Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

12On one of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray. He spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called for his disciples to come to him. He chose 12 of them and made them apostles.

14Simon was one of them. Jesus gave him the name Peter. There were also Simon’s brother Andrew, James, John, Philip and Bartholomew. 15And there were Matthew, Thomas, and James, son of Alphaeus. There were also Simon who was called the Zealot 16and Judas, son of James. Judas Iscariot was one of them too. He was the one who would later hand Jesus over to his enemies.

Jesus Gives Blessings and Warnings

17Jesus went down the mountain with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there. A large number of other people were there too. They came from all over Judea, including Jerusalem. They also came from the coast of Tyre and Sidon.

18They had all come to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses. People who were troubled by evil spirits were made well. 19Everyone tried to touch Jesus. Power was coming from him and healing them all.