Matthew 10:1-4, part 2

Matthew Chapter 9:36-10:42 – Jesus Prepares and Commissions the Twelve Apostles Part 2 – Matthew 10:2 – Andrew, James, John Review: In Matthew 9:36-10:4, Jesus declares to His disciples that it is time to increase the shepherds because the people were distressed and dispirited by the Pharisees and scribes who were not shepherding the people in accordance with the Law. Fortunately, Jesus had been training shepherds as their replacement. The apostles and other disciples are called to be gentle, merciful, peacemakers; they are salt and light and are being trained by Jesus not only in the message of the kingdom but will also receive power to do the same actions as Jesus to validate the message of the kingdom of heaven. In the last lesson, we discussed Peter (Cephas, Simon, son of John). We remarked that Pater is the leader of the apostles and is the instrumental apostle in the first part of the Apostolic Age. Andrew Andrew is “Ἀνδρέας Andreas” and comes from the root word “ἀνήρ anēr” which means man. Andrew’s name means “manly.” In Hebrew, his name may have been a derivative of “Adam” or “Ish.” He is referenced twice in Matthew, 4 times in Mark, once in Luke, 5 times in John, and once in Acts. In Acts Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he is listed with the other apostles. Two verses (Matthew 4:18 and Mark 1:16) are identical in content. This leaves us with only seven verses to study Andrew from the Bible. Andrew was a fisherman – Matthew 4:18 He lived with his family in Bethsaida – John 1:44, Mark 1:29 Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptizer – John 1:40 Andrew was one of the first to recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God and is recognized typically as the first disciple of Jesus – John 1:35-40 Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus – John 1:41-42 Although it does not say, it appears that Phillip also knew of Jesus through or with Andrew – John 1:4344 Andrew was just outside the main three – Mark 13:3-4 (Olivet Discourse), John 12:20-28 Andrew was the one who offered up the fish and loaves to Jesus and witnessed directly Jesus feeding the five thousand (John 6:1-11). Many times, Andrew and Phillip are mentioned together, and it is presumed that when the disciples went out two-by-two, they would have been together. I like what Eric says about Andrew, “Andrew has a minor part in a major role.” We do not have a lot of information about Andrew, but he was instrumental within the group of apostles. Book of Matthew – 038 Beth Haven Church 2022 1 Matthew Chapter 9:36-10:42 – Jesus Prepares and Commissions the Twelve Apostles Part 2 – Matthew 10:2 – Andrew, James, John In historical extra-biblical texts, Andrew is said to have gone to Scythia, the region north of the Black Sea, modern-day Ukraine, into Russia as well as portions of Greece. There is no documentation, but it is widely held that Andrew was martyred by being crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Achaia. King Angus of Scotland says he saw an X-shaped cross appear in the sky and believed it was a sign of Saint Andrew’s protection. The Scots were victorious, and King Angus immediately decreed that Andrew would forever be the patron saint of his country. The flag of Scotland is called “St. Andrew’s Cross.” James the Son of Zebedee Ἰάκωβος Iakōbos is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew “Jacob.” This name is an obvious attestation to Jacob, son of Isaac, and this name means “heel grabber or usurper.” He has more referents than Andrew but still less than Peter or his brother, John. He is one of the first four disciples and was in the inner circle of the three (Peter, James, and John). He left his father’s business (Zebedee and Sons Fishing Company) to follow Jesus. This did not leave His father destitute because he had servants or hired hands – Mark 1:20 He was probably older than John, being named first with his brother – Matthew 4:21 James and his brother, John, were partners with Peter in the fishing business – Luke 5:10 Along with his brother, John, they were given the moniker “Boanerges” which means Sons of Thunder. The explanation for this nickname is not given in Scripture, but it is presumed to be because of their desire to destroy some Sarmatians with fire from heaven – Mark 1:20, Luke 9:51-56 James seemed to be very presumptuous – Mark 9:38-40, 10:35-40 James was one of the three to see Jesus transfigured – Matthew 17:1-9 He was one of the three that witnessed the synagogue official’s daughter resuscitated back to life – Mark 5:35-42 James, with Peter and John, often asked questions that led to many recorded teachings – Matthew 17:1013, 20:24-28, Mark 13:3 James was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed but fell asleep – Matthew 26:36-41 James did not have a long career. In the first 15 years of the church, the apostles had successes and opposition, but around 40 AD, James becomes the first apostle martyred – Acts 12:1-2 John Ἰωάννης Iōannēs is the Greek name, and his Hebrew name was probably “Yochaan” which means YHWH is gracious. In the Gospels, John is often mentioned with James. And if James was there, so was John. As the author of the Gospel of John, he never refers to himself or his brother by name, rather he refers to himself as “the beloved disciple.” Book of Matthew – 038 Beth Haven Church 2022 2 Matthew Chapter 9:36-10:42 – Jesus Prepares and Commissions the Twelve Apostles Part 2 – Matthew 10:2 – Andrew, James, John He leans on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper – John 13:23 He asks Jesus who will betray Him – John 13:24–25 He is entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother – John 19:26–27 He reaches the empty tomb before Peter – John 20:4 He is the first of the apostles to believe that Jesus is resurrected – John 20:8 He recognizes the risen Lord and identifies Him for Peter – John 21:7 As Peter becomes the focal point in Acts, John is second to Peter, and they often are seen together in the early church – Acts 3:1-12, 4:13-20 John was sent with Peter to Samaria after Philip had evangelized there – Acts 8:14-17 John, with Peter and James (not his brother), was attested to be a pillar of the apostles and of the truth – Galatians 2:9-10 John is also the author of 1-3 John as well as Revelation. John becomes the elder when he outlives all the other apostles, and the Book of Revelation is the last of the Apostolic writings. According to extra-biblical information, John became the elder at Ephesus (this is possible but unsubstantiated). Eventually, he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Tradition states that they attempted to execute him by boiling him in oil. When he suffered no injuries, they exiled him to the Greek island of Patmos. It was while at Patmos that John received the revelation from Jesus Christ – Revelation 1:9 Unsubstantiated tradition states that John eventually returned to Ephesus where he died of old age sometime after 98 AD. Book of Matthew – 038 Beth Haven Church 2022 3