Matthew 10:40

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He that receiveth {G1209} you {G5209} receiveth {G1209} me {G1691}, and {G2532} he that receiveth {G1209} me {G1691} receiveth {G1209} him that sent {G649} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Whoever receives you is receiving me, and whoever receives me is receiving the One who sent me.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 10:40 serves as a profound statement from Jesus to His disciples, establishing a direct chain of identification and authority: whoever welcomes them, welcomes Him, and whoever welcomes Him, welcomes God the Father who sent Him. This verse underscores the divine backing and spiritual significance inherent in the mission of Christ's representatives, emphasizing that the reception or rejection of the messenger directly reflects one's posture towards God Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' extensive instructions and commissioning of the twelve apostles for their initial missionary journey, as detailed in [Matthew 10](/matthew/10 "Matthew 10 - Jesus Commissions the Twelve Apostles"). The preceding verses outline the challenges and persecutions the disciples would face, including rejection from some towns ([Matthew 10:14](/matthew/10-14 "Matthew 10:14 - Shaking Off the Dust")). Amidst these warnings, Jesus provides profound encouragement regarding those who *would* receive them. Verse 40 specifically introduces the principle of divine identification, which is then elaborated upon in the subsequent verses regarding the reward for receiving a prophet or a righteous person ([Matthew 10:41](/matthew/10-41 "Matthew 10:41 - Reward for Receiving a Prophet")) and even for offering a simple act of kindness to "one of these little ones" ([Matthew 10:42](/matthew/10-42 "Matthew 10:42 - Reward for a Cup of Cold Water")). Thus, [Matthew 10:40-42](/matthew/10-40-42 "Matthew 10:40-42 - The Principle of Reception and Reward") forms a cohesive unit on the spiritual implications of hospitality and reception toward God's messengers.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of an agent or emissary (Hebrew: *shaliach*) was well-established. A *shaliach* was considered to be "as the sender himself," carrying the full authority and representation of the one who sent him. This principle meant that to honor or dishonor the *shaliach* was to honor or dishonor the sender. Jesus leverages this familiar cultural understanding to explain the profound spiritual reality of His disciples' mission. They were not merely independent preachers but divinely appointed agents of the Kingdom of God. Their message and authority were not their own but derived directly from Jesus, who, in turn, derived His authority from the Father. This cultural backdrop helps the audience grasp the gravity of receiving or rejecting Jesus' disciples.

* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several key themes within [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew "The Gospel According to Matthew") and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Representation and Authority**, where Jesus clearly articulates that His disciples act as His direct representatives, and He, in turn, represents the Father. This establishes an unbreakable chain of divine authority from God the Father, through the Son, to His commissioned messengers. Another crucial theme is **Spiritual Identification**, highlighting that one's response to God's genuine representatives is tantamount to one's response to God Himself. This principle elevates the importance of hospitality and discernment. Finally, while not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of [Matthew 10](/matthew/10 "Matthew 10 - Jesus Commissions the Twelve Apostles") introduces the theme of **Reward for Righteous Reception**, where those who welcome God's messengers are promised a spiritual recompense, contrasting with the judgment pronounced upon those who reject them ([Matthew 10:15](/matthew/10-15 "Matthew 10:15 - Judgment for Unrepentant Cities")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **receiveth (Greek, _déchomai'_):** This word, G1209, signifies more than just a physical acceptance or allowing someone into one's home. It implies a welcoming, an embracing, and an acceptance of the person's message, authority, and identity. It suggests a receptive heart and mind, acknowledging the legitimacy and divine origin of the one being received. This deeper meaning underscores the spiritual significance of the act described by Jesus, indicating a posture of genuine affirmation and belief.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This word, G649, means "to set apart" or "to send out, properly, on a mission." It emphasizes the deliberate and authoritative nature of the sending. The one who is "sent" (an apostle, *apostolos*) is not merely dispatched but is commissioned with a specific purpose and carries the full authority of the sender. In this context, it highlights that Jesus' authority is derived from God the Father, and the disciples' authority is derived from Jesus, making their mission a divinely ordained enterprise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that receiveth you receiveth me":** This clause establishes the immediate link between the disciples and Jesus. To welcome Jesus' messengers is to welcome Jesus Himself. This is a powerful affirmation of the disciples' divine commission and the spiritual weight of their ministry. It means that the way people respond to the disciples' message and person is interpreted by Jesus as a direct response to Him.
* **"and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.":** This second clause extends the chain of identification further, connecting Jesus to God the Father. It reveals the profound unity between the Son and the Father. To welcome Jesus is to welcome God Himself. This statement underscores Jesus' divine nature and His unique relationship as the Father's ultimate representative. The entire mission, from the Father through the Son to the disciples, is presented as a unified, divine initiative.

