The role of the Twelve during the time of Jesus’ ministry was fourfold:

1. Disciples of their Master.  Like other Jewish disciples, they live with their master, attend to his interpretation of Scripture, and are expected to commit his teaching to memory.  Some, at least, would be expected to pass on the teaching of their rabbi.  It was unusual of Jesus to choose his disciples: usually, the disciples would choose their rabbi.

2. Extension of Jesus’ ministry.  They were not only learners; they were called to ‘follow’ Jesus (Mk 1:16–18, 19–20 and pars.; Mk 8:34 and pars.; Mt 9:9; Lk 14:27).  They were to proclaim the same message of the Kingdom, thus being an extension of his own preaching ministry.  When they were sent out, it was with the authority of Jesus himself.

3. Student Prophets.  Just as Jesus himself was regarded as a prophet (Mt 21:11; Mk 6:4, 15; Lk 24:19), so he authorised and empowered the Twelve to preach, heal, and exorcise in his name.

4. Restored Israel.  The apostles symbolise the restoration of the tribes of Israel, as indicated in prophecy.  Mt 19:28/Lk 22:29 links the Twelve with an end-time judging of Israel.  Moreover:

‘Israel’s prophets had looked forward to the day when the twelve tribes would be reconstituted by God’s merciful intervention, gathered from out of the nations to which they had been exiled, returned to the land, and purified (Isa 49:6; Ezek 37:15–28; Mic 2:12).’

Based on: Terence Paige, art. ‘Apostleship, Evangelism, Witness’ in Routledge Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus.