But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
But {G1161} go {G4198} rather {G3123} to {G4314} the lost {G622} sheep {G4263} of the house {G3624} of Israel {G2474}.
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Isra'el.
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away [on] the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. -
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. -
1 Peter 2:25
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. -
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. -
Ezekiel 34:6
My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek [after them]. -
Psalms 119:176
¶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. -
Acts 3:26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Matthew 10:6 is a pivotal instruction given by Jesus to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on their first limited missionary journey. This verse defines the initial scope of their mission, emphasizing a specific focus before the broader commission to all nations.
Context
This verse follows directly from Jesus' detailed instructions to His apostles in Matthew chapter 10. In Matthew 10:5, Jesus explicitly tells them not to go into the way of the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans. Matthew 10:6 then provides the positive command, directing them "rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This highlights the priority of Jesus' earthly ministry and His initial outreach to the Jewish people, fulfilling prophecy and addressing God's covenant nation first.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "lost sheep" comes from the Greek probaton apololos, which literally means "sheep that have perished" or "sheep that are destroyed." This term emphasizes not just wandering, but a state of being in danger or without hope unless found. It underscores the spiritual peril of those disconnected from God's truth and highlights the urgency of the disciples' mission to bring them back to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Practical Application
Matthew 10:6 reminds us of several important truths: