Mark 3:13 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, we see, first, Christ’s choice of the twelve apostles to be his close followers and helpers, and then his sending them out to preach the gospel when needed. Notice the setting of this call. He went up on a mountain, and he went there to pray. Ministers should be set apart with solemn prayer, asking God to pour out the Holy Spirit on them. Even though Christ had the right to give the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he still prayed, setting an example for us.

The rule Christ followed in choosing them was his own good pleasure. He called to him those he wanted. He did not choose the ones we would have picked by outward appearance, like face or height. He chose the ones he thought fit, and he made them fit for the work he called them to do. In this we can say, blessed Jesus, because it pleased you to do so. Christ calls whom he will, because he is free, and his grace belongs to him.

The call was effective. He called them to leave the crowd, stand with him, and they came to him. Christ calls those who were given to him (John 17:6), and all that the Father gave him will come to him (John 6:37). Those he wanted to call, he also made willing to come. His people will be willing in the day of his power. Perhaps they came at first because they hoped to reign with him in worldly honor and power. But when they later learned the truth, they still saw such better things in him that they never said they had been deceived or regretted leaving all to be with him.

The purpose of the call was that he might appoint them, probably by the laying on of hands, a Jewish custom used in setting people apart. They were to stay with him all the time, so they could be witnesses of his teaching, his way of life, and his patience. In that way they would know him well and be able to tell others about him. They were especially to confirm the truth of his miracles. They had to be with him to learn from him, so they would be ready to teach others. It would take time to prepare them for what he planned to do through them. They must be sent out to preach, but not until they were sent, and not until long, close fellowship with Christ had fitted them for the task. Christ’s ministers must spend much time with him.

He also gave them power to work miracles, which honored them greatly, more than the great people of the world. He appointed them to heal sicknesses and cast out demons. This showed that Christ’s power to do these miracles was original power. He did not have it as a servant, but as a Son in his own house, because he could give it to others and invest them with it. The law says that one who is only appointed cannot appoint another. But our Lord Jesus had life in himself and the Spirit without measure, so he could give this power even to the weak and foolish things of the world.

Their number and names are given too. He appointed twelve, matching the twelve tribes of Israel. They are not listed here in exactly the same order as in Matthew, or in pairs as there, but Peter is first and Judas last in both places. Here Matthew is placed before Thomas, likely because he was called in that order. Yet in the list Matthew wrote himself, he puts himself after Thomas, showing no concern for rank in his calling. Mark alone notes that Christ called James and John Boanerges, meaning "sons of thunder." Perhaps they had loud, forceful voices and preached powerfully. More likely, it points to the zeal and fire of their spirits, which made them active for God beyond their brothers. These two, Dr. Hammond says, were to be especially important ministers of the gospel, which is like a voice shaking the earth (Hebrews 12:26). Yet John, one of these sons of thunder, was also full of love and tenderness, as his letters show, and he was the beloved disciple.

They then went into a house and stayed close to their Master. Now that this group had been gathered, they stood together to hear his teaching. They went into the house to arrange the order of their small company. It is likely that the money bag was then given to Judas, which pleased him and put him at ease.

Second, we see the constant crowds that followed Christ wherever he went. The people gathered again without being asked, pressing around him at the wrong time, some for one reason and some for another. So he and his disciples could not even find time to eat bread, much less sit down for a proper meal. Yet he did not close his door to those who came asking. He welcomed them and gave each one a peaceful answer. Those whose hearts are enlarged in God’s work can bear great inconvenience for the sake of it. They would rather miss a meal than lose a chance to do good. It is a blessing when eager hearers and eager preachers meet like this and encourage one another. The kingdom of God was being preached, and people were pressing into it (Luke 16:16). This was a valuable moment, and the disciples could well delay their meals to seize it. It is wise to strike while the iron is hot.

Third, we see the concern of his relatives for him. When his friends in Capernaum heard how widely he was being followed and how hard he worked, they went out to seize him and bring him home, because they said, "He is beside himself." Some take this as an unkind and disrespectful judgment. Then we must read it as it stands, "He is beside himself." Either they suspected this themselves, or someone suggested it to them and they believed it. They thought he had lost his mind, and that his friends should restrain him and shut him away until he recovered. Many of his relatives had low thoughts of him (John 7:5), and they were willing to accept this bad explanation of his great zeal. They thought him insane and tried to stop his work under that excuse. The prophets were once called madmen (2 Kings 9:11).

Others take it as a kind and well-meant concern. Then they read it as, "He is fainting, he has no time to eat bread." In that case, they feared his strength would fail. They thought the crowd would exhaust him, that constant speaking would drain him, and that the power going out from him in his miracles would wear him down. So they wanted to use a friendly kind of force to make him rest for a while. In his preaching work, as well as in his suffering work, he was urged, "Master, spare yourself."

Those who keep moving forward with energy and zeal in God’s work must expect opposition. It may come from the unfounded dislike of enemies, and it may also come from the misplaced concern of friends. They need to stay alert against both.