MAT 10:1-4

The Twelve Apostles

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

2Now the names of the twelve apostles — those sent out — are these: first, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

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

4Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also handed him over.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Jewish context, summoning the twelve disciples to himself would have evoked the image of a leader gathering a close, trusted group, much like a rabbi with his students or a patron with his clients. The authority given to them over unclean spirits and diseases was not merely symbolic; it carried the weight of divine delegation, akin to how Roman officials wielded imperium. This authority would have been understood as both a right and a power to act on behalf of Jesus, challenging the existing spiritual and social order. The term 'apostles' emphasized their role as emissaries, sent out with a specific mission, a concept familiar in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. The inclusion of Matthew, a tax collector , would have been striking, as tax collectors were often viewed as collaborators with Rome and morally suspect. Simon the Zealot’s presence alongside Matthew highlights the diverse, even conflicting, backgrounds of this group, underscoring the radical nature of Jesus’ mission.

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How other translations render this

MAT 10:1

KJV: And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
BSB: And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.
Koinōnos: Having summoned his twelve disciples to himself, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

MAT 10:2

KJV: Now 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;
BSB: These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Koinōnos: Now the names of the twelve apostles — those sent out — are these: first, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

MAT 10:3

KJV: Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
BSB: Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Koinōnos: Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

MAT 10:4

KJV: Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
BSB: Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Koinōnos: Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also handed him over.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 10:1

having summoned:The word translated 'having summoned' implies a deliberate, authoritative call to oneself, often for a specific purpose or mission, rather than a casual invitation.
authority:The term translated 'authority' refers to delegated power or the right to act, often implying a legitimate source from which that power is derived, not merely raw strength.

MAT 10:2

apostles:The word translated 'apostles' literally means 'one who is sent out' or 'a messenger,' carrying the sense of an envoy or ambassador with a specific commission and representing the sender.

MAT 10:3

tax collector,:The term 'tax collector' in this context referred to individuals who bought the right to collect taxes for the Roman government, often leading to corruption and making them deeply unpopular and socially ostracized figures.