TRAINING OF THE TWELVE

LUKE 6:12-19

Mk. 3:14 [ESV]. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

  I. Night of prayer in the mountain (6:12-16; discipleship)

Lk. 9:28 [ESV]. Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

Lk. 22:44 [ESV]. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

      A. J. Gordon said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”

      A. Call of disciples

Lk. 14:27 [ESV]. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

      James S. Stewart explained, “To begin with, they were simply His friends, remaining in their own homes. . . . The second stage came with the sundering of home ties and the relinquishing of ordinary occupations. Finally, there came the day when from the main body of the followers who had gathered around Him twelve were set apart for the closest intimacy and the most vital work.”

      B. Choice of disciples

Jn. 17:6 [ESV]. I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

1 Cor. 1:26-28 [ESV]. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

 27. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

 28. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

      C. Commission of disciples

Jn. 20:21 [ESV]. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

Eph. 2:20 [ESV]. built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Mt. 19:28 [ESV]. Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Rev. 21:14 [ESV]. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

      D. Character of disciples (selected before teaching the Sermon on the Mount)

      Jesus “made” disciples. Jesus pulled apart from the crowds that He might develop the character of those who would fulfill the Great Commission after Pentecost. Jesus called the disciples to sit at His feet before He sent them to take up the cross.

Lk. 9:23. And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

      What kind of men did Jesus choose?

•          Ordinary. Barclay wrote, “It is as if Jesus said, ‘Give me twelve ordinary men and I will change the world.’”

•          Diversity. Hobbs said, “In each of these men Jesus saw certain qualities, which if dedicated to Him, would make them valuable servants in the work which He was launching. . . .”

•          Complimentary. Bruce noted, “As a general rule, it is not good when all are leaders.”

•          Literary. Robert E. Coleman said, “Jesus saw in these simple men the potential of leadership for the Kingdom. They were indeed ‘unlearned and ignorant’ according to the world’s standard (Acts 4:13), but they were teachable.”

•          Risky. James S. Stewart wrote, “Christianity began as a young people’s movement.” David Smith said, “It was natural that He should choose as His Apostles young men still unenslaved by custom, still unpossessed by prejudice, still receptive of new truths, still sensitive to wonder and hope.”

          1. Peter (Mt. 4:18, 10:2, 14:28-29, 15:15, 16:16-18-22-23, 17:1-4-24-26, 18:21, 19:27, 26:33-35-37-40-58-69-73-75; Mk. 1:16-29-36, 3:16, 5:37, 8:29-32-33, 9:2-5, 10:28, 11:21, 13:3, 14:29-33-37-54-66-67-70-72, 16:7; Lk. 5:4-5-8-10, 6:14, 8:45-51, 9:20-28-32-33, 12:41, 18:28, 22:8-31-34-54-55-58, 22:60-62, 24:12-34; Jn. 1:41-42-44, 6:68, 13:6-8-9-24-36-37, 18:10-11-15-18-25-27, 20:2-4-6, 21:2-3-21:7-11-15-17-20-21; Acts 1:13-15, 2:14-37-38, 3:1-3-4-6-11-12, 4:8-13-19, 5:3-8-9-15-29, 8:14-20, 9:32-34-38-40, 10:5-9-13-14-17-19-21-23-25-26-32-34-44-46, 11:2-4-7-13, 12:3-5-7-11-13-14-16-18, 15:7-14; 1 Cor. 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5; Gal. 1:18, 2:7-9-11-14; 1 Pet. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1)

•          Brother named Andrew (Jn. 1:40)

•          Son of Jonah (Jn. 1:42)

•          City called Bethsaida (Jn. 1:44)

•          Fisherman (Mt. 4:18)

•          Ship owner (Lk. 5:3)

•          Married (Mk. 1:30; 1 Cor. 9:5)

•          House near a synagogue (Mk. 1:29)

•          Unschooled (Acts 4:13)

•          Galilean accent (Mt. 26:73)

•          Strong frame (Jn. 21:11)

•          Leader (Jn. 21:3)

