Mark 3:14
He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach,
He appointed twelve
In this phrase, "He" refers to Jesus Christ, who is taking a decisive action in His ministry. The Greek word for "appointed" is "ἐποίησεν" (epoiesen), which can also mean "made" or "established." This indicates a deliberate and purposeful act by Jesus, emphasizing His authority and intentionality in choosing the twelve. The number "twelve" is significant, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, thus representing a new spiritual Israel. This choice underscores the continuity and fulfillment of God's covenantal promises through Jesus.

that they might be with Him
The phrase "that they might be with Him" highlights the relational aspect of discipleship. The Greek word "μετ' αὐτοῦ" (met' autou) implies a close, personal association. Jesus desired not just followers, but companions who would share in His life and mission. This reflects the heart of Christian discipleship, which is not merely about learning doctrines but about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Christ. Historically, this was a radical departure from the rabbinic tradition, where disciples sought out teachers; here, Jesus seeks out His disciples.

and that He might send them out to preach
The purpose of their appointment is twofold: to be with Jesus and to be sent out. The Greek word for "send" is "ἀποστέλλω" (apostellō), from which we derive the term "apostle." This sending is not just a task but a commissioning, an entrusting of authority and mission. The word "preach" is "κηρύσσειν" (kērussein), meaning to proclaim or herald. This reflects the core mission of the apostles: to announce the good news of the Kingdom of God. In the historical context, this was a revolutionary message, challenging both Jewish and Roman authorities and offering hope to the marginalized.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one who appoints the twelve apostles. His authority and purpose are evident in His selection and commissioning of the apostles.

2. The Twelve Apostles
These are the individuals chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers and to carry out His mission. They are given the special role of being sent out to preach.

3. The Appointment
This event marks a significant moment in Jesus' ministry where He establishes a core group of followers to extend His work and message.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Being Chosen
Jesus' selection of the twelve apostles underscores the importance of divine calling and purpose in our lives. We are reminded that God chooses and equips us for specific roles in His kingdom.

The Role of Apostleship
The apostles were not only companions of Jesus but were also sent out to preach. This dual role highlights the importance of both fellowship with Christ and active ministry.

Preaching the Gospel
The primary mission of the apostles was to preach. This serves as a reminder of the centrality of the Gospel message in our lives and the call to share it with others.

Discipleship and Mentorship
Jesus' relationship with the apostles is a model for discipleship and mentorship. We are called to invest in others, teaching and guiding them in their spiritual journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to be chosen by Jesus, and how can we discern our own calling in His kingdom?

2. How does the role of the apostles in Mark 3:14 relate to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20?

3. In what ways can we balance being with Jesus and being sent out to preach in our daily lives?

4. How can we apply the model of discipleship seen in Jesus' relationship with the apostles to our own relationships within the church?

5. What are some practical ways we can support and encourage those who are called to preach and teach the Gospel today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 10:1-4
This passage lists the names of the twelve apostles and provides additional context to their calling and mission.

Acts 1:8
This verse highlights the empowerment of the apostles by the Holy Spirit, which is essential for their mission to preach and spread the Gospel.

Ephesians 4:11-13
This passage discusses the roles within the church, including apostles, and emphasizes the purpose of building up the body of Christ.
RetirementR. Green Mark 3:7-35
The Helpers of JesusA. Rowland Mark 3:13, 14
The Choosing of the ApostlesA.F. Muir Mark 3:13-19
The Choosing of the TwelveJ.J. Given Mark 3:13-19
The Need of MissionariesE. Johnson Mark 3:13-19
Christ and His DisciplesG. R. Leavitt.Mark 3:13-21
Christ's Choice of His HelpersC. S. Robinson, D. D.Mark 3:13-21
Christ's Workers VariedAnon.Mark 3:13-21
God Employs Little and Lowly ApostlesDr. Newton.Mark 3:13-21
Power to Cast Out DevilsSee, Wanderings in China, by C. F. Gordon Cumming.Mark 3:13-21
The Ministerial OfficeQuesnel.Mark 3:13-21
The TwelveW. F. Bishop.Mark 3:13-21
The TwelveJ. R. Thomson, M. A.Mark 3:13-21
This was the Third Stage in the Preparation of the Disciples for the ApostolateH. M. Luckock, D. D.Mark 3:13-21
People
Alphaeus, Andrew, Bartholomew, Beelzebub, Boanerges, Herodians, James, Jesus, John, Judas, Matthew, Peter, Philip, Simon, Thaddaeus, Thomas, Zabdi, Zebedee
Places
Capernaum, Galilee, Idumea, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Judea, Sea of Galilee, Sidon, Tyre
Topics
Apostles, Appointed, Designating, Forth, Message, Ordained, Preach, Preachers, Proclaim, Twelve
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 3:14

