Why were the Apostles sent out two by two?

Answer 1

"Then Jesus went out from village to village, teaching. And He called His twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two, with authority to cast out evil spirits." (Mark 6:6-7 NLT New Living Translation)

These may be regarded as "training sessions" for the commission that they would be commanded to do after Jesus ascended into heaven. These were the beginning "baby steps" Jesus' disciples took in learning to Trust Him.

Matthew Henry says:

"Though the apostles were conscious to themselves of great weakness. and expected no worldly advantage, yet, in obedience to their Master, and in dependence upon His Strength, they went out. They did not amuse people with curious matters, but told them they must repent of their sins, and turn to God..." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Mark 6:7-13; The apostles sent forth).

Plus, there is the matter of "witnessing" to the Truth of God.

"I also tell you this: 'If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are Mine, I AM there among them." (Matt.18:19-20 NLT)

There is comfort in the companionship of others... especially through the unifying Spirit of Christ. The disciples were sent out among potential "unbelievers"... but regardless of this, even among "believers":

"...everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses." (verse 16).

These were "shared experiences" WITNESSED by Christ's disciples... who were learning to Trust and Obey their Master. And they were also "growing together" in character, learning to trust each other as brothers in Christ.

Jesus also sent out SEVENTY-two disciples at another time to train. The twelve He sent out two by two on other occasions must have returned in the same manner as the seventy-two... with similar impressions of what they experienced which were subsequently assessed by Christ:

"When the seventy-two disciples returned, they JOYFULLY REPORTED TO HIM, 'LORD, even the demons obey us when we use your name!' 'Yes,' He told them, 'I saw Satan falling from heaven as a flash of lightning! And I have even given you authority over all the power of the enemy... But don't rejoice just because evil spirits obey you, rejoice because YOUR NAMES ARE REGISTERED AS CITIZENS OF HEAVEN.'" (Luke 10:17-20 NLT)