•          Fighter (Jn. 18:10)

•          Jew (Acts 10:14)

•          Eyewitness (1 Cor. 15:5)

•          Apostle (Gal. 2:8)

•          Pillar (Gal. 2:9)

•          Elder (1 Pet. 5:1)

•          Preacher behind Mark’s gospel (1 Pet. 5:13–harder on Peter )

•          Writer (1 Pet. 1:1)

•          Friend of Paul (2 Pet. 3:16)

•          Martyr (Jn. 21:19)

•          Heaven (Mt. 19:28; Rev. 21:14)

Call to Follow

•          Heard about the Messiah from brother Andrew (Jn. 1:41)

•          Called to follow Jesus (Mt. 4:18; Mk. 1:16)

•          Cast the net in the miraculous catch (Lk. 5:4)

•          Interceded for wife's mother (Mk. 1:29)

•          Followed Jesus in Galilee (Mk. 1:36)

•          Chosen as a disciple (Mt. 10:2; Mk. 3:16; Lk. 6:14)

Confession of Faith

•          Entered the home of the girl Jesus raised (Mk. 5:37; Lk. 8:45)

•          Confessed discipleship to Christ (Jn. 6:68)

•          Walked on the water (Mt. 14:28)

•          Confessed Jesus as Christ (Mt. 16:16; Mk. 8:29; Lk. 9:20)

Confusion of Face

•          Asked meaning of parable about the blind (Mt. 15:15)

•          Asked meaning of parable about the watchful servant (Lk. 12:41)

•          Witnessed the Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1; Mk. 9:2; Lk. 9:28)

•          Paid the temple tax (Mt. 17:24)

•          Asked how often to forgive (Mt. 18:21)

•          Asked the reward of following (Mt. 19:27; Mk. 10:28; Lk. 18:28)

•          Spotted the cursed fig tree (Mk. 11:21)

•          Asked the signs of the Kingdom (Mk. 13:3)

•          Sent to prepare the Passover meal (Lk. 22:8)

•          Told Jesus not to wash feet (Jn. 13:6)

•          Asked who would betray Jesus (Jn. 13:24)

Crisis of Failure

•          Boasted of commitment (Mt. 26:33; Mk. 14:29; Lk. 22:31; Jn. 13:36)

•          Slept in Gethsemane (Mt. 26:37; Mk. 14:33)

•          Struck Malchus with the sword (Jn. 18:10)

•          Denied knowing Christ (Mt. 26:58; Mk. 14:54; Lk. 22:54; Jn. 18:15)

Comfort in Forgiveness

•          Ran to the empty tomb (Lk. 24:12; Jn. 20:2)

•          Met the resurrected Jesus in Galilee (Mk. 16:7)

•          Went back to the fishing nets (Jn. 21:2)

•          Commanded to "feed the lambs" (Jn. 21:15)

      Jesus changed Peter from sinking sand to a solid rock. Jesus called Peter to follow because He saw what He would make of Peter. He began to shape the sand into a living stone. G. Campbell Morgan stated, “Rock is really the result of processes. . . .” Jesus never stopped believing in what Peter would become.

      Alexander MacLaren said, “That change of name implies Christ’s power and promise to bestow a new character. . . . And not until his self-confidence had been knocked out of him, and he had learned humility by falling; not until he had been beaten from all his presumption, and tamed down, and sobered and steadied by years of difficulty and responsibilities did he become the rock that Christ meant him to be.”

      What happened to Peter?

•          Foxe said, “Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.”

•          David Smith wrote, “If tradition be true, he died a martyr’s death at Rome in the last year of Nero’s bloody reign.”

          2. Andrew (Mt. 4:18, 10:2; Mk. 1:16-29, 3:18, 13:3; Lk. 6:14; Jn. 1:41-44, 6:8, 12:22)

      Jesus changed Andrew from a fisherman to a fisher of men.

•          Robertson said, “Andrew (man). . . and Philip. . . are both Greek names.”

