Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah who extends His kingdom mission through authorized disciples and prepares them for suffering witness.
Text Size
Matthew 10
The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ
Jesus sends authorized workers into the harvest with kingdom authority, warning them that faithful witness will require dependence, discernment, courage, endurance, and supreme allegiance to Him.
Reading a chapter
What this page is: Each chapter page shows the big idea, the argument flow, key original-language terms, doctrine connections, and passage units, all in one place.
How to use it: Start with the Overview tab to get the chapter's main point. Then move to Passages to study individual units, or Language to trace key terms.
Going deeper: The Doctrines and Motifs tabs show how this chapter connects to the broader biblical story.
Chapter Summary
Jesus sends authorized workers into the harvest with kingdom authority, warning them that faithful witness will require dependence, discernment, courage, endurance, and supreme allegiance to Him.
Overview
Matthew 10 argues that kingdom mission is authorized by Jesus, patterned after Jesus, and costly because of Jesus. The disciples do not send themselves; Jesus summons, authorizes, names, instructs, and sends them. Their message is the nearness of the kingdom, and their works mirror Jesus’ own ministry of healing, cleansing, raising, and casting out demons. Yet mission is not triumphal ease.
It will bring rejection, persecution, betrayal, hatred, and danger. Jesus therefore commands wisdom, innocence, dependence on the Spirit, endurance, fearless proclamation, confession before men, and allegiance greater than family or life. The chapter ends by showing that the messenger represents the sender: to receive Christ’s messenger is to receive Christ and the Father.
Context
A Jewish or Jewish-Christian audience familiar with Israel’s tribes, synagogue discipline, prophetic sending, household hospitality, persecution, family loyalty obligations, and covenant mission.
The discourse follows Jesus’ compassion for harassed and helpless crowds in Matthew 9:35-38. Jesus summons the Twelve, gives them authority, and sends them first to the lost sheep of Israel.
Jesus sends authorized workers into the harvest with kingdom authority, warning them that faithful witness will require dependence, discernment, courage, endurance, and supreme allegiance to Him.
Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah who extends His kingdom mission through authorized disciples and prepares them for suffering witness.
A Jewish or Jewish-Christian audience familiar with Israel’s tribes, synagogue discipline, prophetic sending, household hospitality, persecution, family loyalty obligations, and covenant mission.
The discourse follows Jesus’ compassion for harassed and helpless crowds in Matthew 9:35-38. Jesus summons the Twelve, gives them authority, and sends them first to the lost sheep of Israel.
Social Pressure
- The chapter anticipates rejection by towns, legal and religious authorities, governors and kings, family members, and hostile crowds. It also addresses pressure to fear public witness, preserve family approval, avoid suffering, and cling to one’s life.
Traveling teachers and messengers depended on hospitality. Shaking dust from the feet symbolized testimony against rejection. Synagogue flogging and local councils were real threats. Family loyalty was a central social duty, making Jesus’ allegiance demands especially weighty.
Matthew 10 transitions from Jesus’ personal ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing to delegated apostolic mission. It anticipates Israel-focused proclamation, later Gentile witness before rulers, and the ongoing mission pattern of the church under Christ’s authority.
Chapter Movement
Matthew moves from the naming and authorizing of the Twelve, to their immediate mission to Israel, to practical instructions for dependent proclamation, to persecution warnings, to fearless witness, to costly allegiance, and finally to the reward attached to receiving Christ’s messengers.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Matthew 10 clarifies the gospel by showing that the good news of the kingdom is not a private possession but a sent proclamation under Jesus’ authority. Jesus authorizes His messengers to announce the nearness of God’s reign and display signs of restoration. Yet the gospel mission is cruciform: it brings rejection, persecution, betrayal, and the demand to lose life for Christ’s sake.
The gospel creates fearless confessors who trust the Father’s care, rely on the Spirit’s speech, love Christ above all, and receive life by losing it for Him.