     1654   numbers, 11-99
     5408   messenger
     7725   evangelists, identity
     7789   shepherd, church leader

Mark 3:13-19

     6622   choice

Mark 3:14-15

     2351   Christ, miracles
     4135   demons, Christ's authority over
     4165   exorcism
     7708   apostles, function
     7745   ordination
     7755   preaching, importance
     7758   preachers, call

Mark 3:14-19

     6641   election, responsibilities
     7631   Twelve, calling of
     7944   ministry, qualifications

Library
And Judas Iscariot
AND JUDAS ISCARIOT TEXT: "And Judas Iscariot."--Mark 3:19. There is something about the name of this miserable man which commands our attention at once. There is a sort of fascination about his wickedness, and when we read his story it is difficult to give it up until we have come to its awful end. It is rather significant, it would seem to me, that his name should come last in the list of the Apostles, and the text, "And Judas Iscariot," would suggest to me not only that his name was last, but
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

'He is Beside Himself'
'And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself'--Mark iii. 21. There had been great excitement in the little town of Capernaum in consequence of Christ's teachings and miracles. It had been intensified by His infractions of the Rabbinical Sabbath law, and by His appointment of the twelve Apostles. The sacerdotal party in Capernaum apparently communicated with Jerusalem, with the result of bringing a deputation from the Sanhedrim to look into
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Relations
'Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.'--Mark iii. 35. There was a conspiracy to seize Jesus because He is 'mad,' and Mary was in the plot! I. The example for us. (1) Of how all natural and human ties and affections are to be subordinated to doing God's will. Obedience to Him is the first and main thing to which everything else bows, and which determines everything. If others compete or interfere, reject them. Out of that common obedience new ties
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Anger and Grief of Jesus
He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts.'--Mark iii. 5. Our Lord goes into the synagogue at Capernaum, where He had already wrought more than one miracle, and there He finds an object for His healing power, in a poor man with a withered hand; and also a little knot of His enemies. The scribes and Pharisees expect Christ to heal the man. So much had they learned of His tenderness and of His power. But their belief that He could work a miracle did not
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Mistakes of Christ's Foes and Friends
'And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils. 23. And He called them unto Him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24. And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27. No man can enter into a strong man's
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Kindred
'There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling Him. 32. And the multitude sat about Him; and they said unto Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee. 33. And He answered them, saying, Who is My mother, or My brethren? 34. And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren! 35. For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.'--Mark iii. 31-35.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ambassadors for Christ
'And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodlans against Him, how they might destroy Him. 7. But Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judaa 8. And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaa beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He did, came unto Him. 9. And He spake to His disciples, that a small ship should wait on Him because of the multitude,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Necessity of Divine Influences. [*Continued]
Luke xi. 13.--"If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." In expounding the doctrine of these words, in the preceding discourse, the argument for the necessity of Divine influences had reference to the more general aspects of man's character and condition. We were concerned with the origin of seriousness in view of a future life, and the production of a sense of moral corruption and
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

Jesus Angry with Hard Hearts
But I must not let imagination mislead me: they did nothing of the kind. Instead of this, they sat watching the Lord Jesus, not to be delighted by an act of his power, but to find somewhat of which they might accuse him. When all came to all, the utmost that they would be able to allege would be that he had healed a withered hand on the Sabbath. Overlooking the commendation due for the miracle of healing, they laid the emphasis upon its being done on the Sabbath; and held up their hands with horror
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Mutual Help.
(Female Friendly Society.) S. MARK iii. 35. "Whosoever shall do the Will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and My mother." There are just two points which I want to put before you to-day. First, what you as Christian women ought to be. Secondly, how you can help each other to be so. On the first point I would ask you to remember the glory and dignity of womanhood. You get this dignity from Jesus Christ, who was born of a woman, and who said, "Whosoever shall do the Will of God, the
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

