A large section of this chapter discusses Jesus' sending of the twelve disciples to share his message about the kingdom of heaven. They were to limit their ministry to Israel and not share this news with the Gentiles. Jesus' instructions gives the reader the impression that they were not to waste any time. There is a sense of urgency in his tone.
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Simon (Peter), Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.
Simon (Peter), Andrew, James the son of Zebedee and John the son of Zebedee (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder), Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon (who was called the Zealot), Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot.
This phrase has great theological significance. Scholars often debate whether the "kingdom of heaven" was present at that time or was still to come. English translations frequently use the phrase "is at hand," but this can create difficulty in translating. Other translations use "is coming near" or "has come near."
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