Matthew 10:3 kjv

Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Matthew 10:3 nkjv

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Matthew 10:3 niv

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Matthew 10:3 esv

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Matthew 10:3 nlt

Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew (the tax collector),
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 3 Meaning

Matthew 10:3 continues the listing of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, naming Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (with the significant identifier "the tax collector"), James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. This verse emphasizes the diversity of backgrounds among those Jesus called to be His closest disciples and entrusted with His divine authority and mission, underscoring that His message and kingdom are open to all, regardless of their past social or occupational standing.

Matthew 10 3 Context

Matthew 10 opens with Jesus commissioning His twelve chosen apostles, endowing them with authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal all kinds of sickness and disease (Mt 10:1). This particular verse, Matthew 10:3, continues the crucial list of these chosen men, establishing who would serve as the foundational witnesses and messengers of His kingdom. The broader context of Matthew 10 provides Jesus' extensive instructions to these disciples for their mission to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," emphasizing reliance on God, perseverance through persecution, and the urgency of the kingdom message. Historically, lists of followers or inner circles were common in rabbinic Judaism, but Jesus' choice of diverse individuals, including a social outcast like a tax collector, starkly contrasted with typical societal norms and highlighted the inclusive nature of His divine call. The number "twelve" is highly symbolic, reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating a new foundation for God's people.

Matthew 10 3 Word analysis

• Philip (Greek: Philippos - Φίλιππος): A Greek name meaning "lover of horses." One of the first disciples called by Jesus, from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter (Jn 1:43-44). He later introduced Nathanael to Jesus, suggesting his role in evangelism (Jn 1:45-46).
• Bartholomew (Greek: Bartholomaios - Βαρθολομαῖος): An Aramaic patronymic name meaning "son of Talmai" or "son of Furrows." Widely identified with Nathanael from Cana of Galilee (Jn 1:45-51), whom Jesus praised as "an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." This highlights his integrity.
• Thomas (Greek: Thomas - Θωμᾶς): An Aramaic name meaning "twin." He is also known as Didymus (Greek: Δίδυμος), which also means "twin" (Jn 11:16, 20:24, 21:2). He is known for his loyalty, as seen in his willingness to die with Jesus, and later for his initial skepticism followed by profound confession of faith in the resurrected Christ.
• Matthew (Greek: Matthaios - Ματθαῖος): A Hebrew name meaning "gift of God." He is also called Levi by Mark and Luke (Mk 2:14; Lk 5:27).
  • the tax collector (Greek: telonēs - τελώνης): This descriptive title is particularly significant and sets Matthew apart. Tax collectors were often despised in Jewish society because they worked for the Roman occupiers, collected taxes, and were often notorious for extortion and corruption. Their inclusion among the disciples scandalized religious leaders. Jesus' call of Matthew demonstrates His mission to reach sinners and outcasts (Mt 9:9-13) and underscores His ability to transform anyone for His purpose, highlighting divine grace over social standing.
• James (Greek: Iakōbos - Ἰάκωβος): A common name, equivalent to Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel."
  • the son of Alphaeus (Greek: Alphaion - Ἀλφαίου): This patronymic is crucial for distinguishing him from James the son of Zebedee (Mt 10:2) and James the brother of Jesus (Gal 1:19, Jas 1:1). He is sometimes identified as "James the Less" (Mk 15:40), likely referring to his stature or age relative to the other James.
• Thaddaeus (Greek: Thaddaios - Θαδδαῖος): The origin of this name is uncertain, possibly meaning "courageous" or "praiseworthy." He is also identified as "Judas, the son of James" in Luke's list of apostles (Lk 6:16) and Acts (Acts 1:13), and sometimes referred to as "Lebbaeus" in other manuscript traditions of Matthew 10:3. He is distinct from Judas Iscariot. In John's Gospel, a "Judas (not Iscariot)" asks a question of Jesus (Jn 14:22). This highlights the careful distinction needed among individuals with similar names and emphasizes the diversity even within this small group.

Matthew 10 3 Bonus section

• The composition of the Twelve reveals Jesus' intention to form a representative group, spanning various personalities and temperaments, suggesting that the kingdom of God embraces a wide spectrum of individuals and gifts.
• The meticulous detailing of "James the son of Alphaeus" and the alternative names for "Thaddaeus" indicates a concern in the early Christian community to accurately distinguish between key individuals, especially those bearing common names, to avoid confusion. This was crucial for establishing apostolic authority and witness.
• The fact that Jesus invested authority (healing, casting out demons) in these imperfect men (who would later stumble, doubt, and even deny Him) emphasizes that His power is perfected in weakness and that His kingdom advances not by human perfection, but by divine commissioning.

Matthew 10 3 Commentary

Matthew 10:3 continues to unfold the foundational structure of the early Christian church: the Twelve Apostles. The specific individuals listed—Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus—illustrate Jesus' deliberate choice of diverse personalities and backgrounds. This roster includes individuals known for directness (Philip), integrity (Bartholomew), loyalty tempered with skepticism (Thomas), and perhaps most strikingly, a former social outcast (Matthew the tax collector).

The inclusion of Matthew, "the tax collector," is profoundly significant. This descriptor would have immediately signified to the Jewish audience that Jesus embraced those whom society, and particularly religious society, condemned as ritually unclean and sinful collaborators with Rome. This act of choosing Matthew underlines Jesus’ mission to call sinners to repentance, to seek and save the lost, and to demonstrate that God's grace transcends human judgment and social barriers. His presence among the Twelve underscored a radical break from traditional social hierarchy and purity codes.

The differing names for some apostles across the Gospels (e.g., Bartholomew/Nathanael, Matthew/Levi, Thaddaeus/Judas son of James/Lebbaeus) are typical for the ancient world where individuals often had multiple names. These variations confirm the oral tradition and different perspectives of the Gospel writers while maintaining the core identity of these foundational figures. Each of these men, despite their individual traits, professions, or social standing, was called, commissioned, and empowered by Jesus to become a pillar of His burgeoning kingdom, underscoring that God equips those He calls. Their mission, outlined in the subsequent verses of Matthew 10, was to declare the good news and heal the broken, a task for which Jesus deemed them, against conventional wisdom, supremely fitted.