all the lists, and is expressly said to be “first” of the Twelve, [38:5] because, as we have reason to believe, whilst his advanced age might have warranted him to claim precedence, his superior energy and promptitude enabled him to occupy the most prominent position.  The same individual was called Cephas, or Peter, or Stone, [38:6] apparently on account of the firmness of his character.  His namesake, the other Simon, was termed the Canaanite, and also Zelotes, [38:7] or the zealot—­a title expressive, in all likelihood, of the zeal and earnestness with which he was wont to carry out his principles.  We are informed that our Lord sent forth the Twelve “by two and two,” [38:8] but we cannot tell whether He observed any general rule in the arrangement of those who were to travel in company.  The relationship of the parties to each other might, at least in three instances, have suggested a classification; as Peter and Andrew, James and John, James the Less and Jude, were, respectively, brothers.  James the Less is described as “the Lord’s brother,” [39:1] and Jude is called “the brother of James,” [39:2] so that these two disciples must have been in some way related to our Saviour; but the exact degree of affinity or consanguinity cannot now, perhaps, be positively ascertained. [39:3] Some of the disciples, such as Andrew, [39:4] and probably John, [39:5] had previously been disciples of the Baptist, but their separation from their former master and adherence to Jesus did not lead to any estrangement between our Lord and His pious forerunner.  As the Baptist contemplated the more permanent and important character of the Messiah’s mission, he could cheerfully say—­“He must increase, but I must decrease.” [39:6]

All the Twelve, when enlisted as disciples of Christ, appear to have moved in the humbler walks of life; and yet we are scarcely warranted in asserting that they were extremely indigent.  Peter, the fisherman, pretty plainly indicates that, in regard to worldly circumstances, he had been, to some extent, a loser by obeying the call of Jesus. [39:7] Though James and John were likewise fishermen, the family had at least one little vessel of their own, and they could afford to pay “hired servants” to assist them in their business. [40:1] Matthew acted, in a subordinate capacity, as a collector of imperial tribute; but though the Jews cordially hated a functionary who brought so painfully to their recollection their condition as a conquered people, it is pretty clear that the publican was engaged in a lucrative employment.  Zacchaeus, said to have been a “chief among the publicans,” [40:2] is represented as a rich man; [40:3] and Matthew, though probably in an inferior station, was able to give an entertainment in his own house to a numerous company. [40:4] Still, however, the Twelve, as a body, were qualified, neither by their education nor their habits, for acting as popular instructors; and had the gospel been a device of human