Structural Flow
Jesus names and authorizes the Twelve as apostolic workers in response to the harvest need.
Jesus sends them first to the lost sheep of Israel with kingdom proclamation, healing signs, dependent travel, and judgment testimony against rejection.
Jesus prepares them for opposition from religious, civil, family, and public spheres.
Jesus commands courage because God reveals truth, judges rightly, values His servants, and honors confession of Christ.
Jesus demands allegiance above family and life itself.
Jesus identifies reception of His messengers with reception of Himself and the Father.
Chapter Outline
- 10:1-4: Jesus calls the Twelve, gives them authority, and Matthew names them as apostles.
- 10:5-8: The Twelve are sent to the lost sheep of Israel with the message of the nearness of the kingdom and signs of kingdom restoration.
- 10:9-15: Jesus commands material simplicity, dependence on worthy households, peace toward those who receive them, and testimony against those who reject them.
- 10:16-23: The disciples will face wolves, councils, flogging, governors, kings, family betrayal, hatred, and the need for endurance.
- 10:24-25: Those who follow Jesus should not expect better treatment than Jesus Himself receives.
- 10:26-31: Jesus commands courage because hidden things will be revealed, God alone must be feared, and the Father values His servants.
- 10:32-33: Jesus will acknowledge before the Father those who acknowledge Him, and deny those who deny Him.
- 10:34-39: Jesus brings division and demands love for Him above family, cross-bearing, and losing life for His sake.
- 10:40-42: Those who receive Jesus’ messengers receive Jesus and the Father, and even small acts of support will be rewarded.
Theological Argument
Matthew 10 argues that kingdom mission is authorized by Jesus, patterned after Jesus, and costly because of Jesus. The disciples do not send themselves; Jesus summons, authorizes, names, instructs, and sends them. Their message is the nearness of the kingdom, and their works mirror Jesus’ own ministry of healing, cleansing, raising, and casting out demons. Yet mission is not triumphal ease.
It will bring rejection, persecution, betrayal, hatred, and danger. Jesus therefore commands wisdom, innocence, dependence on the Spirit, endurance, fearless proclamation, confession before men, and allegiance greater than family or life. The chapter ends by showing that the messenger represents the sender: to receive Christ’s messenger is to receive Christ and the Father.
From authority delegated to mission sent, from mission instructions to persecution warnings, from persecution to fearless confession, from confession to costly allegiance, from allegiance to promised reward.
- 1.Mission begins with Jesus’ authority, not human initiative.
- 2.The initial mission is focused on Israel.
- 3.The apostolic message matches Jesus’ message.
- 4.Kingdom proclamation is accompanied by signs of restoration.
- 5.Mission requires dependence rather than accumulation.
- 6.The mission brings accountability to hearers.
- 7.Kingdom witness takes place amid hostility.
- 8.The Spirit will supply witness under pressure.
- 9.The disciple shares the treatment of the teacher.
- 10.Fear of God must overcome fear of people.
- 11.Public confession of Christ has eternal consequence.
- 12.Jesus demands supreme allegiance.
- 13.Receiving Christ’s messengers receives Christ and the Father.
Theological Focus
- Authority of Jesus
- Apostolic mission
- The Twelve
- Lost sheep of Israel
- Kingdom proclamation
- Healing signs
- Dependence
- Hospitality
- Judgment on rejection
- Persecution
- Spirit-enabled witness
- Endurance
- Fear of God
- Fatherly care
- Confession and denial
- Costly discipleship
- Cross Bearing
- Losing life for Christ
- Receiving Christ’s messengers
- Reward
- Delegated Authority
- Mission to Israel
- Kingdom Proclamation
- Dependence in Mission
- Reception and Rejection
- Spirit-Enabled Speech
- Fearless Witness
- Fatherly Providence
- Supreme Allegiance
- Representative Mission
- Christology
- Apostleship
- Kingdom of Heaven
- Mission
- Israel and Salvation History
- Spiritual Warfare
- Healing
- Holy Spirit
- Providence
- Confession and Denial
- Discipleship
- Judgment
Theological Themes
Jesus gives the Twelve authority to do works that mirror His own kingdom ministry.
