Matthew 10:2-4 · Bible study

Matthew 10:2-4 Commentary: The Twelve Listed

Greek · 11 what the commentators say

Meaning in one sentence

Matthew 10:2-4 lists the twelve apostles. Why is Peter called 'first,' and what does the group's diversity tell us about Jesus' mission?

Research Summary

Meaning: Jesus formally commissions twelve disciples as apostles (sent ones) to represent restored Israel and to carry out his mission.
Key words: ‘Apostles’ (ἀπόστολοι) first used here; ‘first’ (πρῶτος) of Peter signals either calling order or prominence; ‘tax collector’ (τελώνης) in Matthew’s self-description; ‘Zealot’ (Καναναῖος) from Hebrew for ‘zealous’.
Main debate: Whether Peter’s listing as ‘first’ indicates primacy over the other apostles or simply the order of his call (compare Wesley and Calvin).
Theological theme: The kingdom of God is built through unlikely, diverse people whom Jesus transforms and sends.
Best use: A foundational text for understanding apostolic authority, church unity across divisions, and the radical inclusiveness of Christ’s call.

Translation Comparison

BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020

²These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

³Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

⁴Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

WEB World English Bible 2000

²Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;

³Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus;

⁴Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

KJV King James Version 1769

²Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

³Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus;

⁴Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

ASV American Standard Version 1901

²Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James thesonof Zebedee, and John his brother;

³Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus;

⁴Simon the Cananæan, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898

²And of the twelve apostles the names are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James of Zebedee, and John his brother;

³Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax-gatherer; James of Alpheus, and Lebbeus who was surnamed Thaddeus;

⁴Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who did also deliver him up.

Darby Darby Bible 1890

²Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother;

³Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax-gatherer; James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, who was surnamed Thaddaeus;

⁴Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariote, who also delivered him up.

Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899

²And the names of the twelve Apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,

³James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,

⁴Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Verse in Context

1 He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;

3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5 Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans.

6 Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Original Language (Koine Greek)

New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 10:2

Τῶν Tōn G3588 <the>

δὲ de G1161 And

δώδεκα dōdeka G1427 of the twelve

ἀποστόλων apostolōn G0652 apostles

τὰ ta G3588 the

ὀνόματά onomata G3686 names

ἐστιν estin G1510 are

ταῦτα·¶ tauta G3778 these:

Πρῶτος Prōtos G4413 first

Σίμων Simōn G4613 Simon

ὁ ho G3588 who

λεγόμενος legomenos G3004 is being named

Πέτρος Petros G4074 Peter

καὶ kai G2532 and

Ἀνδρέας Andreas G0406 Andrew

ὁ ho G3588 the

ἀδελφὸς adelphos G0080 brother

αὐτοῦ, autou G0846 of him,

καὶ kai G2532 and

Ἰάκωβος Iakōbos G2385 James

ὁ ho G3588 the [son]

τοῦ tou G3588 <the>

Ζεβεδαίου Zebedaiou G2199 of Zebedee

καὶ kai G2532 and

Ἰωάννης Iōannēs G2491 John

ὁ ho G3588 the

ἀδελφὸς adelphos G0080 brother

αὐτοῦ, autou G0846 of him,

Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.

Scholars' Consensus

Commentators agree these verses provide the first use of the term “apostles” (ἀπόστολοι) in Matthew, marking a shift from disciples to sent ones. Vincent notes that the word comes from ἀποστέλλω, “to send away,” and was an official title for those commissioned by a king. The twelve are listed in pairs, consistent with Mark’s note that they were sent out two by two (Mark 6:7). All four catalogues in the New Testament place Peter first and Judas Iscariot last, with “who also betrayed him” as a permanent mark of infamy (JFB). Matthew humbly identifies himself as “the tax collector” (τελώνης), a term of reproach he alone records. Most scholars hold Bartholomew to be the same person as Nathanael (Clarke, JFB), and Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus to be another name for Judas the son of James (Cambridge Bible). Simon the Canaanite is not from Canaan but from the Hebrew קנא , meaning “zealous,” and is called Zelotes in Luke (Vincent, Gill). The list establishes the foundation of Jesus’ restored people, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel (Lange).

How settled is the interpretation?

Interpretive difficulty: Medium

Main views:

Calling-order view: Wesley and others: Peter was the first to be called to constant attendance on Christ, thus ‘first’ in chronological order.
Primacy view: Roman Catholic reading: ‘first’ indicates a rank of authority given to Peter, sustained through the papacy.
Narrative prominence view: ‘First’ signals Peter’s role as spokesperson and leader among the twelve, but this is a functional primacy not transferable to a universal office (Calvin, JFB).

What is clear: Peter is consistently listed first in all New Testament catalogues, and Judas Iscariot is always last, with the note of betrayal attached to his name.

