Mark 3:13-19
Twelve Names
Read the passage
13Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him.
14He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach,
15and to have authority to drive out demons.
16These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter),
17James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,
19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus goes up the mountain and calls those He wants, and they come. He appoints twelve as apostles: they are to be with Him, to be sent to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Their work begins with His choice and His provision.
Being with Jesus belongs to their appointment. They will learn from the One whose message they carry, rather than act as independent teachers with a program of their own. The authority to confront evil is given; it is not a power they manufacture.
Mark names the men, including Simon, whom Jesus names Peter, and James and John, whom He calls Sons of Thunder. He also names another James, son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot. The list lets us follow particular people as they learn, serve and struggle in the chapters ahead.
The list ends with Judas Iscariot and identifies him as the betrayer. Mark tells us that painful fact at the beginning of the group’s story. A place among the twelve will not make betrayal impossible or turn their service into a record of faultless men.
Jesus is gathering witnesses who will live with Him and carry His message. The future of the mission rests on Him, even as the list introduces followers whose weakness the Gospel will make plain.
Questions
1 Who takes the initiative in appointing the twelve?
AnswerJesus calls the people He wants and appoints them. Their service begins with His choice, not with a claim that they already possess the authority needed.
2 What three purposes does Mark give for their appointment?
AnswerThey are to accompany Jesus, be sent out to preach and have authority to drive out demons. Their fellowship with Him belongs together with the work He gives.
3 What warning is already present in Judas’s name?
AnswerHe is identified as the one who will betray Jesus. Holding a place in the group does not make a person incapable of turning against the Lord.
4 How can our service remain connected to learning from Jesus?
AnswerWe can make time for His Word and prayer, and remain willing to be corrected. Serving in His name should deepen our attention to Him rather than become a reason we are too busy to listen.
What This Means for Us
Jesus calls the twelve to be with Him and to be sent. Those purposes belong together. We can become so occupied with useful tasks that we stop listening to the Lord whose work we claim to do. Return to His teaching with a willingness to learn, not merely to find material for someone else.
The named followers also remind us that ministry is entrusted to particular people, not an ideal group without weakness. We need humility, accountability and the grace of Christ. A role can give us opportunities to serve, but it cannot replace faithfulness to Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling people to be with You and carry Your word. Keep our service close to Your teaching. Give us humility about our weakness and faithfulness in the responsibilities You entrust to us. Amen.