Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Ver. 3. Bartholomew] This, say some, was that Nathanael, Joh 1:45-49 He is by Dionysius quoted to have said of divinity, Et magnam esse et minimam (και πολλην, και ελαχιστην), that it was large in a little room. Ambrose Chircher the Jesuit tells of a tradition they have in China, that one Olo Puen (or Bartholomew) was brought thither from Judea in the clouds, and preached Christianity among them; whereof he left twenty-seven tomes behind him. Sed fides sit penes authorem. But let faith belong to authority.
Matthew the publican] See here, as in a mirror, Christ's free grace in such a choice, and Matthew's true grace in not dissembling his old trade, but shaming himself, that God might be glorified; and thankfully crying out, with Iphicrates, εξ οιων εις οια, from how sinful and shameful to how high and honourable a calling and course of life am I advanced!