What Scholars Agree and Debate

Topic	Agreed	Debated
Peter listed as ‘first’	All traditions recognize Peter’s prominence in the Gospels and among the apostles.	Catholics see an instituted primacy passed to his successors (the pope), while Protestants view the ‘first’ as a matter of honorable mention or calling order, not papal jurisdiction.
Bartholomew / Nathanael identification	Bartholomew is likely a patronymic (‘son of Tolmai’).	Most scholars identify him with Nathanael (Clarke, JFB), but not all are certain; some treat them as distinct.
Lebbaeus / Thaddaeus / Judas brother of James	These names refer to the same apostle.	The precise relationship to James (whether brother or son) is debated, and why three names appear across lists is uncertain.
Meaning of ‘Canaanite’ for Simon	Simon is not from Canaan; the term comes from the Hebrew word for ‘zealous’.	Whether he was a member of the Zealot party (a group that resisted Rome) or simply a zealous person by nature is not clear (Barnes, Vincent).
Judas Iscariot’s name	The name likely means ‘man of Kerioth’, a town in Judah.	Some suggest a different etymology (e.g., ‘Iscara’ meaning ‘strangulation’, per Lightfoot mentioned by Clarke), but the majority view is the town name.

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus chose twelve disciples, a number charged with meaning. The twelve tribes of Israel were the original covenant community, and by appointing twelve apostles Jesus was symbolically reconstituting Israel around himself (Lange). The call to the apostolate came in stages: first they were disciples (learners), then they were given authority and sent out as apostles (Matthew Henry). This passage occurs just before the mission discourse in Matthew 10, where Jesus empowers them to preach, heal, and cast out demons.

The names reflect a range of backgrounds. Simon is called Peter (Πέτρος, “rock”), a name Jesus gave him (John 1:42). Barnes suggests this name pointed to his future resoluteness. James and John are “sons of Zebedee”; their mother later sought special positions for them (Matthew 20:20). Philip came from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter (John 1:44). Bartholomew likely means “son of Tolmai” and is widely thought to be Nathanael (Clarke, Poole). Thomas means “twin” (Θωμᾶς). Matthew the tax collector (τελώνης) was a despised publican, yet Jesus called him. James the son of Alphaeus is sometimes called “James the less”; he may be the same as James the brother of Jesus? Cambridge Bible clarifies that the “brethren of the Lord” were not among the twelve. Lebbaeus/Thaddaeus is also called Judas the son of James (Luke 6:16).

Simon the Canaanite (Καναναῖος) belonged to the Zealot party (Vincent, Gill). The Zealots were fiercely opposed to Roman rule, which makes his pairing with Matthew the tax collector remarkable: a former revolutionary and a former Roman collaborator now united under Christ. Judas Iscariot likely means “man of Kerioth,” a town in Judah (Barnes, Wesley). His betrayal is foreshadowed in the participle παραδούς (“having betrayed”), a tragic conclusion to a promising beginning.

Textual Notes

The consulted sources note a variant in verse 3. Some manuscripts read “Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus” (as in the Byzantine text family), while others read simply “Thaddaeus” (as in Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus). The parallel lists in Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:16 consistently call this apostle Thaddaeus or “Judas the son of James.” The variation may reflect different names used for the same person in different regions. No other significant variants appear among the witnesses.

Reception History

This list of the twelve has been read in several ways across church history. Early church writers like Irenaeus and Eusebius used it to defend apostolic succession: the twelve were the foundation upon which bishops were appointed. In the medieval period, Peter’s listing as ‘first’ was frequently cited to support papal primacy, a point that the Reformers (notably Calvin in his commentary on this passage) sharply contested. Eastern Orthodox tradition emphasizes the college of the twelve as a whole, with Peter as first among equals. Matthew’s self-designation as ‘the tax collector’ has been held up as a model of humility; Augustine noted that Matthew did not hide his shameful past. The inclusion of a zealot and a tax collector has been employed to illustrate the reconciling power of the gospel across social and political divides. Modern preaching often draws on the list to celebrate diversity and the calling of ordinary people into extraordinary service.

Preaching This Verse

Three-Point Outline

Called from Ordinary Life: Jesus chose fishermen, a tax collector, and a zealot. None were religious elites. He calls people from everyday vocations into eternal work.
United in Diversity: Matthew and Simon the Zealot were political opposites; the sons of Zebedee had fiery tempers. Yet Jesus bound them into one fellowship. The gospel crosses every human barrier.
Sent with Authority: Apostles were sent ones, not volunteers. Jesus gave them power over unclean spirits and sickness (v.1). Their mission was his mission. The church continues that sending.

Five-Point Outline

Selection: Jesus chose twelve, not eleven or thirteen. The number signals continuity with Israel and authority for the new covenant community.
Transformation: Disciples become apostles. First they learn, then they are sent. No one is commissioned without preparation.
Naming: Jesus renames Simon as Peter (the rock). Names matter. Christ gives his people new identities.
Blemish: Judas Iscariot is included despite his betrayal. Jesus calls even those who will fail. It warns us of the possibility of apostasy.
Ambassadors: Apostles bear the king’s commission. They carry his message and his authority, but not as a matter of inherent worth.

