Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Apostles » Selection of
[Then] on the next day He [i.e., Jesus, but some think it refers to Peter or Andrew] decided to travel into Galilee, [and there] He found Philip. Jesus said to Philip, "Become my follower."
While Jesus was walking beside Lake Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting their net into the lake, because they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Come with me, and I will make you fishermen for people." They immediately left their nets and went with Him. read more.
[As] Jesus went from there He saw two [other] brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and went with Him.
[As] Jesus went from there He saw two [other] brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and went with Him.
As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, "Become my follower." And he got up and followed Him. And so it happened, as Jesus was having a meal at Matthew's house, a number of [other] tax collectors and worldly people came to sit down with Him and His disciples.
Now the names of the twelve apostles were: First, Simon, also called Peter, Andrew, his brother, James and John, sons of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], Matthew, the tax collector [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon, the Cananean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also [besides being an apostle] was His betrayer.
He then went up into the mountain and summoned those He wanted to come to Him and they came. He appointed twelve apostles to travel with Him, whom He could send out to preach and have authority to drive out evil spirits. read more.
These apostles were: Simon, to whom He gave the added name Peter, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, to whom He gave the added name Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, the son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon the Canaanean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
These apostles were: Simon, to whom He gave the added name Peter, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, to whom He gave the added name Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, the son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon the Canaanean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
And when it was daylight, He called His disciples and chose from among them twelve, whom He also called apostles. [They were] Simon, also called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John [also brothers], Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon, called the Zealot [i.e., the same as the Cananean. See Matt. 10:4], read more.
Judas, the son of James [i.e., the same as Thaddaeus. See Matt. 10:3] and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to Jesus].
Judas, the son of James [i.e., the same as Thaddaeus. See Matt. 10:3] and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to Jesus].
Apostles » Names of
Upon arriving at the house where they were staying, they went upstairs. [Those present were]: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zealous [one] and Judas, the son of James. [Note: Judas Iscariot, the twelfth apostle, had already committed suicide].
Now the names of the twelve apostles were: First, Simon, also called Peter, Andrew, his brother, James and John, sons of Zebedee,
[They were] Simon, also called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John [also brothers], Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45],
Now the names of the twelve apostles were: First, Simon, also called Peter, Andrew, his brother, James and John, sons of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], Matthew, the tax collector [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon, the Cananean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also [besides being an apostle] was His betrayer.
And when it was daylight, He called His disciples and chose from among them twelve, whom He also called apostles. [They were] Simon, also called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John [also brothers], Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon, called the Zealot [i.e., the same as the Cananean. See Matt. 10:4], read more.
Judas, the son of James [i.e., the same as Thaddaeus. See Matt. 10:3] and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to Jesus].
Judas, the son of James [i.e., the same as Thaddaeus. See Matt. 10:3] and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to Jesus].
These apostles were: Simon, to whom He gave the added name Peter, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, to whom He gave the added name Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, the son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon the Canaanean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], read more.
and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
So, they drew lots [i.e., devices used for making random choices] and the lot [i.e., the choice] favored Matthias, so he was added to the other eleven apostles.
Call » To special religious duty » Apostles
You [apostles] did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear much fruit [i.e., through their evangelizing], and that your fruit should last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask Him for in my name [i.e. by my authority].
And as He walked along He saw Levi [i.e., the same person as Matthew. See Matt. 9:9], the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, "Become my follower." And he got up and followed Him.
While Jesus was walking beside Lake Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting their net into the lake, because they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Come with me, and I will make you fishermen for people." They immediately left their nets and went with Him. read more.
[As] Jesus went from there He saw two [other] brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and went with Him.
[As] Jesus went from there He saw two [other] brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and went with Him.
He then went up into the mountain and summoned those He wanted to come to Him and they came. He appointed twelve apostles to travel with Him, whom He could send out to preach and have authority to drive out evil spirits. read more.
These apostles were: Simon, to whom He gave the added name Peter, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, to whom He gave the added name Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, the son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon the Canaanean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
These apostles were: Simon, to whom He gave the added name Peter, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, to whom He gave the added name Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, the son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon the Canaanean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, "Become my follower." And he got up and followed Him.
And while walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw Simon [i.e., Peter] and his brother Andrew casting their net in the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me and I will make you fishermen for people."
Then after these things happened, Jesus went out [i.e., probably walking along a street] and saw a publican [Note: This was a person with a bad reputation for dishonest tax collecting activities] named Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14] sitting at the toll booth [collecting taxes] and said, "Become my follower."