The first sending prioritizes the lost sheep of Israel before the Gospel’s later movement to all nations.
The disciples proclaim the same message Jesus proclaimed: the kingdom of heaven has come near.
The messengers travel without self-protective accumulation, relying on God’s provision through hospitality.
Households and towns are evaluated by their reception or rejection of the kingdom messengers.
Faithful witnesses should expect religious, political, family, and public hostility.
When disciples are handed over, the Spirit of the Father will speak through them.
The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
The disciples must not fear human opponents but must fear God and confess Christ openly.
The Father values His servants more than sparrows and knows even the hairs of their heads.
Jesus demands loyalty above family, comfort, safety, and life itself.
To receive Jesus’ messengers is to receive Jesus and the Father who sent Him.
Covenant Significance
Matthew 10 shows Jesus gathering and sending twelve apostles in a way that evokes the twelve tribes of Israel and the restoration mission to God’s covenant people. The mission is first to the lost sheep of Israel, but its later horizon includes testimony before Gentile rulers and ultimately the mission to all nations. The chapter presents Jesus as the covenant Lord who authorizes messengers, summons Israel to kingdom nearness, warns of judgment for rejection, and demands allegiance greater than even the strongest kinship bonds.
Old Testament Connections
- Matthew 10:1-4 - The naming of the Twelve echoes Israel’s twelve-tribe identity and anticipates kingdom restoration.
- Matthew 10:5-6 - The first mission is directed to the lost sheep of Israel, showing covenant priority in salvation history.
- Matthew 10:7 - The kingdom message announces the nearness of God’s reign in Jesus.
- Matthew 10:11-15 - Reception or rejection of messengers brings covenant accountability and judgment.
- Matthew 10:18 - Though the mission begins with Israel, persecution will bear witness before governors, kings, and Gentiles.
- Matthew 10:40 - Receiving the apostolic messenger means receiving Jesus and the Father who sent Him.
- Genesis 49:28 - The twelve tribes of Israel form the background for the symbolic significance of the Twelve.
- Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel’s calling as a kingdom and holy nation stands behind the mission first to Israel.
- Numbers 27:15-17 - The image of sheep needing a shepherd connects to Matthew 9 and prepares for the sending in Matthew 10.
- Ezekiel 34:1-16 - The lost sheep imagery recalls God’s promise to seek and shepherd His scattered flock.
- Isaiah 52:7 - The heralding of good news and God’s reign provides background for kingdom proclamation.
- Jeremiah 1:7-10 - Prophetic sending, fearlessness, and God-given words parallel Jesus’ instructions about witness.
- Micah 7:5-6 - Jesus draws on household division language when warning that His mission will divide families.
- 1 Samuel 8:7 - Rejecting God’s appointed representative can amount to rejecting God Himself, a pattern intensified in receiving or rejecting Jesus’ messengers.
- 2 Kings 4:8-17 - Receiving a prophet and receiving prophet-like reward provide background for Matthew 10:41.
Canonical Connections
The Twelve apostles echo Israel’s twelve tribes and signal restoration-shaped mission.
Jesus’ mission to the lost sheep of Israel flows from the shepherd compassion of Matthew 9 and Old Testament promises of God seeking His flock.
The proclamation that the kingdom has come near aligns with prophetic heralding of God’s reign.
Receiving God’s messengers is treated as receiving the one who sends them.
Jesus’ messengers stand in the line of persecuted prophets and righteous witnesses.
God gives speech to His servants in moments of witness and pressure.
Jesus draws on prophetic language about household division to describe the cost of allegiance to Him.
Jesus’ call to take up the cross anticipates His own death and becomes a central discipleship pattern.
Jesus joins reverent fear of God with confidence in the Father’s detailed care.
