Matthew 10:1

προσκαλεσάμενος : this does not refer to the call to become disciples, but to a call to men already disciples to enter on a special mission. τοὺς δώδεκα, the Twelve. The article implies that a body of intimate disciples, twelve in number, already existed. The evangelist probably had Mark 3:14 in view. He may also reflect in his language the feeling of the apostolic age to which the Twelve were familiar and famous. Hitherto we have made the acquaintance of five of the number (Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 9:9). Their calls are specially reported to illustrate how the body of twelve grew. ἐξουσίαν, authority, not to preach, as we might have expected, but to heal. The prominence given to healing in this mission may surprise and disappoint, and even tempt to entertain the suspicion that the exalted ideas concerning the Twelve of after years have been read into the narrative. This element is certainly least prominent in Mark. Yet to some extent it must have had a place in the mission. The people in Galilee had all heard of Jesus and His work, and it was no use sending the Twelve unless they could carry with them something of His power. πνευμάτων α., genitive objective, as in John 17:3; Romans 9:21. ὥστε ἐκ … καὶ θεραπεύειν, dependent also on ἐξουσίαν (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:5), ὥστε with infinitive indicating tendency of the power, πᾶσαν νόσον, etc., echo of Matthew 4:23.