And when it was daylight, He called His disciples and chose from among them twelve, whom He also called apostles. [They were] Simon, also called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John [also brothers], Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon, called the Zealot [i.e., the same as the Cananean. See Matt. 10:4],
Jesus Christ » Miracles of » Heals a demoniac
Then a person dominated by an evil spirit, who was [also] blind and mute, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he was able [both] to speak and see [again]. All the crowds of people were amazed and said, "Can this [Jesus] be the son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man does not drive out evil spirits except by [the power of] Beelzebub, the chief of evil spirits." read more.
Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom [plagued] with internal division will end in ruin. And every city or household divided from within will not survive. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself, [so] how then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, by whom do they [i.e., your people] drive them out? So, they become your judges. But if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. Or, how can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man? Only then will he be able to steal [his belongings] from his house. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven of every sin and abusive word spoken [against God]. But abusive words spoken against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven [of it], but whoever speaks [an abusive word] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [of it], not in this world nor the one to come. Either be a healthy tree and produce wholesome fruit, or be a diseased tree and produce rotten fruit, for [the quality of] a tree will be recognized by [the quality of] its fruit. You children of snakes! Since you are evil, how do you expect to speak good things? For the mouth speaks what the heart is filled with. The good person produces good things from his storehouse of goodness. But the evil person produces bad things from his storehouse of evil. And I say to you, a person will [have to] give an account [to God] on the day of judgment for every careless word he had spoken [while on earth]. For you will be considered righteous by the words [you speak] and you will be condemned by the words [you speak]."
Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom [plagued] with internal division will end in ruin. And every city or household divided from within will not survive. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself, [so] how then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, by whom do they [i.e., your people] drive them out? So, they become your judges. But if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. Or, how can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man? Only then will he be able to steal [his belongings] from his house. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven of every sin and abusive word spoken [against God]. But abusive words spoken against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven [of it], but whoever speaks [an abusive word] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [of it], not in this world nor the one to come. Either be a healthy tree and produce wholesome fruit, or be a diseased tree and produce rotten fruit, for [the quality of] a tree will be recognized by [the quality of] its fruit. You children of snakes! Since you are evil, how do you expect to speak good things? For the mouth speaks what the heart is filled with. The good person produces good things from his storehouse of goodness. But the evil person produces bad things from his storehouse of evil. And I say to you, a person will [have to] give an account [to God] on the day of judgment for every careless word he had spoken [while on earth]. For you will be considered righteous by the words [you speak] and you will be condemned by the words [you speak]."
and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house. Soon a crowd assembled again so that they could not even eat a meal [i.e., without people crowding all around them]. When His relatives [or friends] heard about this [i.e., all that He was doing], they went out to take custody of Him [for safety reasons?], for people were saying, "He has lost his mind." read more.
And the experts in the law of Moses who had come down from Jerusalem were saying [Note: This followed the incident of Jesus healing a man with an evil spirit. See Matt. 12:22-28], "He has Beelzebub [in him]," and "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits." And He called them to Him and began speaking to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "How can Satan drive out Satan? And if a kingdom is plagued by internal division, it will never survive. And if a household is divided [by strife] within, that household will never last. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided [i.e., in aim and purpose] he cannot survive, and his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man. Only then will he be able to steal from his house. Truly I tell you, all of mankind's sins and the abusive language that they use in speaking against God [and men] can be forgiven. But the person who speaks against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, for he is guilty of a never ending sin." Jesus said all this because these experts in the law of Moses had been saying, "He has an evil spirit in him."
And the experts in the law of Moses who had come down from Jerusalem were saying [Note: This followed the incident of Jesus healing a man with an evil spirit. See Matt. 12:22-28], "He has Beelzebub [in him]," and "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits." And He called them to Him and began speaking to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "How can Satan drive out Satan? And if a kingdom is plagued by internal division, it will never survive. And if a household is divided [by strife] within, that household will never last. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided [i.e., in aim and purpose] he cannot survive, and his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man. Only then will he be able to steal from his house. Truly I tell you, all of mankind's sins and the abusive language that they use in speaking against God [and men] can be forgiven. But the person who speaks against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, for he is guilty of a never ending sin." Jesus said all this because these experts in the law of Moses had been saying, "He has an evil spirit in him."
[Once] Jesus was driving out an evil spirit from a [man who was] mute. And it happened when the evil spirit left [him] that the [former] mute began to speak. And the crowds were amazed. But some of the people said, "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, the chief of evil spirits."
But, knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom [plagued] with internal division will end in ruin. And a household divided from within will fall. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how [then] can his kingdom stand? I tell you this because you are saying that I drove out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub. But, if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So, they will be your judges. read more.
