The next topic to be discussed regarding the Call of the Disciples in the Gospel Tradition is the tradition of the Twelve Disciples (or Apostles). Three distinct aspects will be examined:
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- The tradition of the call/commission of the Twelve, and how this functions in the Synoptic Gospels
- The list(s) of the Twelve, along with brief discussion of the details related to Peter and Judas Iscariot, and
- The significance of the (number) Twelve within this tradition
I begin with the first aspect, starting with the tradition as recorded in the Gospel of Mark.
The Twelve Disciples
Mark 3:13-19
It is worth noting that here, with regard to this particular tradition, Mark actually has a slightly longer (and more elaborate) version. Usually the longer form of a tradition indicates some degree of (secondary) development, though occasionally the process of development may work in the opposite direction—toward the simplifying or condensing of an earlier tradition. The call/commission of the Twelve is set after an initial period of teaching and (healing) miracles by Jesus, as recorded in 1:21-3:12. The Markan narrative at this point may be outlined as follows—first, for the specific tradition in 3:13-19:
- Verse 13—The call of the Twelve is narrated simply, with three details or elements: (a) the location on a mountain, (b) the call, and (c) the response. As in 1:16-20, an immediate, obedient response is indicated:
- Jesus calls them toward [pro/$] him
- They go away toward [pro/$] him
- Verses 14-15—The commission: “he made twelve”, where the verb poie/w (“do, make”) can be understood in the sense of “appoint, designate”. The majority text adds “whom he also named apostles“, though the phrase is omitted by a number of manuscripts and may reflect a harmonization with Lk 6:13b. A two-fold purpose is expressed, by use of the conjunctive particle i%na (“[so] that”):
- “that [i%na] they might be with him”
- “that [i%na] he might set [i.e. send] them forth”, using the verb a)poste/llw, related to a)po/stolo$ [apostle]; the purpose of his sending them is also two-fold, expressed by a pair of infinitives (and a third joining infinitive):
- “to proclaim (the message of the Kingdom)”
—”and to hold authority [e)cousi/a]” - “to cast out the daimons [i.e. demons, (evil) spirits]”
These represent the two principal activities of Jesus in his Galilean ministry, and are both characterized by the authority which he possesses.
- “to proclaim (the message of the Kingdom)”
- Verses 16-19—The names of the Twelve; this consists of two overlapping components:
- Vv. 16-17: A specific notice of the naming (implied) of the Twelve, echoing verse 13 [v.l.], and the new names given by Jesus (“he set a name for [them]”) to the first, and best known, of the Twelve—Peter, James, and John
- Vv. 16b-19: The list of the Twelve, according to the (Synoptic) tradition shared with Matthew
The Markan narrative which follows, spanning the entirety of the Galilean ministry period (3:20–8:30), appears to be governed by this passage, and may reflect a specific (Markan?) development of an earlier stage of the Gospel tradition. Note the following outline, as I suggest it may relate to the two-fold purpose assigned to the calling of the Twelve in 3:14-15 (above):
1. “to be with him” (3:20–6:6a)—this theme is expressed, in various ways, in each of the passages or episodes which make up this section, which one might organize into a chiastic outline:
- Contrast of the disciples with Jesus’ natural family and acquaintances, etc (3:20-21, 31-35)
- Jesus’ proclamation (and teaching) of the Kingdom, i.e. in parables (4:1-34); by which he also gives the secrets of the Kingdom to his closest followers (the Twelve, v. 10)
- The disciples together with Jesus in the boat (4:35-41), along a manifestion of the authority he holds
- Jesus’ healing (exorcism) miracles (5:1-43), i.e. the authority to “cast out the daimons”
- Jesus’ proclamation (and teaching) of the Kingdom, i.e. in parables (4:1-34); by which he also gives the secrets of the Kingdom to his closest followers (the Twelve, v. 10)
- Contrast (implied) of those who trust in him (i.e. disciples) with the people of Jesus’ home town (6:1-6a)
2. “he would send them forth” (6:6b-8:30)—the section is introduced with a summary of this activity by the Twelve in 6:6b-13; “the Twelve” are mentioned specifically as such in verse 7. A similar chiastic outline may be established for this section as well, framed, for example, by three pairs of episodes:
- Reference to the healing miracles, worked by the Twelve (6:13)
- Narrative of a healing miracle, worked by Jesus (8:22-26)
Clearly the commission of the Twelve in 6:6b-13 is parallel to the call of the Twelve in 3:13-19—and each introduces the two main sections of the narrative (3:13-6:6a and 6:6b-8:30). Beyond this point, the narrative clearly depicts the Twelve remaining with Jesus during his journey to Jerusalem (9:35; 10:32), and also during the time in Jerusalem (11:11).
