As so often, Matthew arranges his material in themes. He brings together the appointment of the twelve and their being sent out, but Mark and Luke tell us that the two events happened at different times, and that the appointment took place earlier. Between the time of their appointment and their being sent out there is going to be a period of training when they will accompany the Lord and see how he teaches the people. As Alexander Bruce says, the crowds had by now grown to such a size that it was impossible for all of them to follow the Lord wherever he went, but these twelve were chosen to do exactly that and to be with him all the time. They entered into an apprenticeship in which they carefully studied his person and ways. This would involve them listening attentively to his words and memorising them, for their memories were to be activated by the Spirit in reproducing his teaching, and in some cases in recording them in New Testament writing. It would also involve them passing through deep and fearful experiences at times, in which they saw his supernatural power over the elements, and other times in which they shared with him the persecution of the scribes and Pharisees, being those who were associated with him. They were men wo, apart from Judas, possessed personal faith and they observed and reflected on his person and his character, and it made the deepest of impressions on them. They would be sent out occasionally during his time on earth, but after the ascension they would take the gospel into all the earth. They heard what Christ said to the masses, but they also benefited from what he said to them in private. All this was part of their training and a preparation for their future work.