Devine Scripture

Luke 6:15

What does Luke 6:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 6:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 6:15 means

The list of apostles continues with Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was known as the Zealot. This diverse group included a former tax collector (Matthew), a man often associated with doubt (Thomas), and a Zealot, who likely held strong nationalist, anti-Roman sentiments. The deliberate selection of such varied backgrounds underscores Jesus' ability to unite disparate individuals for a common purpose, highlighting the inclusivity and transforming power of His call, moving them from varied earthly allegiances to devotion to Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Matthew and Thomas and James, the son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was named the Zealot,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Matthew and Thomas, James of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon who is called Zelotes,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

[and] Matthew and Thomas, James the [son] of Alphaeus and Simon who was called Zealot,

Context

Continuing the enumeration of the apostles, this verse further illustrates the diverse backgrounds of the men Jesus selected. It reinforces the idea that His call transcended social and political lines, bringing together individuals from very different walks of life. This diverse representation sets the stage for understanding the breadth of His Kingdom and the transformative nature of His leadership.

v.14Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew,

v.15This passage

v.16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 9:9

    And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

  • Luke 5:27

    And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him, Follow me.

  • Acts 1:13

    And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

  • Galatians 1:19

    But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

  • Mark 3:18

    and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Cananæan,

  • John 20:24

    But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

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