Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 10:2

"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;" — Matthew 10:2 (ASV)

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.