•          Andrew was a fisherman with his brother Simon Peter from the city of Bethsaida in Galilee.

•          Andrew heard John the Baptist call Jesus the Lamb of God and sought Christ (Jn. 1:36-37).

•          Vincent said, “He was one of the two who came earliest to Christ. . . and hence is always styled by the Greek fathers. . . first called.”

•          Andrew brought Peter to Christ through personal witness (Jn. 1:41). Andrew lived in Peter’s shadow. Stewart said, “Without Andrew there might never have been a Peter in Christian history at all.” G. Campbell Morgan said, “The first need of the Lord is still the strong, quiet soul who is content to remain largely out of sight.”

•          Andrew, the soul-winner (Jn. 1:40, 6:8, 12:22), brought the lad to Jesus whose bread and fish fed five thousand men (not counting women and children). Later, Andrew along with Philip brought Greek speaking Jews to Jesus.

•          Stewart wrote, “Wherever Andrew appears on the Gospel scene, he is busy introducing someone else to Jesus.”

•          Crucified with cords, 30 Nov. 69

•          Foxe said, “He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's Cross.”

•          David Smith wrote, “It is said that he hung alive on the cross for two days teaching the people all the while.”

          3. James (Mt. 4:21, 10:2, 17:1; Mk. 1:19, 3:17, 5:37, 9:2, 10:35-41, 13:3, 14:33, Lk. 5:10, 6:14-15-16, 8:51, 9:28-54; Acts 1:13, 12:2)

      Jesus changed James from a son of thunder to a lightning rod (first martyr of the disciples).

•          James came from the Galilean town of Bethsaida, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee not far from Capernaum and Chorazin.

•          James’ family possessed some means. James’ father, Zebedee, was a fisherman with hired servants (Mk. 1:20). James’ mother, Salome, ministered to Jesus with her substance (Lk. 8:3) and attended His crucifixion (Mk. 15:40).

•          Jesus called James while he fished (Mt. 4:21) with his brother John (Mt. 10:2).

•          Jesus called the brothers the “sons of thunder” (Mk. 3:17).

•          James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on Samaritans who did not receive Jesus (Lk. 9:54).

•          James and John displeased the other disciples when they asked for a place of privilege in the Kingdom (Mk. 10:35-41).

•          Jesus chose James to with Him at special moments. James entered the home of the ruler’s daughter (Mk. 5:37), went to the mount of Transfiguration (Lk. 9:28), and accompanied Jesus in Gethsemane (Mk. 14:33).

•          Herod the king slew James with sword (Acts 12:2).

•          Foxe related (also in Eusebius, H. E., 23. 9), “The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. These events took place A.D. 44.”

          4. John (Mt. 4:21, 10:2; Mk. 1:20, 3:17, 5:37 9:38, 10:35-41, 13:3, 14:33; Lk. 9:28-54; Jn. 1:35, 13:23, 14:23, 18:15-16, 19:25-27, 20:2-4-8, 21:7-20; Acts 1:13, 3:1-11, 4:13-19, 8:14, 12:2; Gal. 2:9; Rev. 1:1-4-9, 21:2, 22:8)

      Jesus changed John from a tender warrior to a spiritual writer (five new testament books).

•          Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 230) wrote about the Gospel of John, “Last of all John, perceiving that the bodily facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends, and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel” (Eusebius, H.E. 6.14.).

•          John the Apostle wrote the gospel that readers might believe (ninety-eight times) that Jesus is the Christ (Jn. 20:31). Robertson said, “He writes to win others to like faith in Christ.”

•          John’s life spanned the beginning of the first century unto the beginning of the second.

•          John came from the Galilean town of Bethsaida, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee not far from Capernaum and Chorazin.

•          John’s family possessed some means. John’s father, Zebedee, was a fisherman with hired servants (Mk. 1:20). John’s mother, Salome, ministered to Jesus with her substance (Lk. 8:3) and attended His crucifixion (Mk. 15:40). John seemed to have his own house (Jn. 19:27).