But, if I drive out evil spirits by the finger of God [i.e., by God's direct, supernatural intervention], then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. When a fully armed strong man guards his own courtyard [i.e., homestead], his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all the armament the strong man relied on, and [then] divides up his storehouse of possessions. [Note: The word here translated "possessions" may be translated "arms" so the meaning could be "divides up his armament"]. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me].
But, if I drive out evil spirits by the finger of God [i.e., by God's direct, supernatural intervention], then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. When a fully armed strong man guards his own courtyard [i.e., homestead], his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all the armament the strong man relied on, and [then] divides up his storehouse of possessions. [Note: The word here translated "possessions" may be translated "arms" so the meaning could be "divides up his armament"]. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me].
Jesus Christ » History of » Heals a demoniac, and denounces the scribes and pharisees (in galilee)
Then a person dominated by an evil spirit, who was [also] blind and mute, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he was able [both] to speak and see [again]. All the crowds of people were amazed and said, "Can this [Jesus] be the son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man does not drive out evil spirits except by [the power of] Beelzebub, the chief of evil spirits." read more.
Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom [plagued] with internal division will end in ruin. And every city or household divided from within will not survive. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself, [so] how then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, by whom do they [i.e., your people] drive them out? So, they become your judges. But if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. Or, how can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man? Only then will he be able to steal [his belongings] from his house. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven of every sin and abusive word spoken [against God]. But abusive words spoken against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven [of it], but whoever speaks [an abusive word] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [of it], not in this world nor the one to come. Either be a healthy tree and produce wholesome fruit, or be a diseased tree and produce rotten fruit, for [the quality of] a tree will be recognized by [the quality of] its fruit. You children of snakes! Since you are evil, how do you expect to speak good things? For the mouth speaks what the heart is filled with. The good person produces good things from his storehouse of goodness. But the evil person produces bad things from his storehouse of evil. And I say to you, a person will [have to] give an account [to God] on the day of judgment for every careless word he had spoken [while on earth]. For you will be considered righteous by the words [you speak] and you will be condemned by the words [you speak]."
Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom [plagued] with internal division will end in ruin. And every city or household divided from within will not survive. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself, [so] how then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, by whom do they [i.e., your people] drive them out? So, they become your judges. But if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. Or, how can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man? Only then will he be able to steal [his belongings] from his house. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven of every sin and abusive word spoken [against God]. But abusive words spoken against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven [of it], but whoever speaks [an abusive word] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [of it], not in this world nor the one to come. Either be a healthy tree and produce wholesome fruit, or be a diseased tree and produce rotten fruit, for [the quality of] a tree will be recognized by [the quality of] its fruit. You children of snakes! Since you are evil, how do you expect to speak good things? For the mouth speaks what the heart is filled with. The good person produces good things from his storehouse of goodness. But the evil person produces bad things from his storehouse of evil. And I say to you, a person will [have to] give an account [to God] on the day of judgment for every careless word he had spoken [while on earth]. For you will be considered righteous by the words [you speak] and you will be condemned by the words [you speak]."
and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house. Soon a crowd assembled again so that they could not even eat a meal [i.e., without people crowding all around them]. When His relatives [or friends] heard about this [i.e., all that He was doing], they went out to take custody of Him [for safety reasons?], for people were saying, "He has lost his mind." read more.
And the experts in the law of Moses who had come down from Jerusalem were saying [Note: This followed the incident of Jesus healing a man with an evil spirit. See Matt. 12:22-28], "He has Beelzebub [in him]," and "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits." And He called them to Him and began speaking to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "How can Satan drive out Satan? And if a kingdom is plagued by internal division, it will never survive. And if a household is divided [by strife] within, that household will never last. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided [i.e., in aim and purpose] he cannot survive, and his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man. Only then will he be able to steal from his house. Truly I tell you, all of mankind's sins and the abusive language that they use in speaking against God [and men] can be forgiven. But the person who speaks against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, for he is guilty of a never ending sin." Jesus said all this because these experts in the law of Moses had been saying, "He has an evil spirit in him."
And the experts in the law of Moses who had come down from Jerusalem were saying [Note: This followed the incident of Jesus healing a man with an evil spirit. See Matt. 12:22-28], "He has Beelzebub [in him]," and "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits." And He called them to Him and began speaking to them in parables [i.e., brief stories to illustrate His teaching], saying, "How can Satan drive out Satan? And if a kingdom is plagued by internal division, it will never survive. And if a household is divided [by strife] within, that household will never last. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided [i.e., in aim and purpose] he cannot survive, and his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and steal his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man. Only then will he be able to steal from his house. Truly I tell you, all of mankind's sins and the abusive language that they use in speaking against God [and men] can be forgiven. But the person who speaks against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, for he is guilty of a never ending sin." Jesus said all this because these experts in the law of Moses had been saying, "He has an evil spirit in him."
