Matthew 10:1

Jesus called his twelve disciples as workers in the harvest (Matthew 9:37–38). Choosing twelve was on purpose, reminding people of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was appointing new leaders for God's new people under his rule as the Messiah (16:18–19; 18:18; 19:28; 21:43).

Jesus gave them authority (9:6–8; 28:18): Jesus empowered the twelve apostles to perform tasks that Jewish leaders could not do (9:32–34; 10:5–8). Jesus shows his authority to cast out evil spirits (8:28) and to heal in similar ways (4:23; 8:1–9:35).