Luke 6:15 kjv
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Luke 6:15 nkjv
Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;
Luke 6:15 niv
Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,
Luke 6:15 esv
and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,
Luke 6:15 nlt
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Simon (who was called the zealot),
Luke 6 15 Cross References
(h2)
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 10:2-4 | The names of the twelve apostles are these... Matthew the tax collector... James the son of Alphaeus... Simon the Zealot... Thomas... | Lists apostles. |
| Mk 3:16-19 | Simon he surnamed Peter... and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot... | Lists apostles. |
| Acts 1:13 | ...Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot... | Lists apostles after ascension. |
| Mt 9:9 | As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth... "Follow me." | Matthew's call. |
| Lk 5:27-28 | After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth... "Follow me." | Matthew (Levi)'s call. |
| Jn 11:16 | Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." | Thomas's loyalty. |
| Jn 20:24-29 | But Thomas, one of the Twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came... | Thomas's doubt and faith. |
| Lk 5:29 | Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others... | Matthew's (Levi's) ministry. |
| Eph 2:19-20 | So then you are no longer strangers... but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets... | Apostles as foundation of church. |
| Rev 21:14 | And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. | Apostles in new Jerusalem. |
| Mk 2:15-17 | And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples... | Jesus' association with 'sinners'. |
| 1 Cor 1:26-29 | For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards... but God chose what is foolish... | God chooses unlikely people. |
| Rom 15:7 | Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. | Call to unity despite differences. |
| Col 3:11 | Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. | Unity in Christ over social divisions. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Spiritual equality in Christ. |
| Lk 6:13 | And when it was day, he called his disciples to him, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: | Immediate context of choosing apostles. |
| Lk 9:1-2 | He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim... | Apostles given authority for ministry. |
| Lk 10:1-2 | After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two... | Expansion of missionary work. |
| Jn 14:8 | Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." | Philip is listed directly before Thomas in Luke 6:14, then Thomas. |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." | Disciples are witnesses. |
| Mk 6:7-13 | And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. | Apostles sent out for ministry. |
| Jn 6:66-68 | After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" | The commitment of the Twelve. |
Luke 6 verses
Luke 6 15 Meaning
(h2)This verse continues the enumeration of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus from among His disciples, specifically listing Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes. It signifies the formal establishment of the core leadership group who would accompany Jesus, receive special teaching, and be sent out with divine authority to proclaim the kingdom of God and perform miracles. The inclusion of individuals from vastly different social and political backgrounds underscores the transforming power of Christ and the unifying nature of His kingdom.
Luke 6 15 Context
(h2)Luke 6:15 is part of Jesus' selection of His twelve apostles. This event immediately follows a night of prayer (Lk 6:12) where Jesus went out to the mountain to pray to God. This extended prayer underscores the divine significance and weight of the choices Jesus was about to make. From the larger group of His disciples, He specifically chose twelve, whom He designated as "apostles" (Lk 6:13), meaning "sent ones." This core group would receive intimate training, witness His life and miracles firsthand, and eventually be commissioned to extend His mission. The listing of their names across verses 14-16 establishes the identities of these foundational figures. The selection highlights Jesus' sovereign authority and deliberate intention to form a foundational leadership for His nascent Church, incorporating individuals with diverse backgrounds and skills to serve a common purpose.
Luke 6 15 Word analysis
(h2)
- and Matthew: Matthew (Μαθθαῖος, Maththaios) is known as Levi, the tax collector (Lk 5:27). Tax collectors were typically reviled by Jewish society as collaborators with the Roman occupiers and considered 'sinners.' His inclusion highlights Jesus' call to those considered outcast and His power to transform lives and vocational purposes. He went on to author the Gospel of Matthew.
- and Thomas: Thomas (Θωμᾶς, Thomas) means "twin" (also called Didymus in Greek, meaning twin). He is known for his questioning nature and requiring empirical proof of Jesus' resurrection (Jn 20:24-29). His initial doubt followed by a profound confession ("My Lord and my God!") underscores the personal conviction required for faith and Jesus' patience in revealing truth.
