Out of the many who wanted to follow Jesus, twelve were chosen by him as the representatives of the new People of God, the new Israel. The number was intentional for there had been twelve tribes in ancient Israel. The tasks for which Jesus was preparing the disciples are defined in 3:14-15. Simon was given the new name of Peter (3:16). Behind the account of the choosing of the twelve disciples there is much influence from the Jewish Scriptures. Mark's readers knew that the old Covenant made by God with the ancient people of Israel had been superseded by the new Covenant sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ and bringing the new people of God into a new relationship with him. This was remembered in every celebration of the Lord's Supper in the early Church. The calling of the men who became the great apostles of the early Church and their experiences when they were still 'learners' with Jesus, would have been of great interest to the first readers of Mark's gospel, and is still of great interest to Christians today.