Matthew 10:2-4 Meaning: Peter First Among the Apostles?

Two Greek words in this passage carry more weight than they first appear. The first is apostoloi (apostles). It comes from a verb meaning “to send away” or “to dispatch.” These men had been disciples, learners. Now they were being sent as official messengers. The title belonged to them in a unique way, though the New Testament later uses it for others like Barnabas.

The second word is prōtos (first). It can simply mean first in a list, the one who comes before the others in sequence. But it can also mean first in rank, influence, or honour. Matthew uses it to describe Peter. The same word appears elsewhere in this Gospel when Jesus says the “first” will be last (Matthew 19:30, 20:16). That careful tension reminds us that human rankings look different in God’s kingdom.

A third word worth noticing is onoma (name). In the Bible, names often carry identity and purpose. Simon is renamed Peter; Matthew includes his own shameful title “tax collector”; Judas is called Iscariot, probably marking his hometown of Kerioth. Jesus knows each one fully, and still calls them.

Catholic tradition has long seen Peter’s listing first as pointing to a primacy among the apostles, a special role given by Christ that would continue in the Church. Catholics point to passages like Matthew 16:18-19, where Jesus calls Peter the rock, to support this view.

Many Protestant commentators, including Calvin and Matthew Henry, read “first” here as mostly a matter of order, Peter was the first disciple called, and he often spoke first, but that does not give him authority over the others. They note that the other Gospel lists also place Peter first while varying the order of the rest, suggesting the prominence is real but not supreme. Christians in both traditions agree that the Twelve were sent together, with Peter taking a leading part among equals.

Some readers assume that because Peter is called “first,” he held a permanent office of supreme authority over the other apostles. In fact, the word prōtos can simply mean first in sequence or prominence, not absolute ruler. While Peter had a leading role in the early church (speaking at Pentecost, opening the door to Gentiles), the other apostles also had full authority sent directly from Christ. The list includes both Peter and Judas, showing the group was human and mixed, and that Jesus works through unlikely people.

Take a look at the people Jesus chose. A tax collector who worked for the occupying Romans. A Zealot who wanted to overthrow them. Fishermen, a former revolutionary, and eventually a traitor. These men had little in common except that Jesus called them by name and gave them a shared mission. This week, you might think about the people in your own life who seem different from you, at church, at work, in your family. Jesus brought together a group that by all human logic would have fallen apart. He can do the same in your corner of the world. You don’t need to be polished or perfect to be sent. You just need to be called.