- and James: James (Ἰάκωβος, Iakōbos) is a common Hebrew name (Ya'akov), the Greek equivalent of Jacob. There are multiple Jameses among Jesus' followers.
- the son of Alphaeus: This appellation differentiates this James from James, the son of Zebedee, who was part of Jesus' inner circle (Lk 5:10). Alphaeus (Ἀλφαῖος, Alphaios) is the father of this James. Some traditions link Alphaeus with Clopas (or Cleopas) found in other contexts (Jn 19:25), suggesting his mother Mary (often identified as Mary the wife of Clopas) might be distinct from Mary, Jesus' mother, and Mary Magdalene. This James is less prominent in the Gospel narratives, often called "James the Less" (Mk 15:40) perhaps referring to his stature or age. He is traditionally associated with the authorship of the Epistle of James and leadership in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15).
- and Simon: Another Simon, distinct from Simon Peter.
- called Zelotes: "Zelotes" (ζηλωτής, zēlōtēs) translates to "Zealot." The Zealots were a highly nationalistic, zealous Jewish faction committed to overthrowing Roman rule, often through violence. The presence of a former Zealot, along with a former tax collector (Matthew, a collaborator with Rome), in the same group, vividly illustrates the radical inclusivity of Jesus' call and the unifying power of His person and kingdom, transcending deep-seated social, political, and ideological divides.
Word-groups analysis (ul)
- "and Matthew, and Thomas": These two, by their specific mentions in the Gospels (Matthew's tax booth, Thomas's doubt), offer glimpses into Jesus' ability to choose individuals from widely differing social strata and temperaments, transforming them for His divine purpose.
- "and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes": These names complete the middle section of the list of the twelve apostles. James, the son of Alphaeus, is presented to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee. Simon, uniquely identified as a "Zealot," represents a political extremist, contrasting sharply with Matthew, the former tax collector. This juxtaposition within the same chosen band is a powerful testimony to Christ's ability to reconcile opposites and forge a united mission from disparate backgrounds. It speaks to the supernatural peace and unity that defines His new community.
Luke 6 15 Bonus section
(h2)
- Apostolic Authority: The choice of these individuals as 'apostles' bestows upon them a unique authority as those directly "sent" by Jesus (Lk 6:13), not merely disciples. They would later receive special revelations and empowerments, becoming foundational pillars of the early church (Eph 2:20).
- Contrast and Unity: The diversity, especially between Matthew and Simon the Zealot, prefigures the inclusive nature of the Church. It illustrates that reconciliation in Christ transcends not only religious and ethnic divides but also profound socio-political animosities, demonstrating the power of God's Spirit to knit together disparate individuals into a single body for His glory.
- Completeness of the Twelve: The number twelve itself carries biblical significance, echoing the twelve tribes of Israel and symbolizing the reconstitution of God's people around a new spiritual authority in Christ. The selection of exactly twelve highlights Jesus as the fulfillment and new covenant head of Israel.
Luke 6 15 Commentary
(h2)Luke 6:15 lists four specific apostles—Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes—as part of the twelve foundational figures chosen by Jesus. This simple enumeration carries profound implications. It is a deliberate selection by Jesus, after a night of fervent prayer, underscoring the divine wisdom and intentionality behind the formation of this core group. The names themselves reveal a fascinating spectrum of human experience: Matthew, a social outcast despised for his collaboration with the Roman oppressors; Thomas, a loyal but at times skeptical follower; James, a less prominent figure, yet chosen; and Simon, a radical nationalist who sought violent political revolution. The co-existence of such starkly opposing pasts (like Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot) within the same, intimate circle speaks volumes about Jesus' redemptive power. He calls and transforms people regardless of their prior vocations, social standing, or ideological convictions, uniting them under His singular authority and for His single purpose: the advancement of His kingdom. This group was formed to be a living testament to the possibility of unity amidst diversity, reconciled and unified by their common allegiance to Christ.