Matthew 10

Jesus expands his ministry (see Matthew 4:23–9:34) by sending his disciples to other people in Israel (10:5–6). The instructions Jesus gives his disciples (10:5–42) emphasizes missionary work and the opposition and challenges they will encounter.

• Jesus called his twelve disciples as workers in the harvest (Matthew 9:37–38). Choosing twelve was on purpose, reminding people of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was appointing new leaders for God's new people under his rule as the Messiah (16:18–19; 18:18; 19:28; 21:43).

• Jesus gave them authority (9:6–8; 28:18): Jesus empowered the twelve apostles to perform tasks that Jewish leaders could not do (9:32–34; 10:5–8). Jesus shows his authority to cast out evil spirits (8:28) and to heal in similar ways (4:23; 8:1–9:35).

• The apostles are ambassadors sent by Christ's authority to represent him and complete specific tasks (see Matthew 10:1–8, 40; 28:16–20). The term apostle also refers to Paul (Galatians 1:1).

• first Simon, called Peter: Peter was the first apostle chosen by Jesus (Matthew 4:18–22; 16:17–19). He served as the leader of the apostles (see 19:27; 26:33; Acts 2:14).

The New Testament contains four lists of the apostles (see also Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13). These lists are slightly different.

The order of names changes, but the groups remain the same. The main difference is between “Thaddaeus” (10:3; Mark 3:18) and “Judas son of James” (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). These may be two names for the same person.

Matthew, the tax collector (see Matthew 9:9), is also known as Levi (Mark 2:14).

• the Zealot: Zealots were militant Jews who believed violence and war could achieve God's will. As a Jewish nationalist, Simon was probably passionate about the law (Acts 22:3–5; Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:6). The Jewish historian Josephus blamed the Zealot party for the major war with Rome from AD 66–70.

• Iscariot might refer to someone from Kerioth in southern Judea (Joshua 15:25) or from Kerioth in Perea (Jeremiah 48:24).

• Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles: At this time, the mission of Jesus was limited to the Jews (Matthew 15:24). God would reach Gentiles (non-Jewish people) through the Jews (Isaiah 2:2–4; 42:6–7; 49:6; 60:3).

• Jews saw Samaritans as impure Jews (Luke 17:18) because they married gentiles during and after the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles (2 Kings 17:24–41). The tension between Jews and Samaritans grew worse in 128 BC when John Hyrcanus, a Jewish leader, destroyed the Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim (Josephus, Antiquities 13.9.1).

They are lost because their shepherds (leaders) neglected them (9:36; 15:24).

By doing these things in the name and authority of Jesus, the apostles showed that Jesus is the Messiah (see 11:2–6).

Freely you have received; freely give: While payment is not wrong (1 Corinthians 9:3–19; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17), Jesus encouraged the apostles to avoid appearing greedy (see Acts 8:20; 20:33).

Jesus' disciples should trust God to provide (6:11, 25–34; 7:7–11). They should avoid greed, which could harm God's reputation. They should also encourage new communities to provide what their leaders need (see 1 Corinthians 9:3–19).

greet its occupants: Greetings meant more than just saying "hello." They often included a blessing for the person receiving it (see Ruth 2:4).

• A worthy home would accept the message about Jesus and the kingdom of heaven (10:37–38; 22:8).

• The disciples’ blessing was an offer of salvation. Taking back the blessing was a sign of judgment as the offer was removed.

Shake the dust off your feet: This act was like the actions of a prophet. It came from an Israelite custom: when crossing back into Israel, they would shake off the dust of Gentile lands to show rejection of ungodliness.

For the disciples, the gesture meant rejecting those who opposed God’s work (see Acts 18:6). Speaking judgment on those who refuse the message was part of proclaiming the good news about God’s kingdom (see Matthew 11:20–24; 13:10–15; 23:37–39; 24:1–36).

• God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their evil actions (Genesis 18:16–19:29). With the fuller revelation through Jesus Christ, a town that rejected the disciples' message would receive a more severe judgment.

• that town: A whole village or city is responsible when most people reject the message (see Acts 13:45–47, 50–51; 14:1–7). But God will save individuals who trust in him (for example, Lot; see Genesis 19:1–29; 2 Peter 2:6–9).

• Scripture often compares false leaders who exploit people’s spiritual weakness, instead of giving proper care, to wolves (Ezekiel 22:27; Zephaniah 3:3; compare Proverbs 28:15).

• be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves: This proverb means to be wise and careful, but not deceitful or violent.

Just as God gave Moses a spokesman in Aaron (Exodus 4:10–17), God would also give Jesus disciples the right words at the right time through the Spirit (John 14:26; Acts 4:8).

• Jewish people often connected family conflict with the end times (see Matthew 24:9–10). Jesus himself went through such conflict (12:46–50).

• The one who perseveres to the end means those who stay loyal to Jesus, even to death or until he returns (10:23).

• will be saved: Some interpret this as being freed from persecution, like release from prison. But here it refers to eternal salvation for those who stay faithful.

• before the Son of Man comes: Scholars disagree on whether this refers to Christ's second coming for his church or an earlier judgment, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (see 16:28).

• you will not reach: Jesus might mean “before you have fled through all the towns” or “before you have spread the gospel in all the towns.” The focus on persecution in the context (see 10:17–39) supports the first idea. It suggests the towns were like cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9–32). This emphasizes how widely they will reject the message. It means “not until the whole nation has expelled you.”

In the time of Jesus, people often called Satan "the prince of demons." The Greek word used is Beelzeboul, which comes from the name of an Old Testament pagan god, Baal-zebul (“lord, the prince”). In the Latin Bible, the name appears as Beelzebub. This form reflects a Hebrew phrase meaning “lord of flies.” It was likely a Jewish insult against Baal-zebul (see 2 Kings 1:2).

• The disciples of Jesus should only fear God by obeying him and testifying about him. Unlike human authorities, God's authority and judgment have no limits.

• hell: See study note on Matthew 5:29.

God cares for every sparrow. So, the disciples of Jesus, who are more valuable, should not fear. God will take care of them.

God accepts those who publicly acknowledge Jesus in times of trial and persecution (Matthew 10:16–25). These verses describe a person’s overall way of life, not just a single confession or denial (see 7:13–27). For example, Judas sometimes acknowledged Jesus but was still condemned (26:23–24). Peter denied Jesus (see 26:69–75), but he was restored and saved.

Jesus did bring peace (John 14:27), but not the kind of social or political peace people often expect. Instead, he called people to make a decision about him. This decision would bring a sword, meaning division, even within families (see Matt 8:21–22; 12:46–50; Luke 12:51).

Being loyal to Jesus is more important than being loyal to family.

The cross was a tool used by the Romans for torture and execution (Matthew 27:27–55). To take up your cross and follow Jesus means loving him more than anything else. It also means being ready to obey him, no matter the physical or social consequences.

• a prophet’s reward: This can mean either the same reward a prophet gets or the benefits of a prophet's service.

• a righteous man: This is someone who follows God’s law as taught by John the Baptist (Matthew 21:32) and Jesus (see 3:15). This is why God approves of them (13:43, 49; 25:37–46).

One of these little ones: This probably refers to the low social status of most of the disciples of Jesus (see Matthew 5:3; 18:1–5 and 6:5; 23:5–12).