Matthew 10:13

Matthew 10:13 is part of Jesus' specific instructions to His twelve apostles as He sent them out on their first missionary journey. This verse focuses on the response to their greeting of peace when entering a household.

Context

In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus commissions His disciples, granting them authority to heal and cast out demons. He then provides detailed guidance for their mission, emphasizing their dependence on God and how they should conduct themselves. This verse follows the instruction in Matthew 10:12 to "salute the house" with peace. The disciples were to offer a blessing of peace upon entering, and verse 13 clarifies the outcome based on the household's receptivity.

Key Themes

• Divine Discernment and Receptivity: The verse highlights the importance of discerning whether a household or individual is open to the Gospel message. "Worthy" (Greek: axios) implies suitability or deservingness, not based on moral perfection, but on their willingness to receive the messengers and their message.
• The Nature of Biblical Peace: The concept of "peace" here (Greek: eirēnē, echoing the Hebrew shalom) is much more profound than just an absence of conflict. It signifies wholeness, well-being, prosperity, harmony, and spiritual blessing. When the house is "worthy," this comprehensive peace, representing God's blessing, is permitted to rest upon it.
• The Consequence of Rejection: If the house is "not worthy"—meaning they reject the message or the messengers—the peace offered by the disciples does not take root. Instead, it "returns" to the sender. This illustrates a spiritual principle: divine blessings are not forced upon unwilling recipients. The peace of God, and the benefits of the Kingdom, are for those who embrace them. This foreshadows the judgment for those who reject the apostles' message.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "peace" is eirēnē (εἰρήνη), which often translates the Hebrew shalom (שָׁלוֹם). In this context, it embodies spiritual well-being, harmony with God, and the holistic blessing of His presence. It's not merely a polite greeting but a spiritual impartation. The term "worthy" (axios, ἄξιος) signifies a correspondence or alignment—the house's disposition aligns with the message being offered.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 10:13 teaches us several lessons about sharing the Gospel:

• Offer Peace Willingly: We are called to be bearers of Christ's peace and truth to all, extending grace and the offer of salvation.
• Discern Receptivity: While we offer the message broadly, we must also discern where the Spirit is working and where people are open. We are not to waste our spiritual energy on those who are resolutely closed or hostile.
• Understand Spiritual Consequences: The peace of God, and the blessings of His Kingdom, are not forced. When rejected, the responsibility for that rejection lies with the recipient, and the blessing returns to the one who offered it, leaving the rejecting party without it. This reminds us of the serious implications of rejecting the peace that Jesus gives.