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 10:2KJV
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Matthew 10:2 (KJV)

What does Matthew 10:2 mean?

Matthew 10:2 lists the names of the first four of Jesus’s twelve apostles: Simon (called Peter), his brother Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. This verse introduces the group Jesus chose to be his closest followers and representatives.

In this passage, Matthew is narrating to his readers, giving a formal introduction to the twelve apostles. The verse highlights the importance of these individuals by naming them specifically, starting with Simon Peter, who is often seen as a leading figure among the apostles. This list sets the stage for the instructions and mission Jesus will soon give to these men in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“Zebedee” Greek G2199 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
  • Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

“Andrew” Greek G406 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
  • Mark 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
  • John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

“James” Greek G2385 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
  • Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

“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 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
  • 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.