[Once] Jesus was driving out an evil spirit from a [man who was] mute. And it happened when the evil spirit left [him] that the [former] mute began to speak. And the crowds were amazed. But some of the people said, "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, the chief of evil spirits." Then others, trying to test Him, asked Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven. read more.
But, knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom [plagued] with internal division will end in ruin. And a household divided from within will fall. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how [then] can his kingdom stand? I tell you this because you are saying that I drove out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub. But, if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So, they will be your judges. But, if I drive out evil spirits by the finger of God [i.e., by God's direct, supernatural intervention], then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. When a fully armed strong man guards his own courtyard [i.e., homestead], his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all the armament the strong man relied on, and [then] divides up his storehouse of possessions. [Note: The word here translated "possessions" may be translated "arms" so the meaning could be "divides up his armament"]. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. "When an evil spirit has been driven out of a man, it roams through desert regions trying to find rest, but [when it] cannot find any, it says [to itself], 'I will return to my house from which I came [i.e., the body of the person it dominated].' But when it returns [to that body] it finds it cleaned out and [newly] decorated. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits, more evil than itself, and they reenter [the body] and [begin] to live there, so that the latter state of that person becomes worse than the former state."
But, knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom [plagued] with internal division will end in ruin. And a household divided from within will fall. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how [then] can his kingdom stand? I tell you this because you are saying that I drove out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub. But, if I drive out evil spirits by [the power of] Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So, they will be your judges. But, if I drive out evil spirits by the finger of God [i.e., by God's direct, supernatural intervention], then [that is evidence that] the kingdom of God has come into your midst [i.e., by my presence and ministry]. When a fully armed strong man guards his own courtyard [i.e., homestead], his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all the armament the strong man relied on, and [then] divides up his storehouse of possessions. [Note: The word here translated "possessions" may be translated "arms" so the meaning could be "divides up his armament"]. The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. "When an evil spirit has been driven out of a man, it roams through desert regions trying to find rest, but [when it] cannot find any, it says [to itself], 'I will return to my house from which I came [i.e., the body of the person it dominated].' But when it returns [to that body] it finds it cleaned out and [newly] decorated. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits, more evil than itself, and they reenter [the body] and [begin] to live there, so that the latter state of that person becomes worse than the former state."
Jesus Christ » History of » Goes up onto a mountain, and calls and commissions twelve disciples (in galilee)
Now the names of the twelve apostles were: First, Simon, also called Peter, Andrew, his brother, James and John, sons of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], Matthew, the tax collector [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon, the Cananean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also [besides being an apostle] was His betrayer.
He then went up into the mountain and summoned those He wanted to come to Him and they came. He appointed twelve apostles to travel with Him, whom He could send out to preach and have authority to drive out evil spirits. read more.
These apostles were: Simon, to whom He gave the added name Peter, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, to whom He gave the added name Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, the son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon the Canaanean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
These apostles were: Simon, to whom He gave the added name Peter, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, to whom He gave the added name Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, the son of James. See Luke 6:16], Simon the Canaanean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
And it happened during that time that Jesus went out to the mountain [i.e., probably a hillside near Capernaum] to pray, and continued praying to God all night. And when it was daylight, He called His disciples and chose from among them twelve, whom He also called apostles. [They were] Simon, also called Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John [also brothers], Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], read more.
Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon, called the Zealot [i.e., the same as the Cananean. See Matt. 10:4], Judas, the son of James [i.e., the same as Thaddaeus. See Matt. 10:3] and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to Jesus]. Then He came down [from the mountain] with them and stood on a level place [where] a large crowd of His disciples and a large group of people had gathered to hear Him and be healed from their diseases. And [also] those who were tormented by evil spirits were healed. Then the whole crowd tried to touch Him because [supernatural] power was coming from His body, and He healed all of them.
Matthew [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon, called the Zealot [i.e., the same as the Cananean. See Matt. 10:4], Judas, the son of James [i.e., the same as Thaddaeus. See Matt. 10:3] and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to Jesus]. Then He came down [from the mountain] with them and stood on a level place [where] a large crowd of His disciples and a large group of people had gathered to hear Him and be healed from their diseases. And [also] those who were tormented by evil spirits were healed. Then the whole crowd tried to touch Him because [supernatural] power was coming from His body, and He healed all of them.
Judas » Chosen » Apostle
Judas, the son of James [i.e., the same as Thaddaeus. See Matt. 10:3] and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to Jesus].
Simon, the Cananean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also [besides being an apostle] was His betrayer.
and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Then Jesus went into a house.
For he was one of our number and shared with us [in the responsibility of] this ministry."