Matthew · chapter 10 of 28
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Matthew 10 tells how Jesus calls his twelve disciples, gives them authority to heal and cast out demons, and sends them first to the lost sheep of Israel with precise instructions. He warns them that they will be persecuted, that they must not fear those who kill the body, that loyalty to Jesus comes before family and that whoever receives them receives him.
At the end of chapter 9, Jesus felt compassion for the crowds and asked for prayer for workers. Matthew 10 is the answer: the disciples themselves are sent. It is the second great discourse in Matthew, with instructions for the immediate mission and warnings that reach beyond that first journey to the life of every disciple.
Jesus calls his twelve disciples and gives them authority over unclean spirits and every disease. Matthew names them, among them Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
He sends them first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. They are to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, heal, cleanse lepers and cast out demons, and give freely what they received freely. They are to take no money or extra supplies, for the worker deserves his food. If a town does not receive them, they are to shake the dust off their feet.
Jesus warns that he sends them as sheep in the midst of wolves: they will be brought before courts and governors, and the Spirit of their Father will speak through them. There will be family divisions and they will be hated because of his name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. A disciple is not above his teacher.
Three times he tells them not to fear. They must not fear those who kill the body but the one who can destroy soul and body in hell, and the Father cares even for sparrows and has numbered the hairs of their heads. Whoever acknowledges Jesus before others will be acknowledged before the Father. Jesus says he did not come to bring peace but a sword, that whoever loves family more than him is not worthy of him, and that whoever does not take up his cross and follow him is not either; whoever loses his life for him will find it. Whoever receives a disciple receives Jesus, and whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones will not lose his reward.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Jesus commands them to heal, cleanse lepers and cast out demons, and to give freely what they received freely. The disciples do not produce the power; they receive it from Jesus, and so they must not charge for it.
Jesus sends his disciples as sheep in the midst of wolves and asks them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. The mission does not promise comfort; it asks for wisdom to discern and simplicity not to deceive.
They should not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but rather fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Reverent fear of God frees us from the fear of people.
Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Jesus is not worthy of him, and whoever loses his life for him will find it. Following Christ costs, but surrender to him is the way to true life.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease. — Matthew 10:1
Answer: To the lost sheep of the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. — Matthew 10:5-6
Answer: That the kingdom of heaven is at hand. — Matthew 10:7
Answer: Wise as serpents and innocent as doves. — Matthew 10:16
Answer: Sparrows: none falls without the Father, and he has numbered even the hairs of their heads. — Matthew 10:29-31
Answer: That he will not lose his reward. — Matthew 10:42
This chapter does not promise an easy life to the one who follows Jesus, but it does promise the presence and care of the Father. In a small group you can ask what fear holds us back from talking about Jesus or living as disciples, and remember that the Father who cares for sparrows cares for us.
The words about the cup of cold water also encourage: the mission is not only for great servants. Ask what simple act of hospitality or service you can do this week for someone who follows Christ or needs to know him.
Matthew 10 ends with the promise of reward for those who receive Jesus' messengers. In chapter 11, when Jesus finishes instructing his twelve, John the Baptist sends messengers from prison to ask whether he is the one who was to come.
Matthew shows that the Messiah came first to the lost sheep of Israel, according to the promises made to this people. This restriction was for that specific mission: at the end of the Gospel Jesus sends the disciples to make disciples of all nations.
Jesus is not speaking of violence but of the fact that his call divides even families when some follow him and others do not. Those who love him must put him above the closest ties. It does not contradict the gospel message of peace but warns of the cost.
Jesus speaks of those who openly deny him under pressure, and asks his disciples to acknowledge his name even at risk. The text underlines the seriousness of confessing Christ, and other passages show that Peter, who denied him, was restored by his grace.