Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 10

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

See the way of making apostles. They were first disciples, and afterwards teachers of others: they were specially his, and then they were given to be a blessing to men. They were "called unto him"; and thus their higher call came to them. In the presence of their Lord they received their equipment: "He gave them power."

Is that so with us in our own special office? Let us come to him, that we may be clothed with his authority and girded with his strength.

Their power was miraculous; but it was an imitation of their Lord's, and the words applied to it are very much the same as we have seen in use about his miracles of healing. The twelve were made to represent their Lord. We, too, may be enabled to do what Jesus did among men. Oh, for such an endowment!

And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

They were first Christ's disciples, and then he sent them out as his apostles, clothed with power and authority very similar to his own.

And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. (Matthew 10:1–4)

1. The first lesson to be learned from these names is that these men are mentioned in couples. I think that, as a rule, God's servants work best in pairs. In other senses than the matrimonial one, it is not good that man should be alone. Moses needs Aaron; Peter needs Andrew; James needs John. It is well to be of such a temperament and disposition that you can work harmoniously with another of your Lord's servants. If you cannot, pray God to alter you.

2. Second, notice the expression in verse 3 (Matthew 10:3), "and Bartholomew." I think there is not a single instance in the New Testament where Bartholomew is mentioned without the word "and" before or after his name – "and Bartholomew," or "Bartholomew and" someone else. Perhaps he was not a man who ever began any work by himself, but he was a grand man to join in and help it on when somebody else had started it. So, dear friend, if you are not qualified to be a leader in the Church of Christ, be willing to be Number Two; but do serve the Master, in some capacity or other, with all your might. Be a brother who carries an "and" with him wherever he goes; be like a horse that has his harness on and is ready to be hooked into the team. That is the lesson of the two words "and Bartholomew."

3. The last lesson from the names is at the end of verse 4 (Matthew 10:4): "and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him." He preached of Christ, he worked miracles in the name of Christ, he was ordained as one of the apostles of Christ, yet he was "the son of perdition." Oh! Let none of us be content merely with our official position, or trust in the good which we hope we have done, or in any gifts with which the Master has entrusted us. Judas Iscariot had all these marks of distinction, yet he betrayed his Lord. God grant that no one among us may turn out to be a Judas Iscariot!

See the way of making apostles. They were first disciples and afterwards teachers of others. They were specially His and then they were given to be a blessing to men. They were called unto him and thus their higher call came to them. In the presence of their Lord, they received their equipment, and gave them power. Is that so with us in our own special office? Let us come to Him that we may be clothed with His authority and girded with His strength.

Their power was miraculous, but it was an imitation of their Lord’s, and the words applied to it are very much the same as we have seen used to describe His miracles of healing. The twelve were made to represent their Lord. We, too, may be enabled to do what Jesus did among men. Oh, for such an endowment!

The Holy Spirit does not object to truthful statistics. There were twelve apostles. This was a complete number, neither too many nor too few, and a number that linked the spiritual Israel with the nation that had typified it. The Holy Spirit has no fondness for anonymity or for the use of initials, as some do these days. He gives the names—and why not? Order is observed in this roster.

“The first,” for he generally put himself first and, by his energy and ability, was most fittingly the leader, “Simon who is called Peter,” “a stone,” and a truly solid stone he became. With him is Andrew, his manly brother. It is well when brothers in the flesh are brothers in spirit. Then come James and John, the two sons of thunder, one of them so soon to be a martyr, the other so inexpressibly dear to the Lord Jesus.