The Meaning of Mark 3:14 Explained

Mark 3:14

KJV: And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

YLT: and he appointed twelve, that they may be with him, and that he may send them forth to preach,

Darby: And he appointed twelve that they might be with him, and that he might send them to preach,

ASV: And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he ordained  twelve,  that  they should be  with  him,  and  that  he might send  them  forth  to preach, 

What does Mark 3:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 3:1-19 - The Lord Of The Sabbath
The ritualist demands the outward, the conventional, the ancient usage of the past. Christ says, "Be natural." The needs of man, whether of body or of soul, are greater than ceremonial restriction. Ceremonies are only expressions of life, and where life is wanting, they are meaningless and void.
The withered hand, Mark 3:1-6. Through long disuse of powers which God has given, but which we have refrained from exercising, degeneration may have set in; Christ, however, bids us exert them again. In so far as we dare to obey, we shall find ourselves able. Dare to speak, or pray, or work, not at the impulse of your nature, but at His bidding, and you will suddenly find yourself given power.
The Apostolate, Mark 2:7-19. On three occasions Christ used the boat as His pulpit, Mark 4:1; Luke 5:3. We must be disciples (learners), before we can be apostles (those sent). As the Father sent the Master, so the Master sends us. Our mission is threefold-to bear Him company, to perform His errands, and to cast out devils. What infinite variety in the apostolic band! The Boanergic group of four; the group of questioners who were sometimes doubters; and the group of practical men, whose business capacity was a snare at least to one. If there was a traitor even amid the Twelve, who can expect to find his fields free from tares? [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 3

1  Jesus heals the withered hand,
10  and many other infirmities;
11  rebukes the unclean spirit;
13  chooses his twelve apostles;
22  convinces the blasphemy of casting out demons by Beelzebub;
31  and shows who are his brother, sister, and mother

Greek Commentary for Mark 3:14

He appointed twelve [εποιησεν δωδεκα]
This was a second selection out of those invited to the hills and after the night of prayer and after day came (Luke 6:13). Why he chose twelve we are not told, probably because there were twelve tribes in Israel. It was a good round number at any rate. They were to be princes in the new Israel (cf. Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; Revelation 21:14, Revelation 21:15). Luke (Luke 6:13-16) also gives the list of the twelve at this point while Matthew (Matthew 10:1-4) postpones giving the names till they are sent out in Galilee. There is a fourth list in Acts 1:13. See discussion of the names of the apostles on Matthew 10:1-4 and pp. 271-3 of my Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ. The three groups of four begin alike (Simon, Philip, James). There are some difficulties. [source]
Whom he also named apostles [hous kai apostolous ōnomasen)]
Margin of Revised Version, the text of Westcott and Hort after Aleph, B, C, etc. Genuine in Luke 6:13 and probably so here. The meaning is that Jesus himself gave the name apostle or missionary It is applied also to Paul on a par with the twelve (Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:11., etc.) and also to Barnabas (Acts 14:14), and perhaps also to Timothy and Silas (1 Timothy 2:6.). Two purposes of Jesus are mentioned by Mark in the choice of these twelve, that they might be with him They were not ready to be sent forth till they had been with Jesus for some time. This is one of the chief tasks of Christ to train this group of men. See Bruce‘s The Training of the Twelve. The very word ινα ωσιν μετ αυτου — apostolos is from και ινα αποστελληι αυτους — apostellō There were two purposes in sending them forth expressed by two infinitives, one to preach This double ministry of preaching and healing was to mark their work. The two things are, however, different, and one does not necessarily involve the other. [source]
that they might be with him [ους και αποστολους ωνομασεν]
They were not ready to be sent forth till they had been with Jesus for some time. This is one of the chief tasks of Christ to train this group of men. See Bruce‘s The Training of the Twelve. The very word ινα ωσιν μετ αυτου — apostolos is from και ινα αποστελληι αυτους — apostellō There were two purposes in sending them forth expressed by two infinitives, one to preach This double ministry of preaching and healing was to mark their work. The two things are, however, different, and one does not necessarily involve the other. [source]
and that he might send them forth [αποστελλω]
They were not ready to be sent forth till they had been with Jesus for some time. This is one of the chief tasks of Christ to train this group of men. See Bruce‘s The Training of the Twelve. The very word ινα ωσιν μετ αυτου — apostolos is from και ινα αποστελληι αυτους — apostellō There were two purposes in sending them forth expressed by two infinitives, one to preach This double ministry of preaching and healing was to mark their work. The two things are, however, different, and one does not necessarily involve the other. [source]
Ordained [ἐποίησεν]
Lit., made. Rev., appointed. [source]
Might send them forth [ἀποστέλλῃ]
As apostles. Compare the kindred noun ἀπόστολοι , apostles. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 3:14

