Keraia
Mark 3

Mark 3:18

The Twelve Apostles · Mark 3:13–19
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Translations

Modern
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,
Traditional
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Literal
…and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananean,
Latin
…et Andream, et Philippum, et Bartholomæum, et Matthæum, et Thomam, et Jacobum Alphæi, et Thaddæum, et Simonem Cananæum,

Interlinear

Greek
English
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,

Notes

Mark 3:18

Philip is fifth on all four lists of the twelve disciples (Matthew 10:1–4; Luke 6:12–16; Acts 1:13). James son of Alphaeus (not the son of Zebedee and brother of John) is always ninth. Bartholomew might be Nathanael (John 1:43–51). Matthew is probably Levi, the tax collector (Mark 2:14; Matthew 9:9). Thomas is also called Didymus (a Greek word meaning “twin,” John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2). The New Testament does not explain this name further. Thaddaeus is missing from Luke’s list (Matthew 10:3). He might be Judas, the son of James (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13).

The presence of a government official (Matthew) and an anti-government activist (Simon the Zealot) among the twelve apostles shows the ability of Jesus to change people and overcome the natural hostility between them.

Mark 3:16–18

  • Simon and Andrew were brothers, just like James and John (1:16–20).

  • Peter is the Greek version of the Aramaic word kepa’, which means “rock.”

Mark 3:13–19

The scene shifts to a mountain. Mark describes how Jesus called his disciples to come to him. This is similar to God's call to Old Testament prophets (Exodus 3:14–22; 1 Samuel 3:4–14; Jeremiah 1:5–19).

Theme notes and profiles

Matthew (Levi) Thomas Following Jesus

Events

Parallels

Matthew 10:1–4 Luke 6:12–16

People

Alphaeus: Father of apostles James and Matthew (Levi) Andrew: Apostle, brother of Simon Peter Bartholomew: One of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ James: James "the Less", son of Alphaeus Judas: One of the twelve apostles of Jesus Matthew: Apostle, tax collector, author of the Gospel of Matthew Philip: One of the twelve apostles of Jesus Simon: One of the twelve apostles, also called the Zealot Thomas: One of Jesus' twelve disciples, known for doubting Zealot: A member of a Jewish political faction

Glossary

Alphaeus Andrew, the Apostle Apostle, Apostleship Bartholomew, the Apostle Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) James (Person) Jesus Christ Judas Mark, Gospel of Matthew (Person) Miracle Nathanael Peter, First Letter of Peter, the Apostle Philip Simon Simon the Canaanite Simon the Cananaean Simon the Zealot Thaddaeus, the Apostle Thomas, the Apostle Zealot

Topics

Alpheus (Alphaeus): Father of James Andrew: His Name Appears in the List of the Apostles In Apostles: Names of Apostles: Selection of Bartholomew: One of the Apostles Call: To Special Religious Duty: Apostles James: An Apostle: Son of Alphaeus Jesus, the Christ: Goes up Onto a Mountain, and Calls and Commissions Twelve Disciples (In Galilee) Matthew: Becomes a Disciple of Jesus Philip: One of the Twelve Apostles Simon: One of the Twelve Apostles; a Revolutionary and a Patriot: Called |The Canaanite| Thaddaeus: One of the Twelve Apostles Thomas: One of the Twelve Apostles