Matthew 10:1-4
By comparison with Mark, the narrative of the call of the Twelve is much simpler; it also functions thematically, and within the structure of the Gospel, rather differently. To begin with, the mountain setting of Mk 3:13 is not mentioned, occurring at an earlier point, as the setting for the “Sermon on the Mount” (chaps. 5-7); the wording in 5:1 is generally similar to that in Mk 3:13: “he stepped up onto the mount(ain)/hill”. In this scene, Jesus also gathers his disciples together, again using similar language (“they came toward him”); only here the purpose is not to commission the Twelve, but to teach (v. 2). On the theory that Matthew has made use of Mark (or a comparable Synoptic narrative), the collection of teaching making up the “Sermon” (primarily “Q” material) has been ‘inserted’ into the first period of the Galilean ministry at a point corresponding to Mark 1:21. The preceding summary of Matt 4:23-25 anticipates the episodes following in chapters 8-9, which essentially ‘pick up’ the Markan narrative—8:1-9:17 corresponds with Mk 1:29-2:22.
As mentioned, the version of the call tradition in Matthew is simpler that that of Mark, and may reflect an abbreviation of the Synoptic tradition (note how Matthew paraphrases the details in Mark). Moreover, the emphasis is more specifically upon the authority Jesus gives the Twelve to work healing miracles:
“And calling his twelve learners [i.e. disciples] toward him, he gave to them (the) authority [e)cousi/a] o(ver) unclean spirits, so as (also) to (be able to) cast them out and to heal every sickness and every disease.” (10:1)
Healing sickness/disease is mentioned as distinct from the casting out of unclean spirits (exorcism miracles), whereas in Mark, both kinds of activity are combined under the basic idea of expelling demons (understood as being responsible for disease). The names of the Twelve follow in vv. 2-4, but without the Markan reference to Jesus’ giving names to Peter/James/John (Peter’s new name is mentioned in passing).
Also different from Mark’s treatment is the way that the mission of the Twelve (Mk 6:6b-13) follows immediately after the call, in 10:5-16. It also serves as the setting for another collection of teaching (vv. 16-42), similar to the earlier “Sermon” in chaps. 5-7. This material is found in other locations in Mark and Luke (including “Q” material). Matt 11:1 concludes this teaching to the Twelve and focuses back again on the ministry activity of Jesus—11:1–16:20 generally follows Mk 3:20–8:30 (cf. above), with some differences in ordering and emphasis, and also inclusion of other “Q” and “M” material. Consider the general outline:
- Narrative introduction/summary of Jesus’ ministry work (4:23-25)
- Narrative introduction/summary of Jesus’ ministry work (transitional, 9:35-38)
As in Mark, there is also a notice that the Twelve follow Jesus to Jerusalem; two specific references contain this information:
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- The saying in 19:28, added to the core narrative of vv. 27-30 (= Mk 10:28-31); this tradition will be discussed in a subsequent note.
- 20:17—the third prediction by Jesus of his upcoming Passion (Mk 10:32 par)
This topic will continue in the next note, where the call/commission of the Twelve in the Gospels of Luke (and John) will be examined.