Matthew 10
The twelve apostles
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Jesus gives his twelve disciples authority to drive out unclean spirits and to heal every disease. Matthew lists their names in pairs, from Simon Peter to Judas Iscariot, 'who also betrayed him'.
What does this mean?
'Apostle' means 'one who is sent'. 'Simon the Canaanite' (KJV) does not mean he came from Canaan; it renders an Aramaic word for 'zealous', which the WEB translates 'the Zealot'. 'Iscariot' may mean 'man from Kerioth', a town in Judea, but its meaning is uncertain.
Historical context
Twelve recalls the twelve tribes of Israel and suggests the renewal of the whole people (compare 19:28). 'Zealot' could describe religious zeal or, a few decades later, membership of a revolutionary party opposed to Rome; which is meant here is debated.
Why does it matter?
The lists in Mark, Luke and Acts largely agree but differ in places: Matthew and Mark name Thaddaeus, while Luke and Acts have 'Judas son of James' (KJV 'the brother of James'). Only Matthew calls Peter 'first' and Matthew 'the tax collector'.
Editorial notes, not scripture.