The Eccentricity of Religion
"They said, He is beside Himself,"--MARK iii. 21. THE most pathetic life in the history of the world is the life of the Lord Jesus. Those who study it find out, every day, a fresh sorrow. Before He came it was already foretold that He would be acquainted with grief, but no imagination has ever conceived the darkness of the reality. It began with one of the bitterest kinds of sorrow--the sorrow of an enforced silence. For thirty years He saw, but dared not act. The wrongs He came to redress were there.
Henry Drummond—The Ideal Life

The Hardening Operation of Love.
"Being grieved for the hardness of their heart."--Mark iii. 5. Love may also be reversed. Failing to cherish, to uplift, and to enrich, it consumes and destroys. This is a mystery which man can not fathom. It belongs to the unsearchable depths of the divine Being, of which we do not wish to know more than has been revealed. But this does not alter the fact. No creature can exclude itself from the divine control. No man can say that he has nothing to do with God; that he or any other creature exists
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Life and Character of John
"Volat avis sine meta, Quo nec votes nec propheta Evolavit altius: Tam implenda quam impleta, Numquam vidit tot secreta Purus homo purius. (Adam of St. Victor.) The Mission of John. Peter, the Jewish apostle of authority, and Paul, the Gentile apostle of freedom, had done their work on earth before the destruction of Jerusalem--had done it for their age and for all ages to come; had done it, and by the influence of their writings are doing it still, in a manner that can never be superseded. Both
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Whether the Sin against the Holy Ghost is the Same as the Sin Committed through Certain Malice?
Objection 1: It would seem that the sin against the Holy Ghost is not the same as the sin committed through certain malice. Because the sin against the Holy Ghost is the sin of blasphemy, according to Mat. 12:32. But not every sin committed through certain malice is a sin of blasphemy: since many other kinds of sin may be committed through certain malice. Therefore the sin against the Holy Ghost is not the same as the sin committed through certain malice. Objection 2: Further, the sin committed through
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Great Schism
If a house be divided against itself.--Mark iii, 25. From such a revival as that of the Great Awakening, parties must of necessity arise. Upon undisciplined fanaticism, the Established church must frown. But when it undertook to discipline large numbers of church members or whole churches, recognizedly within its embracing fold and within their lawful privileges, a great schism resulted, and the schismatics were sufficiently tenacious of their rights to come out victorious in their long contest for
M. Louise Greene, Ph. D.—The Development of Religious Liberty in Connecticut

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
That house cannot stand.--Mark iii, 25. The times change and we change with them.--Proverb. The omission of all persecuting acts from the revision of the laws in 1750 was evidence that the worst features of the great schism were passing, that public opinion as a whole had grown averse to any great severity toward the Separatists as dissenters. But the continuance in the revised statutes of the Saybrook Platform as the legalized constitution of the "Presbyterian, Congregational or Consociated Church,"
M. Louise Greene, Ph. D.—The Development of Religious Liberty in Connecticut

The Apostle Judas
"And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed Him." MARK 3:19 (R.V.) THE evidential value of what has been written about the apostles will, to some minds, seem to be overborne by the difficulties which start up at the name of Judas. And yet the fact that Jesus chose him -- that awful fact which has offended many -- is in harmony with all that we see around us, with the prodigious powers bestowed upon Napoleon and Voltaire, bestowed in full knowledge of the dark results, yet given because the issues of
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Withered Hand
"And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had his hand withered. And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse Him. And He saith unto the man that had his hand withered, Stand forth. And He saith unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, He
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Characteristics of the Twelve
"And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach, and to have authority to cast out devils: and Simon He surnamed Peter; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them He surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder; and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeaus, and Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot which also betrayed Him." MARK 3:14-19 (R.V.) THE pictures
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Christ and Beelzebub
"And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the devils casteth He out the devils. And He called them unto Him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if an house be
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

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