An Apologetical Explanation of the

Twelve Tribes and the Twelve Apostles

Why is it significant that Christ chose Twelve Apostles?

[Jesus] called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles. (Lk 6:13)

“You are those who have continued with me in my trials; as my Father appointed a kingdom for me, so do I appoint for you that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  (Lk 22:28-30)

Jesus chose Twelve Apostles because they represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel, thus showing a link between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

In the Old Testament the number twelve is symbolic of perfection and completion, particularly in matters of governance.  Hence, the twelve sons of Jacob gave rise to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, who combined to form a kingdom in the Promised Land, which had its political center in Jerusalem.  In the New Testament when Christ was beginning his earthly ministry, he chose twelve of his disciples to be his inner circle, his Apostles, whom he endowed with special powers and responsibilities to govern his Church.  They represented the Twelve Tribes of Israel of the Old Covenant and form the basis of the New Covenant.  Ultimately, in Heaven the Twelve Apostles will judge the Twelve Tribes of Israel (cf. Lk 22:30).  (Cf. CCC 551)

The number of Apostles reflects the continuity of the Old and New Law and the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in the New Covenant established by Christ.  It also looks ahead to the everlasting Kingdom of Heaven, where the faithful will be gathered under God’s holy reign.  In the Book of Revelation, the “twelve apostles of the Lamb” have their names inscribed on the twelve foundations of the city, underscoring the Apostles’ foundational role in the building of God’s kingdom through their apostolic ministry.  (Cf. CCC 865)

The number twelve appears in other parts of Scripture, each of which symbolizes a perfection of governance.  In the Old Testament there were twelve patriarchs from Shem (the son of Noah) to Jacob, whom God renamed Israel.  The sons and tribes of Israel, though there were thirteen, are in every instance recorded as a list of twelve names, usually but not always excluding Levi.  There were twelve people anointed to serve governmental functions, including Aaron, Saul, David, and Solomon.  In the New Testament the Book of Revelation presents twelve foundations of the heavenly Jerusalem, twelve gates, twelve pearls, and twelve angels, all of which symbolize the perfection of Heaven.

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraph 765.

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