Cross References
Gospel Clarity
Matthew 10 clarifies the gospel by showing that the good news of the kingdom is not a private possession but a sent proclamation under Jesus’ authority. Jesus authorizes His messengers to announce the nearness of God’s reign and display signs of restoration. Yet the gospel mission is cruciform: it brings rejection, persecution, betrayal, and the demand to lose life for Christ’s sake.
The gospel creates fearless confessors who trust the Father’s care, rely on the Spirit’s speech, love Christ above all, and receive life by losing it for Him.
Gospel Guardrails
- Sent Proclamation - The kingdom message is heralded by messengers authorized by Jesus.
- Authority of Christ - Jesus delegates authority over demons and disease, showing that mission depends on His rule.
- Grace Freely Given - Freely received grace must be freely given.
- Restoration Signs - Healing, cleansing, raising, and deliverance display the kingdom’s restoring power.
- Witness through Suffering - Persecution becomes opportunity for testimony before rulers and nations.
- Spirit’s Help - The Spirit of the Father speaks through persecuted witnesses.
- Fearless Confession - Christ will acknowledge before the Father those who acknowledge Him before others.
- Cross-Shaped Discipleship - Those who lose life for Jesus’ sake will find it.
- Representative Reception - Receiving Christ’s messengers means receiving Christ and the Father who sent Him.
- Do not preach mission as human enthusiasm detached from Jesus’ authority.
- Do not ignore the Israel-first setting of the immediate mission, but do not deny Matthew’s later all-nations horizon.
- Do not turn kingdom signs into spectacle detached from proclamation.
- Do not use persecution language to excuse foolishness, harshness, or poor conduct · Jesus commands wisdom and innocence.
- Do not make Spirit-enabled speech an excuse for ordinary laziness in study and preparation.
- Do not preach fearlessness as personality strength · Jesus grounds it in the Father’s care and God’s final authority.
- Do not soften Jesus’ warning about denial before others.
- Do not preach family division carelessly, but do not blunt Jesus’ supreme claim over family loyalty.
- Do not reduce cross-bearing to minor inconvenience.
- Do not turn reward into commercial transaction · reward is attached to receiving Christ’s representatives in faith.
Primary Emphasis
Matthew 10 presents Jesus as the authoritative sender, the Lord who delegates power over demons and disease, the Messiah whose mission first seeks Israel’s lost sheep, the master whose disciples share His reproach, the Son who will acknowledge or deny people before His Father, and the supreme object of allegiance above family and life. Jesus places Himself at the center of mission, confession, suffering, loyalty, and final reward.
Chapter Contribution
Matthew 10 argues that kingdom mission is authorized by Jesus, patterned after Jesus, and costly because of Jesus. The disciples do not send themselves; Jesus summons, authorizes, names, instructs, and sends them. Their message is the nearness of the kingdom, and their works mirror Jesus’ own ministry of healing, cleansing, raising, and casting out demons. Yet mission is not triumphal ease.
It will bring rejection, persecution, betrayal, hatred, and danger. Jesus therefore commands wisdom, innocence, dependence on the Spirit, endurance, fearless proclamation, confession before men, and allegiance greater than family or life. The chapter ends by showing that the messenger represents the sender: to receive Christ’s messenger is to receive Christ and the Father.
Doctrines in This Chapter
The apostles receive delegated authority from Jesus as authorized representatives of His mission.
Disciples are valuable to the Father and are therefore called to courage rather than fear.
Jesus identifies Himself as sent by the Father, making reception of Jesus reception of God Himself.
Jesus possesses authority to give authority, demonstrating lordship over demons, sickness, and mission.
Faithful disciples must acknowledge Jesus openly before others, even under pressure.
Following Jesus requires cross-bearing, self-denial, and willingness to lose earthly life.
The works commanded in the mission extend Jesus’ own authority over sickness, death, uncleanness, and demons.
Even the least-visible disciples matter deeply to Jesus and must not be despised.
