OUR FATHER WHO GAVE HIS SON THOSE WHO WOULD FOLLOW HIM

Matthew chapter 10 begins with Jesus gathering the 12 men to whom He would personally teach the ways of ministering in His kingdom. 

He conferred upon these 12 men the power over demons, diseases and sicknesses.

1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

From verses 2 - 4, the 12 disciples are mentioned by name. Interestingly, in some cases, the disciples are mentioned in pairs. The two sets of  brothers are mentioned first and paired in the list. Others are listed with their background or lineage.

• Simon - Andrew  (brothers and Simon is Peter)
• James - John (brothers & sons of Zebedee)
• Philip - Bartholomew
• Thomas - Matthew (Matthew tax collector)
• James - Lebbaeus (James son of Alpheus & Lebaeus surname Thaddaeus)
• Simon - Judas (Simon Cananite & Judas Iscariot fated to betray Jesus)

As John 17 verse 24 says of these;

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Amen.

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