Skip to content
Logo Devotion Header

Matthew 10 Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

1 Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These 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;

3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;

10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

11 “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.

12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.

13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.

14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

15 I tell you the truth, 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.

17 “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.

18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

19 But 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,

20 for 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.

22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.

28 Do 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.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him 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.

35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.

41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.

42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

Previous Chapter Matthew 9 Next Chapter Matthew 11

Analysis of Matthew Chapter 10

Matthew Chapter 10 is a pivotal moment in the Gospel where Jesus commissions His twelve apostles. This chapter provides a rich tapestry of teachings, warnings, and instructions for those who are to carry forth the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is both practical and spiritual, offering timeless principles for Christian discipleship and mission. Below, we delve into a verse-by-verse analysis, elucidating the deeper meanings and implications of this profound chapter.

Verses 1-4: The Calling and Naming of the Twelve Apostles

In the opening verses, Jesus calls His twelve disciples and gives them authority over unclean spirits and the power to heal every disease and affliction. The naming of the apostles is significant:

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.”

The act of naming is an affirmation of their unique roles and identities within their mission. Notably, the power given to them signifies a transfer of divine authority, highlighting that their mission is not of human origin but divinely mandated.

  • Simon (Peter): Often seen as the leader amongst the apostles.
  • Andrew: Peter’s brother, known for bringing people to Jesus.
  • James and John: Sons of Zebedee, called the “Sons of Thunder.”
  • Philip: Known for his willingness to spread the gospel immediately.
  • Bartholomew (Nathanael): Praised for his honesty and lack of deceit.
  • Thomas: Often remembered for his doubts, yet also his profound confession of faith.
  • Matthew (Levi): The tax collector, writer of this Gospel, illustrating God’s grace in calling sinners.
  • James (Son of Alphaeus): Sometimes confused with James the Less.
  • Thaddaeus (Lebbaeus, Judas son of James): Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot.
  • Simon the Zealot: Highlighting a diverse background among the apostles.
  • Judas Iscariot: The one who would betray Jesus, representing the mixed outcomes of discipleship.

Verses 5-15: Instructions for the Mission

In these verses, Jesus provides specific instructions for the apostles. They are to focus their ministry initially on “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” emphasizing the prioritization of God’s covenant people:

“Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The mandate to declare “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” aligns with Jesus’ own message and underscores the urgency of their mission. They are to rely on God’s providence for their needs rather than material preparations:

“Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.”

This instruction fosters a dependence on divine provision and the hospitality of those who receive their message. By staying in homes receptive to their teaching, they build a relational ministry based on shared faith and support.

Furthermore, Jesus warns of potential rejection and persecution:

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”

Shaking off the dust signifies a solemn act of declaring judgment, understood within the cultural context as a disassociation from those who reject God’s message.

Verses 16-23: Persecution and Endurance

Jesus employs vivid metaphors to prepare His disciples for the realities of their mission:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

The juxtaposition of wisdom and innocence calls the apostles to be prudent and sagacious without compromising their moral integrity. Jesus warns of specific dangers:

“But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”

The apostles are to expect both religious and civil opposition, yet such trials will serve as opportunities for testimony. Jesus reassures them with the promise of divine assistance:

“But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

This highlights the active presence of the Holy Spirit, providing the apostles with the wisdom, courage, and words necessary in moments of persecution. Jesus further describes the personal toll of discipleship:

“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

The reference to familial betrayal underscores the radical and, at times, divisive nature of allegiance to Christ. The promise of ultimate salvation to those who endure presents both a challenge and an encouragement to persevere.

Verses 24-33: The Cost of Discipleship

Jesus uses the relationship between teacher and student to articulate the realities of following Him:

“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.”

In essence, if Jesus faced opposition and suffering, His followers should expect similar treatment. Jesus cautions against fear but anchors this admonition in the promise of God’s ultimate justice:

“Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”

Here, Jesus emphasizes transparency and courage in proclaiming the gospel. He highlights the value God places on them:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

This imagery reassures the apostles of God’s intimate and provident care over their lives, encouraging them to fear God, who holds ultimate authority over eternal destinies, rather than human adversaries.

Verses 34-39: Division and loyalty to Christ

Jesus presents a sobering perspective on the implications of His mission:

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

Though Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the message He brings will inherently cause division among those who accept it and those who reject it. He then calls for absolute loyalty:

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

The imagery of taking up one’s cross—a symbol of suffering, shame, and death—highlights the total commitment required of His followers. The principle of losing and finding one’s life encapsulates this paradox:

“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

This profound statement drives home the truth that true life and fulfillment are found in self-denial and devotion to Christ.

Verses 40-42: Rewards of Service

The chapter concludes with a focus on hospitality and the rewards of receiving God’s messengers:

“He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

These verses underscore the principle of identification with Christ and the associated blessings. By receiving and aiding the apostles, individuals essentially welcome and support Jesus Himself. The promise of reward for even the smallest act of kindness (giving a cup of cold water) amplifies the value and significance of every gesture of faith-directed hospitality and support.

Conclusion

Matthew Chapter 10 stands as a cornerstone text for understanding Christian discipleship and mission. Its teachings are both practical and profound, blending immediate instructions with timeless spiritual truths. From the commissioning and empowering of the twelve apostles to the warnings and promises concerning their mission, this chapter encapsulates the heart of the Christian calling.

It challenges believers to embrace a mission that is marked by both authority and vulnerability, wisdom and innocence, persecution and divine support. Most importantly, it calls for an unwavering commitment to Christ, even in the face of division and suffering, promising ultimate fulfillment and divine reward.

In studying Matthew Chapter 10, modern readers can draw inspiration and guidance for their faith journey, recognizing the enduring relevance of Jesus’ instructions and promises in a world still in need of the Kingdom of Heaven’s message.