John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these , etc.] This is the first time these disciples are called apostles, they were learners before; now being instructed, they are sent forth to preach publicly, and therefore are called apostles, or messengers, persons that were sent: so the elders of the priesthood are called yd tyb yjwl , the apostles, or messengers of the sanhedrim f595 , to whom the high priest were delivered, before the day of atonement. So six months in the year, yjwl , apostles, or messengers, were sent by the sanhedrim, throughout all the land of Israel, and to the captive Jews in other parts, to give notice of the new moon; in allusion to which, the disciples might be so called. It was proper to give the names of them, for the truth of the history, and confirmation of it; for the sake of the persons themselves, and the honour done them; and for the exclusion and detection of false apostles. The first, Simon, who is called Peter ; his pure Hebrew name was w[m , Simeon, as he is called, ( Acts 15:14) but in the then Jerusalem dialect, and in Rabbinical language, this name is frequently read and pronounced wmys , Simon, as here: we often read of R. Simon, and of R. Juda bar Simon, in both Talmuds f597 . This apostle is also called Peter, to distinguish him from Simon the Canaanite, and which signifies a stone, or rock, in allusion to the object of his faith, and the steadiness of it. He is said to be the first; not that he was the head of the rest of the apostles, or had any primacy, dominion, and authority over them; but because he was first called, and was the first that was to open the door of faith to the Gentiles: but chiefly he is said to be so for orders sake; for, some one in the account must be named first, and he as proper as any: and Andrew his brother ; who was called at the same time with him, and therefore are put together. This name is also to be met with in the Talmudic writings; see Gill Matthew 4:18 . James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother ; these two were called next and together, and therefore are placed in this order: the former is so called, to distinguish him from another James, the son of Alphaeus, after mentioned; and the latter is the beloved disciple; these were surnamed Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - The word "apostle" signifies messenger; they were Christ's messengers sent forth to proclaim his kingdom. Christ gave them power to heal all manner of sickness. In the grace of the gospel there is a slave
for every sore, a remedy for every malady. There is no 
