Mark 3:14 kjv
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Mark 3:14 nkjv
Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,
Mark 3:14 niv
He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach
Mark 3:14 esv
And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach
Mark 3:14 nlt
Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,
Mark 3 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 49:28 | All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them... | Symbolic number 12, tribes of Israel. |
| Exod 24:4 | ...and he built an altar at the foot of the mountain and twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. | 12 pillars representing tribes. |
| Josh 4:8 | So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them... and they carried them over to their camp and laid them down there. | 12 stones from Jordan, covenant memory. |
| Matt 4:18-22 | As Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers... and he said to them, “Come, follow me...” | Jesus calling early disciples. |
| Matt 10:1-5 | Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over impure spirits... These are the twelve apostles... | Parallel account of commissioning, names the 12. |
| Matt 19:28 | Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” | Future role of the Twelve. |
| Matt 28:18-20 | Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." | The Great Commission, global sending. |
| Mk 1:14-15 | After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. | Jesus' own preaching ministry. |
| Mk 6:7 | Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. | Actual sending out of the 12. |
| Lk 6:12-13 | One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles... | Jesus' prayer before choosing the Twelve. |
| Lk 9:1-2 | When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. | Authority given for their mission. |
| Lk 10:1 | After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. | Broader sending of others to preach. |
| Lk 10:39 | She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. | Example of being "with him" in discipleship. |
| Jn 15:4-5 | Remain in me, as I also remain in you... I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. | Emphasizes need to abide in Christ. |
| Jn 20:21 | Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” | Jesus sending the disciples as He was sent. |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” | Power and purpose of being witnesses. |
| Acts 4:13 | When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus. | Recognition of apostles' training/fellowship. |
| Acts 5:42 | Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. | Apostolic activity of teaching and preaching. |
| Rom 1:1 | Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— | Paul's understanding of apostleship. |
| 1 Cor 1:17 | For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel... | Paul emphasizing his mission to preach. |
| Eph 2:20 | built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. | Apostles as foundational to the Church. |
| Col 1:28 | He is the one we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. | Apostolic goal: maturity in Christ through teaching/preaching. |
| 1 Jn 1:3 | We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. | Apostolic witness for fellowship. |
Mark 3 verses
Mark 3 14 Meaning
Mark 3:14 details Jesus' deliberate and strategic action of appointing twelve specific individuals, formally bestowing upon them the title "apostles." This designation carried a dual purpose: first, that these chosen ones would share intimate fellowship and training directly with Him, and second, that they would be subsequently sent out with authority to proclaim His message, effectively extending His mission beyond His physical presence. It signifies the establishment of a core group to foundationalize His Kingdom and spread the Gospel.
Mark 3 14 Context
Mark chapter 3 opens with Jesus healing a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath, directly confronting the religious leaders (Pharisees and Herodians) who plot against Him. Following this escalating conflict, massive crowds flock to Jesus from across the regions, bringing their sick and demon-possessed, who are healed by His touch. Amidst this overwhelming popularity and growing opposition, Jesus withdraws to a mountain (as recounted in Luke's parallel account, Lk 6:12-13, where He spent the night in prayer), and it is from there that He initiates a critical, structured step: the formal appointment of the Twelve. This action marks a transition from general crowd interaction to establishing an authoritative inner circle, preparing them to continue and expand His ministry beyond His immediate physical presence.
Mark 3 14 Word analysis
- And he appointed (καὶ ἐποίησεν - kai epoiēsen): "Epoiēsen" (from ποιέω - poieō) means to make, to do, to create, or to appoint. It's more than merely choosing or selecting; it implies a deliberate, formal act of setting apart or instituting with specific authority and purpose. This isn't a casual gathering but an official, purposeful commissioning.
- twelve (δώδεκα - dōdeka): The number 12 is profoundly significant in biblical numerology, echoing the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen 49:28, Exod 24:4). Jesus' choice of twelve symbolizes the re-founding of God's people, establishing a new spiritual Israel, not based on tribal lineage but on allegiance to Him (Matt 19:28, Rev 21:12). It underscores continuity with God's covenant plan and also radical newness.
