Mark 3:14
New International Version
He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach

New Living Translation
Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,

English Standard Version
And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

Berean Standard Bible
He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach,

Berean Literal Bible
And He appointed twelve ones, and He called them apostles, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them to preach,

King James Bible
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

New King James Version
Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,

New American Standard Bible
And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,

NASB 1995
And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,

NASB 1977
And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach,

Legacy Standard Bible
And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) to be with Him and to send them out to preach,

Amplified Bible
And He appointed twelve [disciples], so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach [the gospel as apostles—that is, as His special messengers, personally chosen representatives],

Christian Standard Bible
He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, to send them out to preach,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He also appointed 12—He also named them apostles—to be with Him, to send them out to preach,

American Standard Version
And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

Contemporary English Version
Then he chose twelve of them to be his apostles, so they could be with him. He also wanted to send them out to preach

English Revised Version
And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He appointed twelve whom he called apostles. They were to accompany him and to be sent out by him to spread [the Good News].

Good News Translation
and he chose twelve, whom he named apostles. "I have chosen you to be with me," he told them. "I will also send you out to preach,

International Standard Version
He appointed the Twelve, whom he called apostles, to accompany him, to be sent out to preach,

Majority Standard Bible
He appointed twelve of them to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach,

NET Bible
He appointed twelve (whom he named apostles), so that they would be with him and he could send them to preach

New Heart English Bible
And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach,

Webster's Bible Translation
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

Weymouth New Testament
He appointed twelve of them, that they might be with Him, and that He might also send them to proclaim His Message,

World English Bible
He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He appointed twelve, that they may be with Him, and that He may send them forth to preach,

Berean Literal Bible
And He appointed twelve ones, and He called them apostles, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them to preach,

Young's Literal Translation
and he appointed twelve, that they may be with him, and that he may send them forth to preach,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he made the twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to proclaim,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he made that twelve should be with him, and that he might send them to preach.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he acted so that the twelve would be with him, and so that he might send them out to preach.

New American Bible
He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach

New Revised Standard Version
And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he chose twelve to be with him, that he might send them to preach,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he chose twelve to be with him, and to send them to preach
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he appointed twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

Godbey New Testament
And He made twelve (apostles) that they may be with Him and that He may send them out to preach,

Haweis New Testament
And he appointed twelve to be with him, and to send them out to preach:

Mace New Testament
then he chose twelve of them to be near his person, and afterwards to be gospel-missionaries.

Weymouth New Testament
He appointed twelve of them, that they might be with Him, and that He might also send them to proclaim His Message,

Worrell New Testament
And He appointed twelve [whom He also named apostles], that they might be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,

Worsley New Testament
and He appointed twelve to be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach the gospel,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Twelve Apostles
13Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. 14 He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, 15and to have authority to drive out demons.…

Cross References
Matthew 10:1-4
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness. / These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; / Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ...

Luke 6:12-16
In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. / When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles: / Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; ...

Acts 1:13-14
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. / With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

John 20:21
Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

Romans 10:15
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Exodus 3:10
Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

he ordained.

John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Acts 1:24,25
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, …

Galatians 1:1,15-20
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) …

and.

Luke 9:1-6
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases…

Luke 10:1-11
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come…

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

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Apostles Appointed Forth Message Ordained Preach Preachers Proclaim Twelve
Mark 3
1. Jesus heals the withered hand,
10. and many other infirmities;
11. rebukes the unclean spirit;
13. chooses his twelve apostles;
22. convinces the blasphemy of casting out demons by Beelzebub;
31. and shows who are his brother, sister, and mother.














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.

Verses 14, 15. - Out of those who thus came to him, he ordained twelve literally, he made or appointed twelve. They were not solemnly ordained or consecrated to their office until after his resurrection. Their actual consecration (of all of them at least but one, namely, Judas Iscariot) took place when he breathed on them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22). But from this time they were his apostles "designate." They were henceforth to Be with him as his attendants and disciples. They were to go forth and preach under his direction, and by his power they were to cast out devils. Several manuscripts add here that they were "to heal sicknesses," but the words are emitted in some of the oldest authorities. The authority over unclean spirits is more formally conveyed later on (see Mark 6:7), so that here St. Mark speaks by anticipation. But this shows how much importance was attached to this part of their mission; for it recognizes the spiritual world, and the special purpose of the manifestation of the Son of God, namely, that he might "destroy the works of the devil." He appointed twelve. The number twelve symbolizes perfection and universality. The number three indicates what is Divine; and the number four, created things. Three multiplied by four gives twelve, the number of those who were to go forth as apostles into the four quarters of the world - called to the faith of the holy Trinity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He appointed
ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

twelve
δώδεκα (dōdeka)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1427: Twelve; the usual way in which the Twelve apostles of Jesus are referred to. From duo and deka; two and ten, i.e. A dozen.

[of them]
οὓς (hous)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

[whom]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He designated as
ὠνόμασεν (ōnomasen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3687: From onoma; to name, i.e. Assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess.

apostles,
ἀποστόλους (apostolous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

accompany
ὦσιν (ōsin)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

Him,
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

be sent out
ἀποστέλλῃ (apostellē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.

to preach,
κηρύσσειν (kēryssein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2784: To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.


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