Mark 3:18

And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

And {G2532} Andrew {G406}, and {G2532} Philip {G5376}, and {G2532} Bartholomew {G918}, and {G2532} Matthew {G3156}, and {G2532} Thomas {G2381}, and {G2532} James {G2385} the son {G3588} of Alphaeus {G256}, and {G2532} Thaddaeus {G2280}, and {G2532} Simon {G4613} the Canaanite {G2581},

Andrew, Philip, Bar-Talmai, Mattityahu, T'oma, Ya`akov Ben-Halfai, Taddai, Shim`on the Zealot,

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

and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Cananæan,

Mark 3:18 continues the listing of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ, following the initial group named in the preceding verses. This verse specifically names Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite.

Context

This verse is part of a pivotal passage in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 3:13-19) where Jesus ascends a mountain and calls to Himself those He desired to be with Him. The selection of these twelve men was not arbitrary but a deliberate act of divine intention. They were chosen not only to be His constant companions but also to be sent out to preach and to cast out devils, laying the groundwork for the spread of the Gospel. This list, though similar to those found in other Gospels (e.g., Matthew 10:2-4, Luke 6:14-16), offers a unique arrangement, highlighting the individual identities of those called to such a foundational role.

Key Themes

  • Divine Selection and Purpose: The act of Jesus choosing these specific individuals underscores the sovereign nature of His ministry. Each apostle was hand-picked for a unique role in God’s plan, not based on their social standing or perceived qualifications, but on Christ’s divine foresight.
  • Diversity Among Disciples: The list reveals a striking diversity in the backgrounds of the apostles. From fishermen (Andrew) to a tax collector (Matthew), and even a zealot (Simon the Canaanite), Jesus intentionally gathered a varied group. This diversity illustrates God's willingness to use all kinds of people for His purposes.
  • Foundation of the Early Church: These twelve men would become the core leadership of the nascent Christian movement after Jesus' ascension, tasked with bearing witness to His resurrection and establishing the early church (Acts 1:8).

Linguistic Insights

  • Thaddaeus: This apostle is likely the same person as "Jude, the brother of James" mentioned in Luke's Gospel and Acts. The name "Thaddaeus" (Greek: Thaddaios) may be a diminutive of "Theodorus" or related to the Aramaic word for "breast" or "heart," possibly indicating affection or courage.
  • Simon the Canaanite: The term "Canaanite" here does not refer to someone from the geographical region of Canaan. Instead, it is derived from the Aramaic word qan'ana, meaning "zealous one." This indicates that Simon was likely a member of the Zealot political-religious movement, which was fiercely opposed to Roman rule. His inclusion, alongside Matthew (a tax collector who collaborated with Rome), powerfully demonstrates Jesus' ability to unite individuals from vastly different, even opposing, backgrounds under His common mission.

Practical Application

Mark 3:18 reminds us that God's call is often extended to ordinary people from diverse walks of life. Just as Jesus chose a varied group of apostles, He continues to call individuals today, equipping them for His service regardless of their past or perceived limitations. This verse encourages us to embrace unity in diversity within the body of Christ, recognizing that our differences can be leveraged for a greater common purpose when we are united in Christ. It also highlights the transformative power of Jesus to bring together disparate individuals for a shared mission, teaching us the importance of overcoming divisions for the sake of the Gospel.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 1:13

    And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother] of James.

  • Mark 2:14

    And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

  • James 1:1

    ¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

  • Matthew 9:9

    ¶ And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

  • John 1:40

    One of the two which heard John [speak], and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

  • John 1:43

    ¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

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