Those who belong to Christ must persevere under hatred and pressure until the end.
Disciples must fear God above human persecutors because God alone has ultimate authority over final judgment.
Jesus warns of Gehenna and of being disowned before the Father, showing the eternal seriousness of denial.
The list includes ordinary, varied, and flawed men, showing that mission depends on Christ’s call rather than human worthiness.
Those who have freely received from Christ must not exploit ministry for gain but freely give.
The gospel may divide households where allegiance to Christ conflicts with family loyalty.
Rejection of the authorized kingdom witness brings serious accountability before God.
Hospitality toward Christ’s servants is a meaningful act of reception toward the kingdom mission.
The apostles proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has come near, continuing John’s and Jesus’ central message.
The sending of the Twelve begins the extension of Jesus’ ministry through chosen laborers.
Jesus’ first sending of the Twelve prioritizes Israel as the covenant people to whom the Messiah has come.
The Twelve correspond to Israel’s twelve-tribe pattern and signal the formation of Jesus’ messianic people.
Jesus teaches that faithful mission will provoke religious, political, social, and familial hostility.
The Father rules over the smallest details, including sparrows and the hairs of His children’s heads.
Jesus’ messengers represent Him, so response to them is bound up with response to Christ.
God notices and rewards acts of reception and mercy done in relation to Christ and His disciples.
The Spirit of the Father gives faithful speech to disciples brought before hostile authorities.
Jesus demands love and loyalty above every earthly relationship and attachment.
Life preserved apart from Christ is ultimately lost, while life surrendered for Christ is truly found.
Disciples follow the pattern of their crucified Lord by embracing suffering and shame for His sake.
Mission requires both prudent discernment and blameless conduct, not naivete or manipulation.
Doctrinal Weight
Jesus is the authoritative sender, master, teacher, Son before the Father, and supreme object of allegiance.
The Twelve are named as apostles and sent with delegated authority from Jesus.
The mission message announces that the kingdom of heaven has come near.
Mission is authorized, proclaimed, embodied, dependent, contested, and representative.
The mission is first directed to the lost sheep of Israel before Matthew’s later Gentile expansion.
Jesus gives authority over impure spirits and commands deliverance.
The disciples are authorized to heal sickness and disease as signs of kingdom nearness.
Jesus prepares His disciples for religious, civil, family, and public hostility.
The Spirit of the Father will speak through disciples under persecution.
The Father values His servants, knows their hairs, and governs even sparrows.
Public acknowledgment or denial of Jesus carries eternal consequence before the Father.
True discipleship requires cross-bearing, supreme allegiance, and losing life for Christ’s sake.
Rejected towns face judgment, and God’s authority over soul and body in Gehenna is to be feared.
Those who receive and support Christ’s messengers will not lose their reward.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Matthew 10 clarifies the gospel by showing that the good news of the kingdom is not a private possession but a sent proclamation under Jesus’ authority. Jesus authorizes His messengers to announce the nearness of God’s reign and display signs of restoration. Yet the gospel mission is cruciform: it brings rejection, persecution, betrayal, and the demand to lose life for Christ’s sake. The gospel creates fearless confessors who trust the Father’s care, rely on the Spirit’s speech, love Christ above all, and receive life by losing it for Him.
Key Greek Terms
Form in passage Aorist · Middle · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense summoned, called to oneself
Definition To call or summon someone to oneself.
References Matthew 10:1
Lexicon summoned, called to oneself
Why it matters The mission begins when Jesus summons the Twelve to Himself.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense twelve
Definition The number twelve.
References Matthew 10:1-2
Lexicon twelve
Why it matters The Twelve carry symbolic and representative significance related to Israel.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense disciples, learners, followers
Definition Learners or followers attached to a teacher.
References Matthew 10:1, 10:24-25, 10:42
Lexicon disciples, learners, followers
Why it matters The disciples become authorized messengers of Jesus.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense authority, right, delegated power
Definition Authority, right, or power to act.
