And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach
In these verses, we have, I. The choice Christ made of the twelve apostles to be his constant followers and attendants, and to be sent abroad as there was occasion, to preach the gospel. Observe, 1. The introduction to this call or promotion of disciples; He goes up into a mountain, and his errand thither was to pray.
Commenting on Mark 3:13-21
And he ordained twelve,.... Or made, constituted, and appointed twelve men, out of those he called to him. The Arabic version adds, "and called them apostles"; which seems to be taken out of Luk 6:13. That they should be with him; constantly, in private and in public; be taken into his family, and reckoned such; be his familiars, and privy to all his affairs; hear...
Verse 14. He ordained twelve. The word rendered ordained, here, does not express our notion of ordination to the ministry. It means, literally, "he made," or he appointed twelve to be with him. Twelve. The reason why twelve were chosen was, probably, that such a number would be deemed competent witnesses of what they saw; that so many could not be supposed to be imposed...