ACC ~ Luke 10 v1 - 2

THE SEVENTY-TWO DISCIPLES SIGNIFY THE FUTURE PRESBYTERATE

BEDE: The number of the twelve apostles marked the beginning of the episcopal rank. It is also apparent that the seventy-two disciples, who were also sent out by the Lord to preach the word, signify in their selection the lesser rank of the priesthood that is now called the presbyterate. For the same reason, it is appropriate that these seventy-two figured in the last part of the priestly clothing, as those twelve had been in the first. It was fitting that the type of those who would occupy a higher rank in the body of the High Priest (that is, in the church of Christ) should have a higher place in the typical clothing of the Old Testament high priest. ON THE TABERNACLE 3. [1]

[1] TTH 18:128-29*.

BARNABAS, SOSTHENES, MATTHIAS AND THADDAEUS PART OF THE SEVENTY

EUSEBIUS: The names of the apostles of the Savior are clear to everyone from the Gospels, [1] but no list of the seventy disciples is in circulation anywhere. Some have said, to be sure, that Barnabas was one of them, and the Acts of the Apostles [2] and Paul writing to the Galatians [3] have made special mention of him. They say Sosthenes was of these as well. [4] Together with Paul, he wrote to the Corinthians. Tradition also holds that Matthias, who was listed among the apostles in place of Judas, [5] and Joseph Justus, [6] who was honored with him at the same casting of lots, were considered worthy of the same calling among the seventy. They say that Thaddaeus was also one of them, about whom I shall presently relate a story which has come down to us. On observation, you would find that the disciples of the Savior appear to have been more than the seventy. Paul says that after the resurrection from the dead Cephas saw him first, then the Twelve. [7] After these saw him, he was seen by more than five hundred brothers all at once, some of whom he says had fallen asleep, although the majority were still alive at the time that this account was being composed by him. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 1.12.1-3. [8]

[1] Mt 10:2-4; Mk 3:14-19.

[2] Acts 4:36; 13:1.

[3] Gal 2:1, 9.

[4] 1 Cor 1:1; Acts 18:17.

[5] Acts 1:23-26.

[6] Joseph Barsabas, surnamed Justus, who also had been with Christ from the beginning and so may well have been one of the seventy.

[7] 1 Cor 15:5-7.

[8] FC 19:75-76*.