Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 10:4

4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Mark reckoneth up the same Persons, ch. 3.16.17, 18, 19. with some Additions, which we shall consider as we come at the Persons whom they concern. Apostles signifies Pe[illegible: 1 letter]sons sent, the Term applyed to Christs Disciples signifies the Persons that were fir[illegible: 1 letter]t sent by him to Preach the Gospel. It was reasonable for the Evangelists to set down their Names, because the whole Christian-Church was to be builded upon their Doctrine, Eph. 2.20. The first, Simon who is called Peter, Math. 16.18. because the Term signifies a Rock, and the Confession of Faith which he made, our Saviour declares to be a Rock on which he would build his Church. He is not here called the first, because he was first called, or first believed, the contrary is plain from Iohn 1.41. but when many are named, one must be first Named. He was the Son of Ionas; Christ gave him the Name of Cephas, which is by Interpretation, a Stone. He was called Simon Peter to distinguish him from Simon the Canaanite, afterward mentioned. So that it seems the Papists are put hard to it for Arguments to prove Peter's Primacy, and Superiority over the Apostles, and Head-ship over the Church, when they are in [illegible: 1 letter]orced to make use of this, because he is here called the first, Yet such another was brought at the Disputation of Berne, 1528. when Alexius Grad the Nuns Confessor, would prove Peters Headship, because he is called Cephas; and he had read in some Dictionary, that [non-Latin text not transcribed] anciently signifyed an Head. As if the Evangelist had not interpreted it, Ioh. 1.41. Peter, or a Stone. By the same Argument they can from hence prove Peter the first, Gal. 1.19. will prove him the second, for so he is there reckoned. Iames, Cephas and Iohn. [Andrew his Brother] Simon Peters Brother, by Iohn directed to Christ, Ioh. 1.40. called by Christ together with his Brother Peter, Mar. 1.16. Iames the Son of Zebedee so called, to distinguish him from another of the Apostles of the same Name, who was the Son of Alpheus. This is he of whose Death we read, Acts 12.2. he was slain by Herod, and Iohn his Brother, viz. the Son of Alpheus; this is he who was called the Beloved Disciple, who also wro te the Gospel of Iohn, Iohn 1.20. [Philip and Bartholomew and Thomas.] Philip was of Bethsaida, the City of Andrew and Peter, Iohn 1.44. found and called by Christ, v. 43. of the Call of Bartholomew we do not read, some think him the same with Nathaniel mentioned, Iohn 1.45, 46. &c. It is some inducement to believe it, that he is here Named with Philip, who was the instrument to bring him to Christ, Ioh. 1.45. but there is nothing of this certain. Thomas, the same who was called Didymus, who was so unbelieving as to Christ's Resurrection, Iohn, 20.24.27. and Matthew the Publicane, he that wrote this History of the Gospel, we heard before of his Call from the receit of Custom, he was also called Levi. Iames the Son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus. This Iames is call'd Iames the lesser, Mark 15.40. and so distinguished from Iames the Son of Zebedee. The Brother of our Lord, Gal. 1.19. (that is as some think his Kinsman) judging him not the Son of Alpheus, who was the Father of Matthew, but another Alpheus the Husband of Mary the Wife of Cleopas, Ioh. 19.25. But this appeareth not from Scripture. In stead of Lebbeus, whose Surname was Thaddeus, Luke saith, Ch. 6.16. Iudas the Brother of Iames (he that wrote the Epistle of Iude, as appeareth by Iude.) Mark Ch. 3.17. mentions not Lebbeus at all, which makes some think that the Words are Transposed, and should be Thaddeus the Son of Lebbeus; for Thaddai in the Syriack is the same with Iudas. Simon the Canaanite, Luke calls him Simon Zelotes, Luke 6.15. & Acts 1.13; we must not understand by Canaanite a Pagan (for Christ sent out none but Iews) but one of Cana, which by Interpretation is Zelus, from whence it is that Luke calleth him Zelotes. [And Iudas Iscariot who also betrayed him.] There are many guesses, how Iudas had the Name of Iscariot; whether from Kerioth, supposed to be his Town, or on some other account, the guesses of the best are but incertainties, nor is it material for us to know. It here distinguisheth him from the other Iudas. Of his betraying his Master, we shall hear afterward. Christ altered the Names of Simon, whom he called Peter, Mark 3.16. He added to the Names of Iames and Iohn, calling them Beanerges, that is, the Sons of Thunder, v. 17. Thaddeus is called Iudas, and by Matthew also Lebbeus. These were the 12 first Apostles, to which were added (after Christ's Ascension) Matthias (in stead of Iudas Iscariot) Paul and Barnabas, but these conversed with Christ, and were the first sent out by him. We shall now hear the Instruction he gives them.