Matthew 10:2
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
The verse opens the roll of the twelve by naming first Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. Before they are so listed they had traveled with Jesus, learned from His teaching and example, and helped Him minister to the people, and He then sent them out as His representatives so they could gain experience working on their own, though they still needed instruction. In the surrounding commission they are given authority over unclean spirits and sickness in Jesus' name and are sent to preach the kingdom, heal the sick, cast out devils, and give freely. Their work is pictured as reaping a harvest, gathering people to eternal life, and continuing labor begun by others.
The chapter in which they are named is full of instruction for those doing God's work amid opposition. Their calling illustrates the abundant work provided for Christ's workers, who act in faith and rely on Jesus as the Healer. Their calling is a model for appointing workers to carry forward neglected gospel work. The sending shows that gospel ministry of preaching the word and healing work are to be carried forward together, not separated, with preaching joined to authority to heal the sick and cast out devils in Jesus' name.
The verse belongs to a list that places Judas among the twelve whom Jesus chose, numbered with those sent, and included among the disciples who went on evangelistic tours; he was chosen even though he was not perfect. He was trusted with evangelistic work, witnessed Christ's ministry, healing, and work, and labored with the apostles as they were instructed to serve unselfishly, and he was given power like the other apostles to heal the sick, cure diseases, and cast out demons. Christ had a purpose in numbering Judas with those sent, though that purpose is not specified, and it is suggested Judas handled the expenses and carried the money bag, while his specific role is not recorded.
Judas received this calling and power without fully surrendering himself to Christ. He sought superiority and authority over his fellow workers and ultimately betrayed Jesus. Being named among the twelve and being chosen as a disciple with power to heal did not make him converted or a Christian, which shows that false or unworthy people could belong to the church even during Jesus' ministry; having a name registered on church books never makes anyone a Christian, and only doing the Word makes men and women sons and daughters of God. Because Judas failed to be converted and changed day by day and to become a sanctified and polished instrument for the Master's use, he became subject to temptation and allowed his old hereditary and natural tendencies to be used by Satan to dishonor Christ, to work against Christ, and to imperil his own soul.
Those who have knowledge of the truth without being sanctified by it repeat his case, working out wrong characters, doing more harm because of their knowledge, departing from the faith, confederating with apostates, and betraying sacred trusts, while God calls for the whole-sided, undivided interests of the men He has chosen.