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 calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Instructions for the Limited Mission

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts.

Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.

Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on.

As you enter the home, greet its occupants.

If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it; but if it is not, let your peace return to you.

And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Warnings of Persecution

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.

On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say.

For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Fear God, Not Man

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

It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven.

But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

The Demands of Loyalty

Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Rewards for Receiving the Messengers

He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never 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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