Mat 10:2, Act 1:13, 12:2 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 2. The account which follows is more fully given in . Both of those evangelists have recorded the circumstances of their appointment. They agree in saying it was done on a mountain; and, according to Luke, it was done before the sermon on the mount was delivered, perhaps on the same mountain, near Capernaum. Luke adds, that the night previous had been spent in prayer to God. . Simon, who is called Peter . Peter means a rock. He was also called Cephas, . This was a Syro-Chaldaic word, signifying the same as Peter. This name was given probably in reference to the resoluteness and firmness which he was to exhibit in preaching the gospel. Before the Saviour's death he was rash, impetuous, and unstable. Afterwards, as all history affirms, he was firm, zealous, steadfast, and immovable. He was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, thinking it too great an honour to die as his Master did. . James the son of Zebadee, and John his brother . This James was slain by Herod in a persecution, Ac 12:2 . The other James, the son of Alpheus, was stationed at Jerusalem, and was the author of the epistle that bears his name. See . A James is mentioned, ( ) as the Lord's brother . It has not been easy to ascertain why he was thus called. He is here called the son of Alpheus , that is, of Cleophas, . Alpheus and Cleophas were but different ways of writing and pronouncing the same name. This Mary, called the mother of James and Joses, is called the wife of Cleophas, . (u) "names"

Matthew 10:2

Verse 2. The account which follows is more fully given in Mk 3:13-18, Lk 6:12-19. Both of those evangelists have recorded the circumstances of their appointment. They agree in saying it was done on a mountain; and, according to Luke, it was done before the sermon on the mount was delivered, perhaps on the same mountain, near Capernaum. Luke adds, that the night previous had been spent in prayer to God. Lk 6:12.

Simon, who is called Peter. Peter means a rock. He was also called Cephas, Jn 1:42, 1Cor 1:12, 3:22, 15:5, Gal 2:9. This was a Syro-Chaldaic word, signifying the same as Peter. This name was given probably in reference to the resoluteness and firmness which he was to exhibit in preaching the gospel. Before the Saviour's death he was rash, impetuous, and unstable. Afterwards, as all history affirms, he was firm, zealous, steadfast, and immovable. He was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, thinking it too great an honour to die as his Master did. Jn 21:18.

James the son of Zebadee, and John his brother. This James was slain by Herod in a persecution, Ac 12:2. The other James, the son of Alpheus, was stationed at Jerusalem, and was the author of the epistle that bears his name. See Gal 1:19, 2:9, Acts 15:13. A James is mentioned, (Gal 1:19) as the Lord's brother. It has not been easy to ascertain why he was thus called. He is here called the son of Alpheus, that is, of Cleophas, Jn 19:25. Alpheus and Cleophas were but different ways of writing and pronouncing the same name. This Mary, called the mother of James and Joses, is called the wife of Cleophas, Jn 19:25.

(u) "names" Lk 6:13

Acts 1:13

Verse 13. Were come in. To Jerusalem.

They went up into an upper room. The word--υπερωον--here translated upper room, occurs but four times in the New Testament. Acts 9:37, "She (Dorcas) was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber," Acts 9:39, 20:8, "And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together." The room so designated was an upper chamber used for devotion; or to place the dead before burial; or occasionally for conversation, etc. Here it evidently means the place where they were assembled for devotion. Lk 24:53 says they were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. And some have supposed that the upper room here designated was one of the rooms in the temple. But there is no evidence of that; and it is not very probable. Such a room was a part of every house, especially in Jerusalem; and they probably selected one where they might be together, and yet so retired that they might be safe from the Jews.

Where abode. Where were remaining. This does not mean that this was their permanent habitation; but they remained there waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Peter, etc. All the apostles were there which Jesus had at first chosen, except Judas, Lk 6:13-16.

(a) "Peter and James" Lk 6:13-16

Acts 12:2

Verse 2. And he killed, etc. He caused to be put to death with a sword, either by beheading, or piercing him through. The Roman procurators were entrusted with authority over life, though in the time of Pilate the Jews had not this authority. James the brother of John. This was the son of Zebedee, Mt 4:21. He is commonly called James the Greater, in contradistinction from James the son of Alpheus, who is called James the Less, Mt 10:3. In this manner were the predictions of our Saviour respecting him fulfilled. Mt 20:23, "Ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with."