•          In the beginning John followed John the Baptist (Jn. 1:35).

•          Jesus called John while he fished (Mt. 4:21) with his brother James (Mt. 10:2).

•          Jesus called the brothers the “sons of thunder” (Mk. 3:17). John reacted passionately against those following Jesus but not with the Twelve (Mk. 9:38). James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on Samaritans who did not receive Jesus (Lk. 9:54).

•          James and John displeased the other disciples when they asked for a place of privilege in the Kingdom (Mk. 10:35-41).

•          John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn. 13:23), withheld his own name when he referred to himself (Jn. 14:23, 18:15, 19:26, 20:2-4-8, 21:20). G. Campbell Morgan noted, “He never names himself in the Gospel.”

•          Jesus chose John to be with Him at special moments. John entered the home of the ruler’s daughter (Mk. 5:37), went to the mount of Transfiguration (Lk. 9:28), and accompanied Jesus in Gethsemane (Mk. 14:33).

•          John asked Jesus about the stones of the temple during the Passion week (Mk. 13:3).

•          John leaned upon Jesus during the Last Supper (Jn. 13:23).

•          John followed Jesus into the palace of the High Priest and gained entrance for Peter (Jn. 18:15-16).

•          John stood by the cross with the mother of Jesus and brought her under his care (Jn. 19:25-27).

•          John ran with Peter to the sepulcher on the morning of the resurrection and entered the empty tomb (Jn. 20:2-8).

•          John recognized the risen Lord standing upon the shore (Jn. 21:7). Peter asked of John, “Lord, what shall this man do?” (Jn. 21:20).

•          John gathered with the 120 in the Upper Room awaiting Pentecost (Acts 1:13).

•          John accompanied Peter at the hour of prayer and raised the lame man in Jesus’ name (Acts 3:1-11). He boldly proclaimed the gospel in response to threats (Acts 4:13-19).

•          John and Peter represented Jerusalem when word reached the church that Samaritans received the gospel at the preaching of Philip (Acts 8:14).

•          Herod the king slew John’s brother James (Acts 12:2).

•          Paul referred to John as one of the pillars of the church with James and Cephas (Gal. 2:9).

•          John later followed Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Irenaeus (late 2nd century) said, “John, the disciple of the Lord, who leaned on His breast also published the gospel while living at Ephesus in Asia” (Adv. Haer. 3.1,3).

•          Irenaeus placed John in Ephesus until the time of Trajan (reigned A. D. 98-117): Against Heresies, 3, 3, 4. “Then, again, the Church in Ephesus, founded by Paul, and having John remaining among them permanently until the times of Trajan, is a true witness of the tradition of the apostles.”

•          Domitian banished John to the isle of Patmos (Rev. 1:1-4-9, 21:2, 22:8). He later returned under Nerva (A.D. 96-98).

•          Jerome placed the date of John’s death sixty-eight years after the death of Christ.

•          The Apostle John survived as the last one of the twelve disciples.

•          Jerome told of the last words of John. Those around John asked him if the disciple had any last message to leave them. John repeatedly said, “Little children, love one another.” When asked if John had anything else to say. John said, “It is enough for it is the Lord’s command.”

•          Polycrates (A.D. 190) said, “John, that rested on the bosom of our Lord, who was a priest that bore the sacerdotal plate, and martyr and teacher, he, also, rests at Ephesus” (Eusebius, H.E. 3.31).

•          Foxe said, “The ‘beloved disciple,’ was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.”

      5. Philip (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:14; Jn. 1:43-44-45-46-48, 6:5-7, 12:21-22, 14:8-9; Acts 1:13)

      Jesus changed Philip from task-orientation to theological observation.

•          Philip always came fifth in the lists of disciples.

•          Vincent said, “Another Greek name, meaning fond of horses. In ecclesiastical legend he is said to have been a chariot-driver. “

•          According to Eusebius, Philip had a wife and children (H. E., 3. 30).

