1 Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority to force evil spirits out of people and to cure every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first and foremost, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James (son of Alphaeus), and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus.
5 Jesus sent these twelve out with the following instructions: “Don’t go among people who are not Jewish or into any Samaritan city.
6 Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.
7 As you go, spread this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’