See the notes at Matthew 10:1-4.

He chose twelve - Εκλεξαμενος απ' αυτων, He chose twelve Out of them. Our Lord at this time had several disciples, persons who were converted to God under his ministry; and, out of these converts, he chose twelve, whom he appointed to the work of the ministry; and called them apostles, i.e. persons sent or commissioned by himself, to preach that Gospel to others by which they had themselves been saved. These were favored with extraordinary success:

1. Because they were brought to the knowledge of God themselves.

2. Because they received their commission from the great Head of the Church. And

3. Because, as he had sent them, he continued to accompany their preaching with the power of his Spirit.

These three things always unite in the character of a genuine apostle. See on Matthew 10:1-4 (note).

And when it was day,.... Or morning; having spent the whole night in prayer to God, no doubt for his disciples, whom he was about to send forth as his apostles, to preach his Gospel, and work miracles, and for their success therein:

he called unto him his disciples; the whole company of them, as in Luke 6:17 all that were his followers, and professed to believe in him, or as many as he pleased; see Mark 3:13.

And of them he chose twelve; and ordained them, and sent them out to preach, heal sicknesses, and cast out devils:

whom he also named apostles; or "messengers", from their being sent by him on such important business; and their names are as follow.

Chose (ἐκλεξάμενος)

Mark has ἐποίησεν he made or constituted.

He named apostles

Peculiar to Luke.

And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

6:13 He called unto him his disciples. After the night of prayer. Out of these twelve were chosen. For notes on the call of the Apostles see Mt 10:1-5. These are four lists of the twelve: that here: Mt 10:2-4 Mr 3:16-19 Ac 1:13. They differ slightly because some of the apostles had two different names: for example, Matthew is also called Levi, and Simon is called Peter.

6:13 Mt 10:2; Mr 3:14; Ac 1:13.

13-16. (See on [1583]Mt 10:2-4.)

6:12-19 We often think one half hour a great deal to spend in meditation and secret prayer, but Christ was whole nights engaged in these duties. In serving God, our great care should be not to lose time, but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another. The twelve apostles are here named; never were men so privileged, yet one of them had a devil, and proved a traitor. Those who have not faithful preaching near them, had better travel far than be without it. It is indeed worth while to go a great way to hear the word of Christ, and to go out of the way of other business for it. They came to be cured by him, and he healed them. There is a fulness of grace in Christ, and healing virtue in him, ready to go out from him, that is enough for all, enough for each. Men regard the diseases of the body as greater evils than those of their souls; but the Scripture teaches us differently.