•          Bruce described, “Philip. . . the earnest inquirer after truth, who has thoroughly searched the Scriptures and made himself acquainted with the Messiah of promise and prophecy. . . .”

•          Followed Jesus from Bethsaida in Galilee, the city of Andrew and Peter (Jn. 1:44)

•          Found Nathanael and invited him to Jesus (Jn. 1:45)

•          Figured the cost of feeding the 5,000 (Jn. 6:7)

•          Introduced Hellenistic Jews to Jesus (Jn. 12:21-22)

•          Slow to learn that to see Jesus meant to see the Father (Jn. 14:8-9)

•          David Smith said, “He was somewhat slow of heart and dull in spiritual understanding. . . . It would seem that Philip, being of a practical turn. . . .” Eusebius quoted Polycrates (bishop of Ephesus) concerning Philip’s death (H. E., 3. 31): "For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the last day, at the coming of the Lord, when he shall come with glory from heaven and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who sleeps in Hierapolis. . . ."

•          Foxe said, “He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.”

          6. Bartholomew (Nathanael–Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:14; Jn. 1:45-46-47-48-49, 21:2; Acts 1:13)

      Jesus changed Nathanael from devotional reading to divine revelation.

•          Bartholomew– “a Hebrew name - Bar Tolmai, son of Tolmai”

•          Robertson wrote, “Bartholomew. . . is the Nathanael of John’s Gospel (Jn. 21:2). He probably had both names.”

•          Matthew, Mark, and Luke paired Bartholomew with Philip in the lists of disciples.

•          John told that Nathanael came from Cana in Galilee (Jn. 21:2).

•          Bruce wrote, “The words suggest the idea of one whose heart was pure; in whom was no doublemindedness, impure motive, pride, or unholy passion: a man of gentle, meditative spirit, in whose mind heaven lay reflected like the blue sky in a still lake on a calm summer day. He was a man much addicted to habits of devotion: he had been engaged in spiritual exercises under cover of a fig-tree just before he met with Jesus.”

•          Watched for Christ in Scripture (Jn. 1:45)

•          Won to Christ by Philip (Jn. 1:46)

•          Worthy of compliment from Christ (Jn. 1:47 (MSG). When Jesus saw him coming he said, "There's a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body."

•          Worship seen by Christ (Jn. 1:48)

•          Willingly confessed Lordship of Christ (Jn. 1:49)

•          Witnessed greater works of Christ (Jn. 1:51)

•          Foxe said, “Preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.”

          7. Matthew (Levi–Mt. 9:9, 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Acts 1:13)

      Jesus changed Matthew from allegiance to Caesar to abandonment to the cross.

•          Robertson said, “Matthew is a Hebrew name meaning gift of God. . . .”

•          Matthew understood the cost of discipleship (Lk. 5:27).

•          Robertson noted, “He left his profitable business for the service of Christ.”

•          Matthew held a celebration of salvation and invited other tax collectors and sinners to meet Jesus (Lk. 5:32).

•          Vincent wrote, “He had been a publican or tax-collector under the Roman government; an office despised by the Jews because of the extortions which commonly attended it, and because it was a galling token of subjection to a foreign power. When called by Christ, Matthew forsook at once his office and his old name of Levi. Tradition records of him that he lived the life of an ascetic, on herbs and water.

•          Matthew became a gospel writer. Matthew, writing before A.D. 70, showed Jesus as the Messiah. Matthew wrote for a Hebrew audience to evangelize Jews and confirm their faith. Matthew organized his gospel around the five discourses of Jesus.

•          Foxe said, “Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.”

          8. Thomas (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Jn. 11:16, 14:5, 20:24-26-27-28-29, 21:2; Acts 1:13)

      Jesus changed Thomas from a confession of doubt to a confession of deity.

•          Vincent wrote, “A Hebrew name, meaning twin, and translated by the Greek Didymus. . . .”

•          Willing to go to Jerusalem and die with Jesus (Jn. 11:16)

•          Asked the way to the Father’s house (Jn. 14:5)

•          Stewart noted Thomas’ “temperament, in which a touch of melancholy was mingled.”

