The Beginning: Jesus’ ministry is drawing growing crowds and opposition, and many disciples are following Him. Before making a decisive appointment, He withdraws to a mountain and spends the night in prayer to God.
The Middle: When day comes, Jesus calls His disciples and chooses twelve from among them, designating them as apostles. He gives them a distinct role connected to His mission: to be with Him and to be sent out to preach, with authority associated with His work. The list of the Twelve is recorded, including Simon (whom He names Peter) and Judas Iscariot, who will later betray Him.
The End: The appointment of the Twelve establishes a recognizable core group within Jesus’ wider circle of followers. They begin to accompany Him as primary witnesses of His teaching and deeds, and their calling becomes foundational for the continuation of His mission.
Jesus’ deliberate choice—preceded by prayer—shows that the apostolic mission arises from God’s purpose rather than human initiative. By appointing twelve, Jesus forms a representative community that signals continuity with God’s people (echoing the twelve tribes of Israel) while also pointing to a renewed gathering around Himself. The apostles are commissioned not merely as students but as authorized witnesses and messengers of Jesus’ proclamation of God’s kingdom, a role that will become crucial after His death and resurrection.
In Jewish tradition, the number twelve carried strong covenantal symbolism because Israel was organized around the twelve tribes. In the first-century Jewish world, forming a group of twelve leaders would have communicated a purposeful, public reconstitution of God’s people—framed not as a political revolt, but around Jesus’ teaching, authority, and mission.
“When day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles.” — Luke 6:13
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. What did Jesus do before choosing the twelve apostles?
2. Which person is specifically noted as one who would later betray Jesus?