Matthew10

Jesus commissions his twelve disciples, granting them authority over unclean spirits and diseases, and sends them specifically to the lost sheep of Israel. He instructs them to preach the kingdom, travel lightly, and prepare for severe persecution, emphasizing that enduring to the end and fearing God, not man, is paramount. The chapter concludes with warnings of familial division due to allegiance to Christ and promises of rewards for those who receive His messengers.

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Jesus Commissions the Twelve Apostles

And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James thesonof Zebedee, and John his brother;

Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus;

Simon the Cananæan, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Instructions for the Limited Mission

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans:

but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.

Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;

no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.

And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth.

And as ye enter into the house, salute it.

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Warnings of Persecution

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you;

yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak.

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.

And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Fear God, Not Man

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household!

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.

And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:

but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

The Demands of Loyalty

Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law:

and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Rewards for Receiving the Messengers

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Study Notes for Matthew 10

Verse 1

Jesus grants the Twelve specific authority (power) over spiritual and physical ailments. This power confirms their mission and validates their message that the Kingdom of God has arrived.

Verse 2

The term 'apostles' (Greek: *apostoloi*) means 'sent ones' or 'messengers,' emphasizing their official role as Jesus' authorized representatives.

Verse 3

Matthew is specifically identified as 'the publican' (tax collector), highlighting the diverse and often marginalized backgrounds of those Jesus called to ministry.

Verse 4

Judas Iscariot is explicitly named as the one who betrayed Jesus, providing a somber foreshadowing of the persecution and internal strife that would mark the mission.

Verse 5

This initial mission is geographically limited to Jewish territory, reflecting the priority of the covenant people (Rom 1:16) before the universal Gentile mission begins after the Resurrection.

Verse 6

The disciples are sent to the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel,' echoing prophetic language (Ezek 34) and confirming Jesus' role as the true shepherd.

Verse 7

The message is identical to that of Jesus and John the Baptist (Matt 3:2; 4:17): the Kingdom of Heaven is imminent and active in their ministry.

Verse 8

The mandate to 'raise the dead' indicates the magnitude of the delegated power. The command 'freely ye have received, freely give' emphasizes that ministry must be characterized by generosity, not profit.

Verse 10

The instruction to travel light demonstrates radical dependence on God’s providence and the hospitality of the community. The proverb justifies this: the missionary is worthy of financial support.

Verse 14

Shaking off the dust was a symbolic Jewish action, signifying a complete break and transference of responsibility, marking the city as having rejected God's offer.

Verse 15

This severe judgment means that rejecting the Kingdom message delivered by Jesus' authorized messengers brings a condemnation even greater than that incurred by the famously wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Verse 16

The contrast between vulnerable 'sheep' and hostile 'wolves' introduces the reality of persecution. Disciples must combine wisdom and caution ('serpents') with moral integrity ('doves').

Verse 18

Persecution is reframed as an opportunity: being brought before authorities provides a platform for 'a testimony' (witness) to Jesus' message before rulers and Gentiles.

Verse 20

This verse promises divine inspiration during trials, assuring the disciples that their defense will be the direct word of the Holy Spirit, speaking through them.

Verse 22

Endurance (*hypomonē*) is a key theme; salvation is promised to those who remain faithful to Christ through the period of tribulation and suffering.

Verse 23

The phrase 'till the Son of man be come' likely refers to Jesus’ resurrection, subsequent vindication, and the establishment of the church's authority (Pentecost), emphasizing the urgency of the mission.

Verse 25

If Jesus, the Master, was called Beelzebub (a derogatory term for the prince of demons), the disciples should expect the same slander and opposition.

Verse 26

This assurance means that though the truth may be hidden now, it will ultimately be revealed; therefore, the disciples should not fear proclaiming the message openly.

Verse 28

This is the central command to prioritize the fear of God (who has eternal power over soul and body) over the fear of men (who can only inflict physical harm).

Verse 29

The imagery of the sparrows, which are nearly worthless, illustrates God’s detailed providence and care, assuring the disciples that nothing happens outside the Father’s knowledge.

Verse 32

This is a pivotal statement on salvation: eternal recognition by Christ is contingent upon public confession and loyalty to him during life on earth.

Verse 34

The 'sword' signifies the divisive nature of the Gospel. While the Kingdom brings peace with God, it inevitably creates conflict and separation within human relationships because it demands absolute allegiance.

Verse 37

Discipleship requires placing Christ above all earthly loyalties, including the most fundamental bonds of family, demanding radical obedience.

Verse 38

'Taking his cross' means embracing the path of self-denial and suffering, being ready for public shame and execution, which was the Roman method of capital punishment.

Verse 39

This paradox affirms that true spiritual life is found only through sacrificial service and willingness to abandon earthly security for the sake of Christ.

Verse 40

This establishes the principle of identification: those who receive Christ’s messengers are considered to have received Christ himself, and ultimately, the Father who sent him.

Verse 42

Jesus assures that even the smallest act of genuine hospitality or kindness given to a disciple ('one of these little ones') will certainly be rewarded by God.

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Matthew10

Jesus Commissions the Twelve Apostles

Instructions for the Limited Mission

Warnings of Persecution

Fear God, Not Man

The Demands of Loyalty

Rewards for Receiving the Messengers

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