•          David Smith said, “His predominant characteristic was a disposition to look always at the dark side and hug despair.”

•          Thomas, the absent disciple, could not be convinced of the resurrection. He discredited eyewitnesses (Jn. 20:18) and demanded evidence (see to believe).

•          Eight days later Jesus gave Thomas living proof (nail-scarred hand– Lk. 24:39-40; bleeding side–Jn. 19:34, 20:20-25-27) of the bodily resurrection (1 Jn. 1:1). He then confessed the one true creed of the church–“Jesus is Lord” (Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 8:6, 12:3; Phil. 2:11).

•          In this confession, Thomas affirmed the deity of Christ–Jesus is God (cf. Jn. 1:1; Rom. 9:5; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:8; 1 Jn. 5:20-21).

•          Foxe said, “Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.”

          9. James of Alphaeus (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15)

      Jesus changed James the Less from obscurity to eternity.

•          James was the son of Alphaeus or Clopas (Jn. 19:25).

•          James came ninth in each list.

•          David Smith said, “Tradition says that James also had been a tax-gatherer. . . .”

•          Edersheim said that according to the testimony of Hegesippus James was the brother of Simon the Zealot and Judas Lebbaeus.

•          Foxe said, “[Matthew] wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less.”

          10. Simon the Zealot (Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Acts 1:13)

      Jesus changed Simon from a political revolutionary to a kingdom citizen.

•          Edersheim said, “His position in the Apostolic Catalogue, and the testimony of Hegesippus, seem to point him out as the son of Clopas, and brother of James, and of Judas Lebbaeus.”

•          Vincent wrote, “Cananaean. The word has nothing to do with Canaan. In Lk. 6:15; Acts1:13, the same apostle is called Zelotes. Both terms indicate his connection with the Galilaean Zealot party, a sect which stood for the recovery of Jewish freedom and the maintenance of distinctive Jewish institutions. From the Hebrew. . . , zealous . . . by which this sect was denoted.”

•          Bruce wrote, “This epithet Zelotes connects Simon unmistakably with the famous party which rose in rebellion under Judas in the days of the taxing, some twenty years before Christ’s ministry began, when Judea and Samaria were brought under the direct government of Rome, and the census of the population was taken with a view to subsequent taxation.”

•          Vincent included, “No name is more striking in the list than that of Simon the Zealot, for to none of the twelve could the contrast be so vivid between their former and their new position. What revolution of thought and heart could be greater than that which had thus changed into a follower of Jesus one of the fierce war-party of the day, which looked on the presence of Rome in the Holy Land as treason against the majesty of Jehovah, a party who were fanatical in their Jewish strictures and exclusiveness ?” (Geikie, “Life and Words of Christ”).

•          David Smith wrote, “It is a striking evidence of the wideness of the Lord’s sympathy that Simon the Zealot should have been enrolled with the tax-gatherers Matthew and James in the apostolic brotherhood. . . .”

•          Foxes wrote, “Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, A.D. 74.”

          11. Thaddaeus (Judas of James–Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:16; Jn. 14:22; Acts 1:13)

      Jesus changed Thaddaeus from hope in Israel to a home in heaven.

•          Edersheim wrote, “Judas is designated by Matthew as Lebbaeus, from the Hebrew. . . heart, and is also named, both by him and by Mark, Thadaeus - a term. . . from ‘praise.’ In that case both Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus would point to the heartiness and the Thanksgiving of the Apostle, and hence to his character. Luke simply designates him Judas of James, which means that he was the brother. . . of James. Thus his real name would have been Judas Lebbaeus, and his surname Thaddaeus.”

•          Jn. 14:22-23 [ESV]. Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

•          David Smith said, “Judas cherished the same secular ideal of the Messianic Kingdom as his fellow-apostles and the rest of the Jews. He was dreaming of an earthly throne and expecting that Jesus would presently ‘manifest Himself to the world. . . .’”

