Luke 6:12-16
The Twelve Apostles
Read the passage
12In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.
13When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles:
14Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
15Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;
16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus spends the night in prayer to God. When daylight comes, he calls his disciples and chooses twelve, naming them apostles. The group receives its calling from him; its members do not appoint themselves to represent him.
Luke gives their names, including brothers Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John, and men distinguished by family names or descriptions. These are particular people, not an anonymous crowd. Each is called to serve as part of the group Jesus has chosen.
The number also belongs to Jesus' purpose. Later he will speak to his disciples about judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30). This chosen group has a role in his work for God's people, larger than private friendship with a teacher.
The list ends with Judas Iscariot, whom Luke identifies as the man who became a traitor. The reader knows this painful outcome from the start. An honored place among the apostles did not make betrayal impossible. The calling deserves gratitude and responsibility, never the assumption that a position removes the need for faithfulness.
Questions
1 What did Jesus do before choosing the apostles?
AnswerHe went to the mountain and spent the night in prayer to God.
2 From whom did he choose the Twelve?
AnswerHe called his disciples and selected twelve of them, whom he designated as apostles.
3 Which brother of Simon Peter is named with him?
AnswerAndrew. Luke names individual people in the group rather than telling us only how many were chosen.
4 What does Luke tell us about Judas Iscariot?
AnswerHe became a traitor. His place in this chosen group did not mean he would remain faithful to Jesus.
What This Means for Us
Responsibilities that affect other people deserve prayer and care. We can make time to seek God's wisdom before accepting a role or entrusting one to someone else. And once a person has a position, we should continue to care about their conduct. A title in a church or a respected family cannot replace actually following Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray before we choose and to welcome people whose backgrounds differ from ours. Give leaders humility and accountability, and keep our household faithful when trust is tested. Amen.