St. Matthias the Apostle: The Substitute for the Traitor Discipletranslated

Our Lord called twelve men to form the group of apostles, who were to continue His redemptive work. The number twelve is not random, but has deep symbolism.

Lampros Skontzos, Theologian

To the Jews, time had twelve months and the day and night twelve hours (John 11:9), symbolizing the fullness of time. Jacob - Israel, had twelve children (Gen. 35,22 - 27). Israel consisted of twelve tribes (Gen. 49,28). But Christ also called twelve men as His disciples (Matthew 10:1). In fact, he predicted to them that twelve thrones will be set up in His kingdom, that His twelve disciples will sit to judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19, 28, Luke 22, 30, Revelation 5, 10).

The old Israel consisted of the twelve tribes, the corresponding twelve sons of Jacob, who had received from God the promise of Israel (Gen.28.10). But the mission of old Israel ended, with the completion of Christ's saving work on earth. On the horrible Golgotha, the new and eternal covenant between God and man was concluded with the Blood of Christ, putting an end to the old covenant, which had been concluded at Sinai (Heb. 8,6). The place of old Israel has now been taken...