Matthew10
New International Version
1Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—
10no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
11Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.
12As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.
18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
22You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.
25It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.
30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
33But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
40“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
41Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostles called. (1–4). The apostles instructed and sent forth. (5–15). Directions to the apostles. (16–42).
vv1-4
The word “apostle” signifies messenger; they were Christ's messengers, sent forth to proclaim his kingdom. Christ gave them power to heal all manner of sickness. In the grace of the gospel there is a slave for every sore, a remedy for every malady. There is no spiritual disease, but there is power in Christ for the cure of it. There names are recorded, and it is their honour; yet they had more reason to rejoice that their names were written in heaven, while the high and mighty names of the great ones of the earth are buried in the dust.
vv5-15
The Gentiles must not have the gospel brought them, till the Jews have refused it. This restraint on the apostles was only in their first mission. Wherever they went they must proclaim, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. They preached, to establish the faith; the kingdom, to animate the hope; of heaven, to inspire the love of heavenly things, and the contempt of earthly; which is at hand, that men may prepare for it without delay. Christ gave power to work miracles for the confirming of their doctrine. This is not necessary now that the kingdom of God is come. It showed that the intent of the doctrine they preached, was to heal sick souls, and to raise those that were dead in sin. In proclaiming the gospel of free grace for the healing and saving of men's souls, we must above all avoid the appearance of the spirit of an hireling. They are directed what to do in strange towns and cities. The servant of Christ is the ambassador of peace to whatever place he is sent. His message is even to the vilest sinners, yet it behoves him to find out the best persons in every place. It becomes us to pray heartily for all, and to conduct ourselves courteously to all. They are directed how to act as to those that refused them. The whole counsel of God must be declared, and those who will not attend to the gracious message, must be shown that their state is dangerous. This should be seriously laid to heart by all that hear the gospel, lest their privileges only serve to increase their condemnation.
vv16-42
Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand measures. Christ foretold troubles, not only that the troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith. He tells them what they should suffer, and from whom. Thus Christ has dealt fairly and faithfully with us, in telling us the worst we can meet with in his service; and he would have us deal so with ourselves, in sitting down and counting the cost. Persecutors are worse than beasts, in that they prey upon those of their own kind. The strongest bonds of love and duty, have often been broken through from enmity against Christ. Sufferings from friends and relations are very grievous; nothing cuts more. It appears plainly, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution; and we must expect to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations. With these predictions of trouble, are counsels and comforts for a time of trial. The disciples of Christ are hated and persecuted as serpents, and their ruin is sought, and they need the serpent's wisdom. Be ye harmless as doves. Not only, do nobody any hurt, but bear nobody any ill-will. Prudent care there must be, but not an anxious, perplexing thought; let this care be cast upon God. The disciples of Christ must think more how to do well, than how to speak well. In case of great peril, the disciples of Christ may go out of the way of danger, though they must not go out of the way of duty. No sinful, unlawful means may be used to escape; for then it is not a door of God's opening. The fear of man brings a snare, a perplexing snare, that disturbs our peace; an entangling snare, by which we are drawn into sin; and, therefore, it must be striven and prayed against. Tribulation, distress, and persecution cannot take away God's love to them, or theirs to him. Fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. They must deliver their message publicly, for all are deeply concerned in the doctrine of the gospel. The whole counsel of God must be made known, Ac 20:27. Christ shows them why they should be of good cheer. Their sufferings witnessed against those who oppose his gospel. When God calls us to speak for him, we may depend on him to teach us what to say. A believing prospect of the end of our troubles, will be of great use to support us under them. They may be borne to the end, because the sufferers shall be borne up under them. The strength shall be according to the day. And it is great encouragement to those who are doing Christ's work, that it is a work which shall certainly be done. See how the care of Providence extends to all creatures, even to the sparrows. This should silence all the fears of God's people; Ye are of more value than many sparrows. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. This denotes the account God takes and keeps of his people. It is our duty, not only to believe in Christ, but to profess that faith, in suffering for him, when we are called to it, as well as in serving him. That denial of Christ only is here meant which is persisted in, and that confession only can have the blessed recompence here promised, which is the real and constant language of faith and love. Religion is worth every thing; all who believe the truth of it, will come up to the price, and make every thing else yield to it. Christ will lead us through sufferings, to glory with him. Those are best prepared for the life to come, that sit most loose to this present life. Though the kindness done to Christ's disciples be ever so small, yet if there be occasion for it, and ability to do no more, it shall be accepted. Christ does not say that they deserve a reward; for we cannot merit any thing from the hand of God; but they shall receive a reward from the free gift of God. Let us boldly confess Christ, and show love to him in all things.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσκαλέομαι (proskaléomai): to call toward oneself, i.e. summon, invite
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
δώδεκα (dṓdeka): two and ten, i.e. a dozen
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
δίδωμι (dídōmi): to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἐξουσία (exousía): privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence
ἀκάθαρτος (akáthartos): impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic))
πνεῦμα (pneûma): a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
ὥστε (hṓste): so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
Cross References
Matthew 10Parallel account of the commissioning and empowerment of the twelve apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel Gospel account recording the sending out of the twelve two by two.
Supported by JFB
Direct Old Testament background for Christ's words about family division and foes of one's household.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct parallel: receiving a cup of water in Christ's name because you belong to him.
Parallel list of the names of the twelve selected apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Luke's corresponding list of the choosing and naming of the twelve apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus declares He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal parallel where Jesus affirms the servant is not greater than his lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Identifies the specific charge where they called the master of the house Beelzebub.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel instruction on fearing God who can cast into hell, rather than men.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel discourse on bringing division/fire rather than peace on earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel demanding supreme love to Christ above father, mother, or one's own life.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Doing kindness to 'one of the least of these my brethren' is done unto Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Post-ascension list of the apostles gathered in the upper room.
Supported by JFB
Detailed parallel instruction that the laborer is worthy of his wages.
Supported by JFB
Identical commission directive sending disciples out as lambs among wolves.
Supported by JFB
Parallel teaching on God's sovereignty over the falling of cheap sparrows.
Supported by JFB
Warning of being denied by the Son of Man for being ashamed of Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Levitical precedent of prioritizing God's covenant over father, mother, and brothers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Subsequent instruction on taking up the cross to follow Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identical theological formula: receiving the sent disciple is receiving Christ and the Father.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Shunammite woman receives Elisha because he is a holy man of God and is rewarded.
The widow of Zarephath receives and feeds the prophet Elijah, receiving a miraculous prophet's reward.
Philip brings Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Jesus, explaining their listing together.
Supported by JFB
Paul confirms that the gospel must first be spoken to the Jews.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul quotes the principle that the laborer is worthy of his reward.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul and Barnabas literally execute the command to shake off dust.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel warning of judgment more tolerable for Sodom than unrepentant cities.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel instruction not to premeditate defense speech under persecution.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Historical demonstration of disciples fleeing persecution in Jerusalem to spread the gospel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel on that which is hidden being made manifest and revealed.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Idiomatic Old Testament expression signifying complete physical safety under divine protection.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical example of Peter's temporary denial and subsequent restoration.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God is not unrighteous to forget labor of love shown toward His name in ministering to saints.
God promises to be with Moses' mouth, teaching him what to say.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Onesiphorus refreshed Paul in prison, showing the reception of an apostle and seeking mercy as reward.