Illustration Hooks

A sports team roster: each player has a different background and skill, but they wear the same jersey.
A grocery store: an unlikely pairing of products (sourdough next to dish soap) that still belong to the same store.
A family photo: aunts, uncles and cousins look very different but share a last name.

Questions Your Congregation Is Asking

Why did Jesus choose a tax collector and a zealot to be on the same team? Didn’t they hate each other?
If Judas was always going to betray Jesus, why did Christ pick him in the first place?
Is there a lesson in the fact that we know almost nothing about most of the apostles?

Leading a Discussion

This passage is a roll call. Lists can feel boring, but this one reveals the shape of Jesus' kingdom. He built it from ordinary, flawed, diverse people. As you work through the questions, notice how the gospel overcomes human divisions and uses unlikely leaders.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think Matthew includes the detail “the tax collector” after his own name? What does this tell you about his self-awareness?
How does the pairing of Matthew (tax collector) and Simon the Zealot challenge your assumptions about enemies being reconciled?
Peter is listed first. What reasons have been suggested for this? Does his “primacy” mean authority over others, or something else? (Consider Matthew 20:25-28 as balance.)
Judas is named last, with the ominous phrase “who also betrayed him.” If Jesus knew what Judas would do, why did he include him among the twelve? What does that say about God’s patience?
Which apostle’s story stands out to you most? Why do you think we know so little about men like Bartholomew or Thaddaeus?
How does the fact that Jesus called these particular people encourage you about your own place in his kingdom?

What the Commentators Say

9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.

Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826

Clarke notes that the word "apostle" means a sent messenger, like a king's envoy, and that Jesus first made the apostles his disciples to show a man must be taught by God before being sent by God. He also insists that "first" in the list of apostles refers only to order, not to any special dignity.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832

Barnes explains the meaning and significance of each apostle's name. Peter means rock, pointing to the steadiness he later showed. He also notes that Bartholomew means son of Tolmai, Thomas means twin, Thaddeus is the same as Lebbeus, Simon the Canaanite was a Zealot, and Judas Iscariot came from Carioth.

Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564

Calvin dismisses as "extreme folly" the Roman claim that listing Peter first among the apostles gives him authority over the others. Even if Peter held some rank, that would not extend to successors unless those successors were actually like Peter.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880

The commentary explains that "apostle" literally means "sent forth" and was not a title reserved only for the Twelve, since Paul, Barnabas, James the Lord's brother, and even Christ Himself are called apostles. It also observes that the four surviving lists of the apostles do not perfectly match, yet Simon Peter always appears first and Judas Iscariot last, while the names fall into three stable divisions that never change.

Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748

Gill explains that these disciples are now called apostles because they are sent forth to preach, linking the title to Jewish messengers from the Sanhedrin. He stresses that Peter is listed first only for order's sake, not because he held authority over the others. He also notes Matthew's modesty in naming Thomas before himself.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871

JFB notes that Matthew gives the apostles' names here not at their appointment, as Mark and Luke do, but in connection with their mission. The writer also observes that Matthew alone brands himself "the publican," as if wanting everyone to remember the depth of his debt to the Lord.

Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710

Henry draws attention to Christ's gradual method: he called the disciples first, kept them in a state of probation and preparation, then later ordained them as apostles. This pattern, Henry argues, serves as an example for the church: those called to ministry should be proved over time before being entrusted with the work.

Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887

Vincent notes that "apostles" appears here as the official title for the Twelve, marking a shift from their earlier identity as learners or disciples until Christ gave them authority. He also explains that "Canaanite" does not refer to Canaan but comes from a Hebrew word meaning zealous, identifying the apostle Simon with the Galilean Zealot party.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754

Wesley clarifies that Simon is called "the first" not because Andrew met Christ earlier, but because Simon was the first called to constant attendance on Jesus. He also identifies Lebbaeus as Judas (brother of James) and notes that Iscariot comes from Iscarioth, his birthplace in Ephraim.

Word Study

The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.

ἀδελφός adelphos brother G0080 · Greek → Ἀνδρέας Andreas Andrew G0406 · Greek → ἀπόστολος apostolos apostle G0652 · Greek → αὐτός autos it/s/he G0846 · Greek → δέ de then G1161 · Greek → δώδεκα dōdeka twelve G1427 · Greek → εἰμί eimi to be G1510 · Greek → Ζεβεδαῖος Zebedaios Zebedee G2199 · Greek → Ἰάκωβος Iakōbos James G2385 · Greek → Ἰωάννης Iōannēs John G2491 · Greek → καί kai and G2532 · Greek → λέγω legō to say G3004 · Greek → ὁ ho the/this/who G3588 · Greek → ὄνομα onoma name G3686 · Greek → οὗτος ohutos this/he/she/it G3778 · Greek → Πέτρος Petros Peter G4074 · Greek → πρῶτος prōtos first G4413 · Greek → Σίμων Simōn Simon G4613 · Greek →

Cross-References

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)

Matthew 4:18	Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Matthew 4:21	Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.
Matthew 16:16	Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:18	I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Matthew 17:1	After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
Matthew 20:20	Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
Matthew 26:37	He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.
Mark 1:16	Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.

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