Matthew 10:1 The disciples [τούς μαθητὰς]
The or his, referring to them as already chosen, though he nowhere relates their choosing. See Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13. [source]
Matthew 10:1 His twelve disciples [τους δωδεκα ματητας αυτου]
First mention of the group of “learners” by Matthew and assumed as already in existence (note the article) as they were (Mark 3:14). They were chosen before the Sermon on the Mount was delivered, but Matthew did not mention it in connection with that sermon.Gave them authority (εδωκεν αυτοις εχουσιαν — edōken autois exousian). “Power” (Moffatt, Goodspeed). One may be surprised that here only the healing work is mentioned, though Luke (Luke 9:2) has it “to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” And Matthew says (Matthew 10:7), “And as ye go, preach.” Hence it is not fair to say that Matthew knows only the charge to heal the sick, important as that is. The physical distress was great, but the spiritual even greater. Power is more likely the idea of εχουσια — exousia here. This healing ministry attracted attention and did a vast deal of good. Today we have hospitals and skilled physicians and nurses, but we should not deny the power of God to bless all these agencies and to cure disease as he wills. Jesus is still the master of soul and body. But intelligent faith does not justify us in abstaining from the help of the physician who must not be confounded with the quack and the charlatan. [source]
Mark 3:13 Whom he would [οὓς ἤθελεν αὐτός]
Rev., more strictly, “whom he himself would;” not allowing any to offer themselves for special work. Out of the larger number thus called he selected twelve. See Mark 3:14. [source]
Luke 6:13 He chose from them twelve [εκλεχαμενος απ αυτων δωδεκα]
The same root It was a crisis in the work of Christ. Jesus assumed full responsibility even for the choice of Judas who was not forced upon Jesus by the rest of the Twelve. “You did not choose me, but I chose you,” (John 15:16) where Jesus uses εχελεχαστε — exelexasthe and εχελεχαμην — exelexamēn as here by Luke.Whom also he named apostles (ους και αποστολους ωνομασεν — hous kai apostolous ōnomasen). So then Jesus gave the twelve chosen disciples this appellation. Aleph and B have these same words in Mark 3:14 besides the support of a few of the best cursives, the Bohairic Coptic Version and the Greek margin of the Harclean Syriac. Westcott and Hort print them in their text in Mark 3:14, but it remains doubtful whether they were not brought into Mark from Luke 6:13 where they are undoubtedly genuine. See note on Matthew 10:2 where the connection with sending them out by twos in the third tour of Galilee. The word is derived from αποστελλω — apostellō to send (Latin, mitto) and apostle is missionary, one sent. Jesus applies the term to himself (απεστειλας — apesteilas John 17:3) as does Hebrews 3:1. The word is applied to others, like Barnabas, besides these twelve including the Apostle Paul who is on a par with them in rank and authority, and even to mere messengers of the churches (2 Corinthians 8:23). But these twelve apostles stand apart from all others in that they were all chosen at once by Jesus himself “that they might be with him” (Mark 3:14), to be trained by Jesus himself and to interpret him and his message to the world. In the nature of the case they could have no successors as they had to be personal witnesses to the life and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:22). The selection of Matthias to succeed Judas cannot be called a mistake, but it automatically ceased. For discussion of the names and groups in the list see notes on Matthew 10:1-4; and notes on Mark 3:14-19. [source]
Luke 6:13 Whom also he named apostles [ους και αποστολους ωνομασεν]
So then Jesus gave the twelve chosen disciples this appellation. Aleph and B have these same words in Mark 3:14 besides the support of a few of the best cursives, the Bohairic Coptic Version and the Greek margin of the Harclean Syriac. Westcott and Hort print them in their text in Mark 3:14, but it remains doubtful whether they were not brought into Mark from Luke 6:13 where they are undoubtedly genuine. See note on Matthew 10:2 where the connection with sending them out by twos in the third tour of Galilee. The word is derived from αποστελλω — apostellō to send (Latin, mitto) and apostle is missionary, one sent. Jesus applies the term to himself But these twelve apostles stand apart from all others in that they were all chosen at once by Jesus himself “that they might be with him” (Mark 3:14), to be trained by Jesus himself and to interpret him and his message to the world. In the nature of the case they could have no successors as they had to be personal witnesses to the life and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:22). The selection of Matthias to succeed Judas cannot be called a mistake, but it automatically ceased. For discussion of the names and groups in the list see notes on Matthew 10:1-4; and notes on Mark 3:14-19. [source]