- whom he also named apostles (οὓς καὶ ἀποστόλους ὠνόμασεν - hous kai apostolous onomasen): This is the first explicit use of the term "apostles" in Mark's Gospel. "Apostolos" (ἀπόστολος) literally means "one sent forth," an emissary, delegate, or messenger sent with specific authority to represent the sender (Jn 20:21). It denotes a unique office and authority (Eph 2:20), distinguishing these twelve from the broader group of "disciples" (learners). The naming signifies a change in status and role.
- so that they might be with him (ἵνα ὦσιν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ - hina ōsin met' autou): This is the primary and immediate purpose. "Hina" (ἵνα) denotes purpose. It emphasizes personal relationship, fellowship, observation, and direct instruction (Lk 10:39). This close companionship allowed them to intimately learn from Jesus' life, teachings, character, and methods. Their formation was essential before their mission (Acts 4:13, Jn 15:4).
- and he might send them out (καὶ ἵνα ἀποστέλλῃ αὐτοὺς - kai hina apostellē autous): "Apostellē" (from ἀποστέλλω - apostellō) is the verb form of the noun "apostolos." It directly links their title to their future function. This is the second, future-oriented purpose clause. They were appointed, trained, and then would be "sent" to continue Jesus' work (Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).
- to preach (κηρύσσειν - kēryssein): "Kēryssein" (from κηρύσσω - kēryssō) means to proclaim, to herald, to announce officially and authoritatively. This was their central task. Their message would be the "gospel" or "good news" that Jesus Himself preached (Mk 1:14-15), concerning the Kingdom of God, repentance, and belief in Christ (Acts 5:42).
- "appointed twelve": Signifies a formal, divinely initiated action of establishing a new foundational group, connecting them to God's past covenants and future plans.
- "whom he also named apostles, so that...": Highlights the deliberate transformation of identity (from disciple to apostle) tied directly to a specific dual purpose: first, intimate personal formation through direct mentorship ("be with him"), and second, official delegated mission ("send them out to preach"). The purpose defines the identity.
- "be with him and he might send them out to preach": Reveals Jesus' pedagogical approach: relationship precedes mission, formation precedes function. Their being with Him was not an end in itself but preparation for effective, authoritative proclamation.
Mark 3 14 Bonus section
The act of "naming" them apostles signifies a conferral of identity and authority beyond just a job title; it defines who they are in relation to Jesus' mission. In the ancient world, to be "sent" (apostolos) by someone important meant carrying the full authority and message of the sender. This makes them representatives, plenipotentiaries, speaking and acting as if Jesus Himself were present. This model of relationship preceding mission is paramount: the authenticity and power of their preaching were directly tied to their prior, sustained communion with Christ. This verse also implicitly highlights Jesus' divine authority – He, not any existing religious body, selects and commissions His chosen leaders for a new era of God's Kingdom.
Mark 3 14 Commentary
Mark 3:14 presents a foundational moment in Jesus' earthly ministry, establishing the core leadership that would eventually carry forth the Gospel. The choice of "twelve" is steeped in Israel's history, symbolizing a restoration and re-founding of God's people around Jesus. He not only selected them but "appointed" them, indicating a formal, divinely sanctioned designation for a specific, weighty task. Critically, He "named" them "apostles," imbuing them with the authority of those sent by a superior (Jn 20:21). The verse outlines a twofold purpose that encapsulates the essence of discipleship and ministry: first, to be in constant, intimate fellowship and training with Jesus, learning directly from His life, teachings, and power (the internal formation). Second, upon completion of this initial phase, they were to be sent out to "preach," to herald and proclaim the good news with the same authority they witnessed in their Master (the external mission). This order is vital: personal communion and spiritual formation precede and empower effective proclamation, ensuring that their message and method would faithfully reflect Christ Himself. This appointment initiated a structured body vital for the burgeoning Christian movement and laid the groundwork for the Church's future foundation (Eph 2:20).