•          Eusebius (c. 260-341; Bishop of Caesarea, A.D. 315), H. E., 2. 1, wrote, “At that time also the promise of our Saviour to the king of the Osrhoenians was fulfilled. For Thomas, under a divine impulse, sent Thaddeus to Edessa as a preacher and evangelist of the religion of Christ. . . .”

•          Foxe said, “He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72. “

•          Luther called him. . . the good Judas.

          12. Judas the Traitor (Ps. 41:9, 69:25, 109:4-8; Zech. 11:12; Mt. 10:4, 26:14-16-21-23-25-46-47-48-50-64, 27:3-4-5-6-7-8-9; Mk. 3:19, 14:10-11-18-20-21-42-43-44; Lk. 6:16, 22:3-4-5-6-21-47-48; Jn. 6:64-70-71, 12:4-6, 13:2-11-21-27-29, 17:12, 18:2-5; Acts 1:16-17-18, 21, 25)

      Jesus could not change Judas from a traitor into a friend.

•          Judas Iscariot (place of Kerioth on the southern border of Judah–only disciple not a Galilean; Jos. 15:25)

•          Always listed last in the names of the twelve (Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:19; Lk. 6:16)

•          One of the twelve (Mt. 26:14-21-47; Mk. 14:10-18-20-43; Lk. 22:3-47; Jn. 6:70-71, 12:4, 13:21; Acts 1:17)

•          Betrayed Jesus (Mt. 10:4, 26:16-21-23-25-46-48, 27:3-4; Mk. 3:19, 14:10-11-18-21-42; Lk. 22:4-6-21-48; Jn. 6:71, 12:4, 13:2-21, 18:2-5)

•          Known by Jesus (Jn. 6:64-70-71, 13:11)

•          Prophesied in Scripture (Ps. 41:9, 109:4; Jn. 17:12)

•          Thief (Mt. 26:16; Jn. 12:6, 13:29)

•          Undetected as a traitor (Jn. 13:29)

•          Filled with Satan (Lk. 22:3; Jn. 13:2)

•          Exposed and expelled by Jesus at the Passover (Mt. 26:25; Jn. 13:27)

•          Sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Ex. 21:32; Zech. 11:12; Mt. 26:15, 27:3-5-6-9; Mk. 14:11; Lk. 22:5)

•          Guide to those who arrested Jesus (Mt. 26:46-47; Mk. 14:43-44; Lk. 22:47; Jn. 18:5; Acts 1:16)

•          Called a friend by Jesus (Mt. 26:50)

•          Betrayed with the sign of a kiss (Mt. 26:48; Mk. 14:44 ; Lk. 22:47-48)

•          Ps. 41:9. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me.

•          Filled with regret (Mt. 27:3)

•          Committed suicide (Mt. 27:5; Acts 1:18)

•          Lost in eternity (Mt. 26:64; Mk. 14:21; Jn. 17:12; Acts 1:25)

•          Jn. 17:12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

•          The priests purchased a field of blood in Judas’ name with the silver of betrayal (Mt. 27:7-8). After Judas committed suicide, he fell face first and the insides burst open–“to crack” (Mt. 9:17). Peter said that Judas went to his place (peculiarly his–gehenna) and received the reward of iniquity (2 Pet. 2:13-15).

•          Peter stated the necessity of replacing Judas (Acts 1:16, 21) and adding to the eleven (Mt. 28:16; Lk. 24:9-33; Acts 1:26, 2:14). Peter defended the necessity of choosing a successor for Judas (overseer–1 Tim. 3:1) by explaining two Messianic Psalms (Ps. 69:25, 109:8).

      A. B. Bruce said, “Who was ever better circumstanced for becoming good than Judas? Yet the very influences which ought to have fostered goodness served only to provoke into activity latent evil.”

      David Smith said, “Judas was not chosen because he would turn traitor, but because he had in him at the outset the possibility of higher things.”

 II. Day of power in the valley (6:17-19; evangelism)

      Jesus brought the disciples down from the mountain into a sea of multitudes who needed the gospel.