How many apostles did Jesus choose?
BREAKDOWN
Jesus Christ chose twelve apostles during His earthly ministry, a number deeply significant in Jewish tradition, reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel. This selection was not arbitrary but a deliberate act to establish the foundational leadership of His nascent movement, which would ultimately become the Church. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke each record the calling of these twelve men, often after a night of prayer by Jesus, as seen in Luke 6:12-13, "It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles." Their primary role was to be with Him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons and heal illnesses (Mark 3:14-15). They were His closest companions, witnesses to His miracles, teachings, death, and resurrection, and were entrusted with carrying His message to the world.
KEY TERMS
Jesus Christ
The central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God and the Messiah.
apostles
A group of twelve men personally chosen by Jesus to be His closest disciples and to spread His message.
twelve tribes of Israel
The traditional divisions of the ancient Israelite nation, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob.
Judas Iscariot
One of the original twelve apostles who betrayed Jesus Christ.
Matthias
The man chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle after Jesus' ascension.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Luke 6:12-13
It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Mark 3:14-15
He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach, and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.
Matthew 10:1-4
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Acts 1:15-26
In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples, and said (and there was a gathering of about one hundred twenty people together), 'Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry. Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. It became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’ For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell in it,’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’ 'Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.' They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also named Justus, and Matthias. They prayed, and said, 'You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.' They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Revelation 21:14
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
ἀπόστολος
apostles
Definitionone sent forth, an envoy, a messenger
μαθητής
disciples
Definitiona learner, pupil, student
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The selection of the twelve apostles occurred within the socio-religious landscape of first-century Roman-occupied Judea and Galilee. At this time, Jewish society was deeply rooted in the Law and the Prophets, with a strong expectation for a Messiah who would liberate Israel from foreign rule and restore its glory. Discipleship (talmidim) was a common practice, where students would gather around a rabbi, learning from his teachings and emulating his lifestyle. However, Jesus' selection of 'apostles' distinguished them from ordinary disciples; these were not merely learners but 'sent ones' with a specific divine commission. The number twelve resonated powerfully with the historical memory of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the reconstitution of God's people and the establishment of a new covenant community, laying a foundational claim that Jesus' movement was the true continuation and fulfillment of Israel's prophetic hope, rather than an entirely new religion separate from Judaism.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Theologically, the selection of the twelve apostles represents a profound act of divine election and commissioning. Their number symbolizes both continuity with God's ancient covenant with the twelve tribes of Israel and the establishment of a new, foundational community for the kingdom of God under Christ. They were chosen to be authoritative witnesses to Jesus' redemptive work, receiving both spiritual power and the mandate to proclaim the Gospel and plant the Church. Their role underscores the principle of delegated authority, where Christ empowers specific individuals to extend His mission, laying the groundwork for the future church leadership and the global dissemination of the Christian faith.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Rabbinic Tradition) (Jewish)
While Rashi does not comment on New Testament apostles, the significance of the number twelve in Jewish thought, frequently referenced by him in Exodus, Numbers, and Joshua, underscores the principle of comprehensive representation. The twelve tribes were the entirety of Israel, thus for Jesus to choose twelve suggests a similar total representation for His new spiritual 'Israel'.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Henry emphasizes that Jesus chose these twelve after a night of prayer, highlighting the divine wisdom and deliberate nature of their selection. He notes their purpose was 'to be with him' (for instruction and observation) and 'that he might send them forth to preach' (for mission), underscoring both their inward spiritual formation and outward evangelistic task.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin highlights the apostles' authority and supernatural power—'to cast out unclean spirits, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease' (Matthew 10:1)—as evidence of their divine commission. He sees them as heralds of the new covenant, whose ministry was confirmed by signs and wonders.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine saw the twelve apostles as a symbol of the Church's universality and its foundation in the teachings of Christ. He linked the number twelve to the four cardinal directions (representing the spread of the Gospel) multiplied by the Trinity (representing divine authority), signifying a complete and worldwide mission.