1 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.
2 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;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 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.
15 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.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 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.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21 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.
22 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [shall they call] them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 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.
36 And a man’s foes [shall be] they of his own household.
37 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.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 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.
42 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.
Overview of Matthew Chapter 10
Matthew Chapter 10 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus commissions His twelve disciples to spread His teachings and perform miracles. This chapter highlights the authority given to the disciples, the challenges they will face, and the importance of their mission. It serves as a guide for evangelism and discipleship in the early Christian community.
Key Themes
- Authority of the Disciples: Jesus empowers His disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons.
- Mission and Evangelism: The chapter emphasizes the urgency of spreading the Gospel and the specific instructions given to the disciples.
- Persecution and Suffering: Jesus warns the disciples about the challenges they will face, including persecution, rejection, and hostility.
- Cost of Discipleship: The chapter discusses the sacrifices required to follow Jesus and the commitment to His mission.
- Divine Provision: Jesus assures the disciples of God’s provision and care as they undertake their mission.
Structure of the Chapter
- Commissioning of the Twelve Disciples (Verses 1-4):
Jesus calls His twelve disciples, giving them authority over unclean spirits and disease. The list of the apostles is provided, highlighting their backgrounds and roles.
- Instructions for the Mission (Verses 5-15):
Jesus sends the disciples to the lost sheep of Israel, instructing them to preach the message of the kingdom, heal the sick, and perform miracles. He advises them on their conduct and the importance of their message.
- Warnings about Persecution (Verses 16-25):
Jesus prepares the disciples for the hostility they will encounter, comparing them to sheep among wolves. He emphasizes the need for wisdom and caution in their interactions.
- Encouragement Amidst Fear (Verses 26-31):
Jesus reassures the disciples not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. He emphasizes God’s care for them, likening their value to that of sparrows.
- Cost of Following Jesus (Verses 32-39):
Jesus speaks about the necessity of acknowledging Him before others and the implications of discipleship, including familial divisions and the call to take up one’s cross.
- Rewards of Discipleship (Verses 40-42):
The chapter concludes with a promise of rewards for those who receive the disciples and support their mission, emphasizing the significance of even the smallest acts of kindness.
Analysis of Key Verses
- Verses 1-4:
These verses establish the authority of the disciples, which is crucial for their mission. The naming of the twelve apostles signifies their importance in the early church.
- Verse 8:
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” This verse encapsulates the power and responsibility bestowed upon the disciples, highlighting the tangible impact of their ministry.
- Verse 16:
Jesus’ metaphor of sending the disciples as “sheep among wolves” illustrates the vulnerability they will face, emphasizing the need for discernment and caution.
- Verse 28:
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” This verse reassures the disciples of the eternal significance of their mission, encouraging them to prioritize spiritual over physical safety.
- Verse 39:
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” This teaching emphasizes the paradox of discipleship, where true life is found in self-sacrifice for Christ.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 10 serves as a foundational text for understanding the mission of the disciples and the nature of discipleship. It encapsulates the themes of authority, mission, persecution, and the cost of following Jesus. The chapter not only instructs the apostles but also provides timeless principles for Christians today regarding the challenges and rewards of living out their faith.
