Mark 3:13

“And he goeth up into a mountain, etc..] Near Capernaum, being solitary, and a place of recess and retirement, “to pray”, as Luke says, (<420612>Luke 6:12), who adds, “and continued all night in prayer to God”, notwithstanding the great fatigue of the day past. His prayer, as is very probable, was chiefly concerning the great and important work, which was upon his mind, and he was about to do; the making and constituting twelve of his disciples, as his apostles, to preach in his name, and work miracles: and calleth unto him whom he would; that is, “when it was day”, as the above evangelist observes; when he called his disciples, such as had been for some time followers of him, as many of them…”

“For an account of the appointment of the apostles, see the notes at Matthew 10:1-4. And calleth unto him whom he would - Those whom he chose; whom he was about to appoint to the apostleship. See the notes at John 15:16. Mark 3:14 He ordained twelve - The word rendered “ordained” here does not express our notion of ordination to the ministry. It means, literally, “he made” - that is, 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 they could not be easily charged with being excited by sympathy, or being deluded, as a multitude might; and that, being destined to go…”

“He calleth whom he would - With regard to the eternal states of men, God always acts as just and merciful. But with regard to numberless other things, he seems to us to act as a mere sovereign. Luk 6:12 Mark 3:14”

“3:13-19 The scene now changes to a mountain, and Mark tells how Jesus called his disciples, which is reminiscent of God’s call of Old Testament prophets (Exod 3:14-22; 1 Sam 3:4-14; Jer 1:5-19).”

“Mat 10:1-4; Luk 6:12-16 Mark 3:14”