Gospel Parallels: The Commissioning of the Twelve

Mark 6.6–13; 3.13–15 || Matt. 9.35; 10.1, 7–11, 14 || Luke 9.1–6

From Aland’s Synopsis of the Four Gospels, Parallel #142, compare with #99.

Mark

And he was amazed because of their unbelief. Then he went around among the villages and taught.

Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff —no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. If a place will not welcome you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and preached that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them. (Mark 6.6–13 NET)

Now Jesus went up the mountain and called for those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve so that they would be with him and he could send them to preach and to have authority to cast out demons. (Mark 3.13–15 NET)

Matthew

Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness.

Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness.

As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near!’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not take gold, silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for the journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals or staff, for the worker deserves his provisions. Whenever you enter a town or village, find out who is worthy there and stay with them until you leave. (Matthew 9.35; 10.1, 7–11 NET)

And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or that town. (Matthew 10.14 NET)

Luke

After Jesus called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and do not take an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area. Wherever they do not receive you, as you leave that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Then they departed and went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (Luke 9.1–6 NET)

John

No parallel passages.

The previous translation is from the NET Bible translation. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.