Naming the Twelve

Luke 6:12-16 is a short paragraph. It might not initially seem that exciting; it’s mostly just names. Of course draft day is just a guy at a podium reading names off of cards. But fans watch because those names may decide the joys or pains of the next ten years.

This is a defining moment in Jesus' ministry. For that matter it is a defining moment in church history, and actually world history. This is a day of defining and commissioning. This is — at least for those with eyes to see — the way that God in flesh chose to multiply His message and ministry among men.

Jesus chose men "who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" (Luke 1:2) so that we "may have certainty" (Luke 1:4). They were elected to a unique office, to follow Jesus and to be "with Him" (Mark 3:14), then to preach and disciple and turn the world upside down. He chose His witnesses so that we could be sure and so that the found would be faithful.

In these days full of travel and teaching and healing as well as increasing antagonism, He went out to the mountain to pray.

Before Jesus faced the temptations from Satan He was fasting and praying (Luke 3:21). Before Jesus faced the irritation of the religious leaders He was praying (Luke 5:16). Now before He selects men to be His representatives, He is praying. All night he continued in prayer to God.

The Son did not act independently of His Father. The selection of these men was not willy-nilly. It follows a pattern especially in that Luke observes that Jesus prayed before significant moves. He is alone with God in prayer.

Do you pray? Do you spend time with God? Do you seek His guidance? God has not made us to never sleep. He gives His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). And also there are things prayer can do that sleep cannot. There are burdens that are worth staying awake to get our heavenly Father's help. We make individual requests but we also see our lives in His hands. Do you think you can follow Jesus without praying? Does the Lord have an all-nighter coming up in your schedule?

There are a few things we can put together from verse 13. It is after Jesus prayed. It also shows us that there were more followers than this; these twelve are a chosen subset of followers. Those followers were called disciples.

Why don't we use the word "disciple" very often? A 2015 survey found that only 18% of church members preferred “discipleship” as a way of talking about spiritual growth.

A disciple is a student, a learner attached to a teacher, and then following the teaching. It’s like an apprentice learning the trade day by day from his master. These disciples hear Jesus’ teaching like students and submit to Jesus’ authority like servants. They are getting an education with the expectation that they will faithfully embody and pass the baton to other faithful followers.

We’re about to hear: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).

The number twelve is a group name found more times in the New Testament (including 1 Corinthians 15:5). Of course it makes us think of Jacob’s sons, but these twelve are not the representatives of a new Israel, even though they are in contrast to Israel’s religious leaders. The twelve disciples will judge the twelve tribes (Luke 22:30), and in the Jerusalem that comes down from heaven, twelve gates are named for the tribes and twelve foundation stones for the apostles (Revelation 21:12, 14). The twelve disciple-apostles are at the center of Israel's faithful remnant, but not its replacement.

Jesus chose them and Jesus named them apostles. An apostle became a specific thing with specific requirements later on (see Acts 1:21-22). Here it is used at least to refer to those disciples who would be unique representatives. They are the primary target, even of the public sermon that a great multitude heard. In verse 20 Jesus “lifted up His eyes on His disciples.”

There are four lists of the twelve in the New Testament. They have some similarities, but no two are formatted exactly the same. Peter always comes first; Judas comes last (except in Acts 1:13 where Judas isn’t named since he was dead by that point). We know nothing about many of these men except their names. This is quite interesting since they are not even all of the disciples and we don't even get inspired records for each of the twelve.

We met Simon when his mother-in-law was sick (Luke 4:38). We saw him again at the lake when they caught a great catch of fish (Luke 5:3). Andrew was Peter's brother and co-fisherman (Mark 1:16). James and John were brothers and partners with Peter and Andrew in the boat (Luke 5:10).

Philip and Bartholomew are next. Bartholomew is likely also known as Nathaniel, as referenced in John 1:45; John never mentions Bartholomew and the other gospels never mention Nathaniel. Matthew seems to be the same tax collector as Levi that Jesus called from his tax booth. Thomas is famous for his doubting (John 20:24-29). James the son of Alphaeus is distinguished by not being James the brother of John. Simon who is called the Zealot is different than Simon Peter.

Two Judases get their own verse at the end: one, the son of James, and the other Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Jesus prayed all night and then called Judas by name and welcomed him. But Jesus knew (John 6:70).

“a fisherman, a tax collector, a political revolutionary, a skeptical man who later wanted clear proof of Jesus’ resurrection, and even a future traitor” (Bock)

None of these men were religious elites, but they were elect. None of them are from a priestly background. None of them are scribes. They are, as has been observed, twelve ordinary men. There was no draft board. Nobody scouted these men. Jesus chose them. God took on flesh and chose fishermen to build the church upon. And the apostles’ names will be written on the foundations of the eternal city (Revelation 21:14).

Why is this paragraph here in Luke's account? In terms of the timeline of Jesus's ministry, there is some reason for putting a list of disciples after a time of Jesus's ministry when He could actually gather some men.

But it seems strategic as a bridge. The followers of Jesus become apostles who will represent Him, standing in contrast to the scribes and Pharisees, who were filled with fury over Jesus. The disciple-apostles also hear Jesus's teaching and become responsible to embody it and to pass it on. Their office was one of a kind; no one today is an eyewitness. But the pattern isn’t: every disciple is called to be with Jesus and to bring someone along.

Preaching is the air war; disciple-making is the ground war. Our state makes teenagers log fifty hours behind the wheel with an adult in the passenger seat. Time in the classroom sets a foundation, but that’s not really where you learn to drive.

Mark's account and list of the apostles include a phrase that Jesus called them to be “with Him” (Mark 3:14). Who are you bringing with you? We sometimes use the phrase "life on life." Whose life is your life touching? Name just one person who is one step behind you in the faith, and invite them into your life of following Jesus. This was the Master’s plan of evangelism: to focus on the few to reach the many.

It's been said that we are always teaching. It's not IF, it's WHAT. Even the most isolated believer is an example to others, just not a good one. Why not use your inescapable impact for good? The gospel is good! The obedience of faith brings God glory! Be strong in the Lord!

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25–27 ESV)