References Matthew 10:1
Lexicon authority, right, delegated power
Why it matters Jesus delegates authority over spirits, disease, and sickness.
Individual words ἀφῆκεν τὸ πνεῦμα aphēken to pneuma · πνεῦμα δαιμονίου ἀκαθάρτου pneuma daimoniou akathartou
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense unclean spirits, impure spirits
Definition Demonic spirits associated with uncleanness and opposition to God.
References Matthew 10:1
Lexicon unclean spirits, impure spirits
Why it matters Jesus gives authority over demonic powers as part of kingdom mission.
Form in passage Present · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense to heal, cure, restore
Definition To heal, cure, or restore.
References Matthew 10:1, 10:8
Lexicon to heal, cure, restore
Why it matters The Twelve are authorized to heal every disease and sickness.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense disease, illness
Definition Disease, sickness, or illness.
References Matthew 10:1
Lexicon disease, illness
Why it matters The mission signs address embodied suffering as part of kingdom restoration.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense apostles, sent ones
Definition Sent ones, commissioned messengers, authorized representatives.
References Matthew 10:2
Lexicon apostles, sent ones
Why it matters Matthew identifies the Twelve as apostles, emphasizing commissioned representation.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense sent, commissioned
Definition To send out with commission or authority.
References Matthew 10:5
Lexicon sent, commissioned
Why it matters Jesus sends the Twelve as His authorized representatives.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense nations, Gentiles
Definition Nations or peoples, often non-Jews.
References Matthew 10:5, 10:18
Lexicon nations, Gentiles
Why it matters The immediate mission excludes Gentile routes, while later Matthew expands mission to all nations.
Sense Samaritans
Definition People of Samaria with mixed history and religious tension with Jews.
References Matthew 10:5
Lexicon Samaritans
Why it matters The initial mission restriction emphasizes Israel-first priority.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense lost sheep
Definition Sheep that are lost, ruined, or straying.
References Matthew 10:6
Lexicon lost sheep
Why it matters The mission is directed toward Israel as God’s vulnerable and straying flock.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Israel
Definition God’s covenant people descended from Jacob/Israel.
References Matthew 10:6
Lexicon Israel
Why it matters The first mission is to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense proclaim, herald, preach
Definition To announce publicly as a herald.
References Matthew 10:7
Lexicon proclaim, herald, preach
Why it matters The disciples’ primary mission is kingdom proclamation.
Individual words βασιλείαν ἀσάλευτον basileian asaleuton · βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν basileia tōn ouranōn
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense kingdom of heaven
Definition God’s saving reign and royal rule.
References Matthew 10:7
Lexicon kingdom of heaven
Why it matters The message of the mission is the nearness of the kingdom.
Form in passage Perfect · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense has come near, drawn near
Definition To draw near or approach.
References Matthew 10:7
Lexicon has come near, drawn near
Why it matters The kingdom has drawn near in the person and mission of Jesus.
Individual words βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν baptizomenoi hyper tōn nekrōn · σπείρεται / ἐγείρεται speiretai / egeiretai
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense raise dead people
Definition To raise those who are dead.
References Matthew 10:8
Lexicon raise dead people
Why it matters The delegated mission includes signs of resurrection power.
Individual words λεπροὺς καθαρίζετε leprous katharizete · οὐχὶ οἱ δέκα ἐκαθαρίσθησαν ouchi hoi deka ekatharisthēsan
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense cleanse leprous persons
Definition To cleanse those with leprous disease.
References Matthew 10:8
Lexicon cleanse leprous persons
Why it matters The disciples’ works mirror Jesus’ cleansing work in Matthew 8.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense cast out demons
Definition To expel or drive out demons.
References Matthew 10:8
Lexicon cast out demons
Why it matters The mission confronts demonic bondage under Jesus’ authority.
Sense freely, without cost
Definition Freely, as a gift, without payment.
