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.

Jesus Commissions the Twelve Apostles

1
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. ​
2
Now the names of the twelve emissaries are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; Jacob the son of Zebedee; Yochanan, his brother; ​
3
Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; Jacob the son of Halfai; Labbai, who was also called Taddai; ​
4
Simon the Canaanite; and Judah Iscariot, who also betrayed him. ​

Instructions for the Limited Mission

5
Yeshua sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. ​
6
Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ​
7
As you go, proclaim, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ ​
8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. ​
9
Don’t take any gold, nor silver, nor brass in your money belts.
10
Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. ​
11
Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on.
12
As you enter into the household, greet it.
13
If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.
14
Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. ​
15
Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. ​

Warnings of Persecution

16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. ​
17
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
18
Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. ​
19
But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
20
For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. ​
21
“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22
You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. ​
23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come. ​

Fear God, Not Man

24
“A disciple is not above his rabbi, nor a servant above his lord.
25
It is enough for the disciple that he be like his rabbi, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! ​
26
Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. ​
27
What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
28
Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehinnom. ​
29
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will, ​
30
but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31
Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
32
Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. ​
33
But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

The Demands of Loyalty

34
“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. ​
35
For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36
A man’s foes will be those of his own household.
37
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. ​
38
He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. ​
39
He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. ​

Rewards for Receiving the Messengers

40
He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. ​
41
He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
42
Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way 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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