Mark 3:16-18
Summary for Mark 3:16-18: 3:16-18 a Simon and Andrew were brothers, as were James and John (1:16-20 b).• Peter is the Greek equivalent of the Aramaic kepa’, meaning “rock.”
3:17 c but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”: This nickname probably speaks of their character (cp. Luke 9:53-54 d).
3:18 e Philip is fifth on all four lists of the twelve disciples (Matt 10:1-4 f; Luke 6:12-16 g; Acts 1:13 h); James the son of Alphaeus (not the son of Zebedee and brother of John) is always ninth. Bartholomew might be Nathanael (John 1:43-51 i), and Matthew is probably Levi, the tax collector (Mark 2:14 j; Matt 9:9 k). Although Thomas is referred to as “the twin” (John 11:16 l; 20:24 m; 21:2 n), nothing else is said in the New Testament about this. Thaddaeus (Matt 10:3 o) is missing from Luke’s list; he might be Judas, the son of James (Luke 6:16 p; Acts 1:13 q). That a government official (Matthew) and an anti-government activist (Simon ... the zealot) were among the twelve apostles testifies to Jesus’ ability to change people’s hearts and overcome natural antagonism.
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