James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, who was called Thaddaeus,
In this passage, the names of Jesus’ twelve disciples continue to be presented. James the son of Zebedee and his brother John are considered among Jesus’ closest disciples. Philip and Bartholomew also had an important role within the group of disciples, as did Thomas, who in some cases is popularly known as “Thomas the doubter,” because later—after Jesus’ resurrection—before seeing Jesus, he questioned the reality of the resurrection (see John 20:24–29). Matthew was a tax collector who was transformed after meeting Jesus and became a devoted follower (and the author of this Gospel). James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus, likewise played an important role in Jesus’ mission. All twelve disciples together bore the responsibility of spreading Jesus’ teaching and continuing His work.