Mark 3:16

and Simon We have in the New Testament fourlists of the Apostles: (a) Matthew 10:2; (b) Mark 3:16; (c) Luke 6:14; (d) Acts 1:13. The position of some of the names varies in the lists, but in all four the leaders of the three groupsare the same, Peter, Philip, and James, the son of Alphæus, while in all four Judas Iscariot is placed last. According to St Mark's catalogue they may be arranged in three groups:

(i) 1 Peter.

2 James.

3 John.

4 Andrew.

(ii) 5 Philip.

6 Bartholomew.

7 Matthew.

8 Thomas.

(iii) 9 James the Less.

10 Thaddæus.

11 Simon the Cananite.

12 Judas Iscariot.

(a) Groupi

i. Simon. The name of Simeon (Acts 15:14) or Simon, a "hearer," the son of Jonas (John 1:42; John 21:16), whom our Lord surnamed Peter or Cephas, the Rock-man, stands first in all the four lists. He was brought up in his father's occupation, as a fisherman on the Galilean lake, and lived originally at Bethsaida, and afterwards in a house at Capernaum (Mark 1:21; Mark 1:29). His earliest call came to him through his brother Andrew, who told him the Messias, the "Anointed One," had been found in the Person of the Lord (John 1:43). His second call took place on the lake near Capernaum, where he and the other three in this group were fishing. He is specially prominent on various occasions before the rest of the Apostles. Sometimes he speaks in their name(Matthew 19:27; Luke 12:41); sometimes answers when all are addressed(Matthew 16:16; Mark 8:29); sometimes he is addressed as principal, even among the favoured Three by our Lord Himself (Matthew 26:40; Luke 22:31); sometimes he is appealed to by others as representing the rest(Matthew 17:24; Acts 2:37). After the Ascension he assumes a position of special prominence (Acts 1:15; Acts 2:14; Acts 4:8; Acts 5:29).