and
John). This is the brother of John.
▣ “John” This was
James’ brother and a member of the inner circle of disciples. He wrote five NT
books and lived longer than any other Apostle.
▣ “Philip” The Greek name means “fond of
horses.” His call is recorded in John 1:43-51.
▣ “Bartholomew” The name means “son of
Ptolemy.” He may be the Nathanael of the Gospel of John (cf. John 1:45-49;
21:20).
▣ “Matthew” The Hebrew name (from the
Mattithiah, cf. 1 Chr. 9:31; 15:18,21; 16:5; 25:3,21; Neh. 8:4) means “gift
of YHWH.” This is referring to Levi (cf. Mark. 2:13-17).
▣ “Thomas” The
Hebrew name means “twin” or Didymus (cf. John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2).
▣ “James the son
of Alphaeus” This is the Hebrew name “Jacob.” There are two men named
James in the list of the Twelve. One is the brother of John (cf. Luke 6:17) and
part of the inner circle (i.e., Peter, James, and John). This one is known as
“James the less” (cf. Mark 3:17).
▣
“Simon who was called the Zealot” The Greek text of Mark has “Cananaean”
(also Matt. 10:4). Mark, whose Gospel was written to Romans, may not have wanted
to use the political “hot button” word, zealot, which referred to a Jewish
anti-Roman guerilla movement. Luke does call him by this term (cf. Acts 1:13).
The term Cananaean has several derivatives.
1. from the area of Galilee known as Cana
2. from the OT use of Canaanite as merchant
3. from a general designation as a native of Canaan.
If Luke’s designation is right, then zealot is from the Aramaic term for
“enthusiast” (cf. Acts 1:17). Jesus’ chosen twelve disciples were from several
different and competing groups. Simon was a member of a nationalistic group
which advocated the violent overthrow of Roman authority. Normally this Simon
and Levi (i.e., Matthew, the tax collector) would not have been in the same room
with each other.
▣ “Judas the son
of James” He was also called “Lebbeus” (cf. Matt. 10:3) or “Judas” (cf.
John 14:22). Both Thaddaeus and Lebbeus mean “beloved child.”
▣
“Judas Iscariot” There are two Simons, two Jameses, and two Judases. The
name Iscariot has two possible derivations:
1. man of Kerioth (a city) in Judah (cf. Jos. 15:23, which
would mean he was the only Judean)
2. his father’s name (cf. John 6:71; 13:2,26)
3. “dagger man” or assassin, which would mean he also was a
zealot, like Simon
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