How many *sons* of Alpheus were apostles?
Preaching Sunday on the call of Levi in Mark 2:13-17. Spent some time noting the apostle's naming as "Levi" in Mark 2:14 and in Luke 5:27, but as "Matthew" in Matthew 9:9 (but also in Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13).
Also looked at Mark 2:14's designation of Levi as "the *son* of Alpheus" and noting his possible fraternal connection to "James the *son* of Alpheus" (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13), known in church tradition as "James the Less." I suggested this would make at least three sets of natural brothers among the Twelve (Andrew and Simon, James and John, Levi/Matthew and James the Less).
In Matthew Poole's commentary on Matthew 9:9, it suggests that four sons of Alpheus were among the Twelve, saying of Matthew:
"His father Alpheus was honoured to have four of his sons apostles, James the less, and Thaddeus, (called Lebbeus), Simon the Canaanite, and Matthew."
JTR
No comments:
Post a Comment