And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

LUKE 6:13KJV
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Luke 6:13 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:13 mean?

Luke 6:13 describes Jesus choosing a smaller group from among his followers and giving them a distinct name. The verse marks the point at which twelve disciples become a recognizable group within the larger company of people learning from him.

The choice comes at daybreak, after Jesus has spent the night praying in verse 12. Jesus calls his disciples to himself before making the selection. Luke then names the twelve in the verses that follow.

The Greek behind Luke 6:13

  • “disciples” — μαθητής (mathētēs): The word means a learner or pupil. Here it describes the larger group from which Jesus makes his choice.
  • “apostles” — ἀπόστολος (apostolos): The word carries the sense of someone sent out as a representative. Jesus gives this name to the twelve he has chosen.

Why Luke 6:13 matters

  • The two names describe overlapping groups, not separate crowds. The twelve are chosen “of them”—that is, from the disciples Jesus has called to himself.
  • The number twelve gives the group a defined membership. Luke’s list in verses 14–16 identifies the people included, rather than leaving “apostles” as a general description of all Jesus’ followers.
  • Luke places the choice immediately after a night of prayer. That sequence draws attention to the importance of the selection in the story.

Where else these words appear

“called” Greek G4377 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
  • Luke 13:12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
  • Acts 21:40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

“named” Greek G3687 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 6:14 Simon,(whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
  • 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
  • Ephesians 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

“chose” Greek G1586 · used in 19 verses

  • Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
  • John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
  • Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

“twelve” Greek G1427 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.