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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Matthew Chapter 10

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Matthew (Levi)
Date Penned: (60-65 AD)
Overview: Jesus Christ the King (c 1-28)
Theme: Message and Ministry of Jesus, The King (c 4-25)
Message: Jesus Sends out the 12 Disciples (v 1-15) Jesus  Prepares the Disciples for Persecution (v 17-42)

Matthew 10 Commentary
   
(10:1) This chapter continues Jesus’ second discourse recorded by Matthew. This second discourse began at 9:35 and ends at 10:42. Matthew 10:1-16, closely parallel to Mark 3:13-19 and 6:7-13, describes Jesus’ appointment of the Twelve for their first apostolic mission. Though this was the first time they went out on their own, they had been given authority from Jesus to carry on the work of preaching and healing.


(10:2-16) Jesus had many disciples (learners), but he appointed twelve to whom he gave authority and special training. These men were his inner circle and received the most intense training. We see the impact of these men throughout the rest of the New Testament. They started the Christian church. The Gospels call these men the “disciples” or the “Twelve”; the book of Acts calls them “apostles.” The choice of twelve men is highly symbolic. The number twelve corresponds to the twelve tribes of Israel (19:28), showing the continuity between the old religious system and the new one based on Jesus’ message. These men were the righteous remnant (the faithful believers throughout the Old Testament who never abandoned God or his law) who would carry on the work the twelve tribes were chosen to do—to build the community of God. The number was so important that when Judas Iscariot killed himself, the disciples chose another man to replace him (see Acts 1:15-26). This records the first time Jesus sent these disciples out on their own. These twelve men had Jesus’ authority over the forces of evil. Jesus empowered his disciples to cast out evil spirits. Jesus also gave these disciples power to heal every kind of disease and illness. It was important that they have these powers because Jesus was extending his mission through them. Jesus directly confronted demons and sicknesses. The disciples carried on Jesus’ purpose and his power.


(10:17-39) The new movement of Christianity would eventually face great opposition—from Jews and Gentiles alike. While it may not have seemed possible as these disciples roamed the hillsides with this popular teacher, a day would come when some would have to choose between their faith and persecution (or death). Jesus warned that they would need to focus on their mission and turn their defense into a testimony for their faith.

(10:40-42) Jesus described how the disciples should go about their ministry—staying in homes of worthy people. Those who would welcome the disciples would receive great reward. The word “welcomes” may refer both to hospitality (receiving the messenger) as well as conversion (receiving the message). Jesus’ representatives carry all his authority. Those who welcome the disciples welcome Jesus; those who welcome Jesus welcome the Father who sent Jesus. Again Jesus unmistakably claims his relationship to God. Jesus spoke these words to his twelve disciples, but then repeated the saying three more times using prophets, righteous people, and little ones. To give a cup of cold water was an important act of courtesy and hospitality. The disciples definitely were “little ones” who were insignificant and despised in the eyes of the world. Those who would welcome the disciples merely because they were disciples would not lose their reward. Because the disciples would come with God’s authority, their acceptance by people would test the people’s attitudes toward God. It is that attitude that leads either to reward or loss of reward.

 


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Your Ministry

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Matthew with Chapter 10. In our text today we see Jesus sending forth the disciples to go forth and do the work of the Ministry. In making application we see as Christians we too need to heed the call of the Lord going forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. How about you? Are you saved? If so let us learn from our text today and heed the call of the Lord to go forth doing the Ministry or Service of the Lord as we reach the Lost and make disciples of all Nations.

 

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Matthew 10

Matthew 10

 1And 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.

 2Now 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;

 3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

 4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

 5These 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:

 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

 9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

 10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

 11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

 12And when ye come into an house, salute it.

 13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

 14And 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.

 15Verily 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.

 16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

 17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

 18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

 19But 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.

 20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

 21And 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.

 22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

 23But 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.

 24The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

 25It 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?

 26Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

 27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

 28And 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.

 29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

 31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

 34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

 35For 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.

 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

 37He 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.

 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

 40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

 41He 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.

 42And 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.