Jesus chose 12 apostles to symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel and to establish a foundation for his teachings. By selecting a specific number, Jesus was able to create a cohesive group that would serve as leaders, witnesses, and representatives of his message.
So let’s look deeper
Jesus chose 12 apostles for several significant reasons. Firstly, by selecting 12 apostles, Jesus intended to symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel. This choice had strong ties to the religious and cultural context of the time, as the 12 tribes represented the people of Israel and carried immense symbolic importance. By associating his teachings with the number 12, Jesus not only emphasized his connection to the Jewish tradition but also sought to establish a sense of continuity and legitimacy in his ministry.
Furthermore, the selection of 12 apostles allowed Jesus to create a cohesive and manageable group. This group served as leaders, witnesses, and representatives of his message. By surrounding himself with a devoted inner circle, Jesus could pass on his teachings, ensure the continuation of his mission, and provide guidance and authority to the burgeoning Christian community. The apostles played a vital role in spreading Jesus’ teachings and establishing the foundations of the early Christian Church.
A well-known quote from theologian Thomas Aquinas sheds light on the significance of the chosen number:
“Christ called His apostles to convey doctrine, not to contend with anyone.”
This quote emphasizes that Jesus’ selection of the apostles was not intended for competition or rivalry among them, but rather to convey his teachings harmoniously and cohesively.
Interesting facts about Jesus choosing 12 apostles:
- The mention of the 12 apostles can be found in various biblical passages, including Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:14-16.
- The apostles were chosen from various backgrounds, including fishermen (such as Peter, Andrew, James, and John) and tax collectors (like Matthew).
- The 12 apostles are traditionally considered as Simon Peter, Andrew, James the Greater, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the Less, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (who was later replaced by Matthias).
- Judas Iscariot’s betrayal and subsequent replacement are significant events in the narrative of Jesus’ disciples.
- Each of the apostles played a unique role in the spread of Christianity, with some going on to become prominent figures in the early Church.
Here is an example of a table showcasing the names of the 12 apostles:
| Name | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Simon Peter | Fisherman |
| Andrew | Fisherman |
| James the Greater | Fisherman |
| John | Fisherman |
| Philip | Unknown |
| Bartholomew | Unknown |
| Thomas | Unknown |
| Matthew | Tax Collector |
| James the Less | Unknown |
| Thaddeus | Unknown |
| Simon the Zealot | Unknown |
| Judas Iscariot | Unknown |
In conclusion, Jesus’ choice to have 12 apostles was significant in symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel and ensuring a cohesive group to spread his teachings. The selection of 12 apostles played a crucial role in establishing the foundations of Christianity and continued to have a lasting impact on the early Church.
Video related “Why did Jesus only choose 12 apostles?”
This video explores the reason behind Jesus choosing 12 disciples from among his many followers. The selection of the 12 disciples, who were ordinary individuals like fishermen and tax collectors, had a symbolic meaning. It represented the 12 tribes of Israel from the Old Testament, with the disciples being chosen to be part of Jesus’ inner circle just as the 12 tribes were God’s chosen people. Furthermore, it highlights that Christians today perceive themselves as the new disciples, entrusted with the task of spreading the Gospel globally, following in the footsteps of Jesus’ chosen 12.
Furthermore, people ask
Furthermore, Why was the 12th apostle chosen? The reply will be: Was it necessary for another apostle to be chosen after Judas? God could have accomplished His purposes with 11 apostles or 12, but 12 was a significant number because of the parallel to the 12 tribes of Israel. But more importantly, choosing another apostle shows that what men intended for evil, God uses for good.
Hereof, Who is the only apostle not chosen by Jesus? The last Apostle to be chosen to be of Jesus’ 12 Apostles was Saint Matthias. He was chosen after Jesus’ Ascension. Though he was the only Apostle not chosen by Jesus personally, he was chosen by the Holy Spirit through the other 11 Apostles.
What did Jesus do prior choosing the 12 apostles? In reply to that: Luke 6:12, " In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God." Before Jesus made a big decision such as choosing his 12 disciples, he first prayed all night.
Simply so, Were there only 12 apostles?
Jesus has only twelve apostles and Paul is not one of them: “When it was day, (Jesus) called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was
Similarly, Why did Jesus choose the 12 apostles?
As an answer to this: Jesus Christ selected the 12 apostles from among his early followers to become his closest companions. After an intensive discipleship course and following his resurrection from the dead, the Lord fully commissioned the apostles (Matthew 28:16-2, Mark 16:15) to advance God’s kingdom and carry the gospel message to the world.
Similarly, Who were the 12 apostles? These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Then, Why did Jesus call his 12 disciples?
The answer is: Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Also asked, How many disciples did Jesus have?
In reply to that: A footnote to this passage about the disciples is that Jesus had many disciples who followed Him. These followers went out and spread the word about His ministry. But, the twelve disciples were the “ inner circle “, so to speak. According to Matthew 19:28, the number 12 is very significant as it relates to the twelve tribes of Israel.