Luke 9:1

τοὺς δώδεκα. ABD, &c. The Rec[185] adds μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ, but St Luke, St Mark, and St John used οἱ δώδεκα absolutely.

[185] Rec. The Textus Receptus.

1. συνκαλεσάμενος δὲ τοὺς δώδεκα. The word συνκαλ. ‘calling them together,’ not merely προσκαλ. ‘calling them up to Him,’ indicates the special solemnity of the occasion. This was at the close of the missionary journeys alluded to in Matthew 9:35; Mark 6:6. St Matthew gives a touching reason for the mission of the Twelve. They were sent because Jesus pitied the multitude, who were like harassed and panting sheep without a shepherd, and like a harvest left unreaped for want of labourers (Matthew 9:36-38). The Apostles thus became, as their name implied, ‘emissaries’ (sheloochîm), and this was an important step in their training.

δύναμιν καὶ ἐξουσίαν. Power (δύναμις) is the capacity, and authority (ἐξουσία), the right to act. See Luke 10:19; Revelation 13:7.

ἐπὶ πάντα τὰ δαιμόνια ‘Over all the demons.’