John 15:27 And ye also bear witness [και υμεις δε μαρτυρειτε]
Present active indicative or imperative (do ye bear witness), same form of μαρτυρεω — martureō “Ye also” as well as the Holy Spirit, ye also when filled with and taught by the Holy Spirit the things concerning Jesus. It is here that Christians fail most. Have been Progressive present of ειμι — eimi “are with me from the beginning of my ministry” as in John 14:9. They were chosen to be with Christ (Mark 3:14). [source]
John 17:18 Sent I them [απεστειλα αυτους]
The very verb (αποστελλω — apostellō) used of the original commission of these men (Mark 3:14) and the special commission (Luke 9:2) and the renewal of the commission after the resurrection (John 20:21., both αποστελλω — apostellō and πεμπω — pempō here). [source]
2 Timothy 2:19 Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity []
The second inscription, concerning the purity of the church. For of Christ rend. of the Lord ( κυρίου ). Ὁνομάζων namethonly here in Pastorals. It means to give a name to, to style, as Mark 3:14; Luke 6:14; 1 Corinthians 5:11: to pronounce a name as having a special virtue, as in incantation, as Acts 19:13: to utter a name as acknowledging and appropriating what the name involves, as a confession of faith and allegiance. So here. Comp. Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Isaiah 26:13. For ὄνομα namesee on 2 Thessalonians 1:12. Ἁποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας departfrom iniquity. For the verb, see on 1 Timothy 4:1. Mostly in Luke and Acts. Comp. Numbers 16:26; Isaiah 52:11. Whatever may be implied in God's election, it does not relieve Christians of the duty of strict attention to their moral character and conduct. Comp. Philemon 2:12. The gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8) is exhibited in making one a coworker with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). The salvation bestowed by grace is to be “carried out” (Philemon 2:12) by man with the aid of grace (Romans 6:8-19; 2 Corinthians 6:1). What this includes and requires appears in Philemon 3:10; Philemon 4:1-7; Ephesians 4:13-16, Ephesians 4:22ff.; Colossians 2:6, Colossians 2:7. [source]
Hebrews 3:2 To him that appointed him [τῷ ποιήσαντι αὐτὸν]
Constituted him apostle and high priest. Some render created, referring to Christ's humanity or to his eternal generation. So the Old Latin, creatori suo; but this does not suit the context. Ποιεῖν often in Class. in the sense of institute, as sacrifices, funerals, assemblies, etc., and in the middle voice of adoption as a son. See 1 Samuel 12:6; Mark 3:14; Acts 2:36. [source]
Revelation 5:6 Sent forth [ἀπεσταλμένα]
See on Mark 3:14. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 3:14 mean?

And He appointed twelve ones also apostles He called [them] that they might be with Him He might send them to preach
καὶ ἐποίησεν δώδεκα [οὓς καὶ ἀποστόλους ὠνόμασεν] ἵνα ὦσιν μετ’ αὐτοῦ ἀποστέλλῃ αὐτοὺς κηρύσσειν

ἐποίησεν  He  appointed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
δώδεκα  twelve 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: δώδεκα  
Sense: twelve.
[οὓς  ones 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἀποστόλους  apostles 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπόστολος  
Sense: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.
ὠνόμασεν]  He  called  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὀνομάζω  
Sense: to name.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ὦσιν  they  might  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἀποστέλλῃ  He  might  send 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποστέλλω 
Sense: to order (one) to go to a place appointed.
κηρύσσειν  to  preach 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: κηρύσσω  
Sense: to be a herald, to officiate as a herald.