En bref
Jesus specifically chose twelve apostles to represent the twelve tribes, as the new Israel, the new people of God. The number twelve is also the product of the divine number (three) multiplied by the number representing the world (four).
The number of apostles called by Jesus stands in direct relation to the number of the tribes of Israel (see Matthew 19:28). The disciples represent the new Israel, the new people of God. The twelve apostles were Jesus’ first disciples. Before they could become missionaries, however, they first had to be students.1
The number of the apostles, twelve, not only represents the twelve tribes of Israel, but is also the product of the divine number (three) multiplied by the number representing the world (four).2
1 Puis, ayant appelé ses douze disciples, il leur donna le pouvoir de chasser les esprits impurs, et de guérir toute maladie et toute infirmité.