12In those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. [6:13] And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: [6:14] Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, [6:15] and Matthew and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, [6:16] and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
LUK 6:12-16
The Twelve Apostles
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish context, prayer on a mountain carried significant symbolic weight, evoking Moses’ encounter with God on Sinai. Jesus’ choice to spend the entire night in prayer underscored the gravity of the moment, as such prolonged prayer was often associated with seeking divine guidance for pivotal decisions. The selection of twelve disciples mirrored the twelve tribes of Israel, signaling a reconstitution of God’s people. The term 'apostles' would have been understood as those sent with authority, akin to emissaries in Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. Simon’s designation as 'Zealot' would have evoked associations with Jewish revolutionary movements resisting Roman rule, though it’s unclear whether Simon was part of such a group. Judas Iscariot’s inclusion, despite his later betrayal, highlighted the tension between divine purpose and human failure. This act of choosing twelve apostles would have been seen as a deliberate, symbolic act of leadership and mission.
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How other translations render this
LUK 6:12
- KJV
- And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
- BSB
- In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.
- Koinōnos
- In those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God.
LUK 6:13
- KJV
- And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
- BSB
- When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles:
- Koinōnos
- And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles:
LUK 6:14
- KJV
- Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
- BSB
- Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
- Koinōnos
- Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew,
LUK 6:15
- KJV
- Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
- BSB
- Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;
- Koinōnos
- and Matthew and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,
LUK 6:16
- KJV
- And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
- BSB
- Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
- Koinōnos
- and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 6:12
- spending the night:The word translated 'spending the night' emphasizes that Jesus spent the entire night in prayer, not just a portion of it. It conveys a sense of continuous, all-night activity.
LUK 6:13
- disciples:The term 'disciples' referred to students or apprentices who closely followed a teacher, not just intellectually but also in their way of life. It implied a deep commitment to learning from and imitating their master.
- apostles:The word translated 'apostles' literally means 'one who is sent' or 'a messenger.' It carried the sense of an authorized representative or envoy, commissioned with a specific task and authority by the sender.
LUK 6:15
- the [one]:The term 'the Zealot' identifies Simon as belonging to a specific Jewish political-religious movement known for its fervent devotion to God and resistance to Roman rule. It signifies his past or present affiliation with this group.