#### Literary Devices
The structure of Matthew 10:40 exhibits a clear **Chiasm**, a rhetorical device where parallel concepts are presented in an A-B-B'-A' pattern. Here, "receiveth you" (A) corresponds to "receiveth me" (B), which then reverses to "receiveth me" (B') corresponding to "receiveth him that sent me" (A'). This chiastic structure serves to emphasize the central point of identification and the unbreakable chain of authority from the Father, through the Son, to the disciples. Furthermore, the verse employs **Metonymy**, where "receiving" the person stands in for receiving their message, authority, and the divine reality they represent. The act of hospitality or acceptance is a proxy for spiritual alignment. The overarching concept conveyed is one of **Divine Identification**, where the identity and authority of the messenger are inextricably linked to the sender, culminating in the ultimate identification of Christ with the Father.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 10:40 is a foundational statement for understanding the nature of divine authority and representation in the New Testament. It articulates the profound truth that God works through His chosen human agents, and one's response to these agents is a direct reflection of one's response to God Himself. This principle underscores the seriousness of the gospel message and the sacred nature of ministry. It teaches us that true hospitality and acceptance of those genuinely sent by God are not merely acts of human kindness but acts of worship and obedience directed towards the Divine Sender. This theological truth provides both comfort and challenge: comfort for those who faithfully proclaim Christ, knowing they carry His authority; and challenge for all, to discern and rightly receive God's messengers and His message.

* [Luke 10:16](/luke/10-16 "Luke 10:16 - He Who Hears You Hears Me")
* [John 13:20](/john/13-20 "John 13:20 - Receiving the Sent One")
* [1 Thessalonians 2:13](/1_thessalonians/2-13 "1 Thessalonians 2:13 - Receiving God's Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 10:40 holds enduring relevance for believers today, shaping our understanding of both receiving and performing ministry. For those who hear the gospel or encounter faithful ministers, this verse is a sober reminder that our posture towards God's genuine representatives is a reflection of our posture towards God Himself. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of discernment, hospitality, and humility, recognizing that to welcome a true servant of Christ is to welcome Christ, and by extension, the Father. This encourages us to support, pray for, and listen to those who faithfully proclaim God's Word. For those called into ministry, this verse is a powerful source of encouragement and a weighty reminder of the sacred trust placed upon them. It affirms that their authority is not self-derived but flows directly from Christ and the Father, empowering them to speak with confidence. Yet, it also demands utmost faithfulness and humility, ensuring that their lives and messages consistently represent the One who sent them, guarding against personal ambition or distortion of the divine message. Ultimately, this verse challenges all of us to consider the seriousness of our response to the Good News of Jesus Christ, recognizing that in accepting or rejecting His message, we are accepting or rejecting God Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my attitude towards those who faithfully preach the gospel reflect my attitude towards Jesus Christ?**
* **In what ways can I better practice hospitality and support for God's messengers in my community or beyond?**
* **If I am in a position of ministry, how does the truth that I represent Christ and the Father shape my approach to my calling and my conduct?**
* **Considering the profound identification in this verse, what does my reception of the gospel message itself reveal about my relationship with God?**

### FAQ

**What does "receiveth" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "receiveth" (G1209, *déchomai*) means more than just physically allowing someone into your home. It implies a deeper, more profound acceptance that includes welcoming, embracing, and acknowledging the person's authority, message, and identity. In [Matthew 10:40](/matthew/10-40 "Matthew 10:40 - Receiving Jesus' Messengers"), it signifies a spiritual reception – an acceptance of the divine commission and the truth carried by the messenger, which then extends to an acceptance of Jesus and the Father. It's about a receptive heart and mind that recognizes the divine source of the message and the messenger.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of the Trinity?**

Answer: [Matthew 10:40](/matthew/10-40 "Matthew 10:40 - The Chain of Divine Reception") implicitly highlights the unity within the Godhead, foreshadowing later explicit Trinitarian teachings. By stating that receiving Jesus is receiving "him that sent me" (God the Father), Jesus underscores His unique and inseparable relationship with the Father. It demonstrates a divine chain of command and authority, where the Father sends the Son, and the Son sends His disciples. This verse showcases the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (implied in the disciples' empowerment) working in perfect unity to accomplish God's redemptive plan, emphasizing their shared will and purpose, even if not explicitly defining the Persons of the Trinity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 10:40, while spoken to the disciples, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ Himself. Jesus is the supreme "sent one" (*apostolos*) from the Father, the perfect embodiment of the principle He articulates. He is the one whom the Father "sent into the world" ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son")) not to condemn but to save. Therefore, the reception or rejection of Jesus is the ultimate test of one's posture towards God. As Jesus declares elsewhere, "He who rejects me rejects him who sent me" ([Luke 10:16](/luke/10-16 "Luke 10:16 - Rejecting Jesus is Rejecting the Father")). Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), and to "see" Him is to "see the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). His entire life, ministry, death, and resurrection are the Father's message to humanity. Thus, to truly "receive" Jesus—to embrace Him in faith, acknowledge His authority, and accept His saving work—is to receive God the Father in the most profound and redemptive sense, leading to eternal life ([John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God and Jesus")). The disciples' mission, then, is a continuation of Christ's own mission, inviting humanity to receive the One who perfectly represents the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 13:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Luke 9:48

And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Luke 10:16

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

Matthew 18:5

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

John 20:21

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

2 John 1:9

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.