References Matthew 10:8
Lexicon freely, without cost
Why it matters Grace received freely must be given freely in ministry.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense worker, laborer
Definition A worker or laborer.
References Matthew 10:10
Lexicon worker, laborer
Why it matters The worker is worth His keep, grounding legitimate support for mission labor.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense worthy, fitting, receptive
Definition Worthy, fitting, suitable, or deserving.
References Matthew 10:11, 10:37-38
Lexicon worthy, fitting, receptive
Why it matters The disciples discern worthy households and Jesus later speaks of being worthy of Him.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense peace, well-being, wholeness
Definition Peace, wholeness, welfare, or blessing.
References Matthew 10:13
Lexicon peace, well-being, wholeness
Why it matters The disciples extend peace to receptive households.
Individual words ἐκτινάξατε τὸν χοῦν ektinaxate ton choun · ἀποτινάσσετε τὸν κονιορτὸν apotinassete ton koniorton
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense shake off dust
Definition To shake out or shake off dust as testimony.
References Matthew 10:14
Lexicon shake off dust
Why it matters The act serves as a sign of testimony against rejection.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense judgment
Definition Judgment, decision, or condemnation.
References Matthew 10:15
Lexicon judgment
Why it matters Rejecting kingdom messengers carries serious judgment consequence.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense sheep
Definition Sheep, often metaphor for vulnerable people.
References Matthew 10:16
Lexicon sheep
Why it matters Jesus sends the disciples as vulnerable sheep among wolves.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense wolves
Definition Predatory animals, metaphor for hostile opponents.
References Matthew 10:16
Lexicon wolves
Why it matters Mission takes place amid dangerous hostility.
Sense wise, prudent, discerning
Definition Wise, prudent, sensible, or discerning.
Lexicon wise, prudent, discerning
Why it matters Disciples must exercise wise discernment in hostile mission.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense serpents, snakes
Definition Serpents or snakes.
References Matthew 10:16
Lexicon serpents, snakes
Why it matters The image teaches shrewd vigilance without endorsing deceit.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense innocent, pure, unmixed
Definition Innocent, pure, unmixed, or without guile.
References Matthew 10:16
Lexicon innocent, pure, unmixed
Why it matters Wisdom in mission must be joined to moral innocence.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense doves
Definition Doves, used as an image of innocence.
References Matthew 10:16
Lexicon doves
Why it matters The image guards mission wisdom from becoming corrupt or manipulative.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense hand over, deliver up, betray
Definition To hand over, deliver up, or betray.
References Matthew 10:17, 10:19, 10:21
Lexicon hand over, deliver up, betray
Why it matters Disciples will be handed over to councils, and even family betrayal will occur.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense councils, local courts
Definition Councils, assemblies, or judicial bodies.
References Matthew 10:17
Lexicon councils, local courts
Why it matters The mission will face formal religious and legal opposition.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense flog, scourge
Definition To whip, scourge, or flog.
References Matthew 10:17
Lexicon flog, scourge
Why it matters Jesus prepares disciples for bodily suffering because of witness.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense testimony, witness
Definition Testimony, evidence, or witness.
References Matthew 10:18
Lexicon testimony, witness
Why it matters Persecution before rulers becomes testimony to them and the Gentiles.
Individual words ἀφῆκεν τὸ πνεῦμα aphēken to pneuma · τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν to pneuma tou patros hymōn
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense Spirit of your Father
Definition The Spirit belonging to and sent by the Father.
References Matthew 10:20
Lexicon Spirit of your Father
Why it matters The Father’s Spirit will speak through disciples under persecution.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense endure, remain, stand firm
Definition To endure, remain under pressure, or stand firm.
References Matthew 10:22
Lexicon endure, remain, stand firm
Why it matters Endurance to the end marks the saved disciple.
Sense saved, rescued, delivered
Definition To save, rescue, preserve, or deliver.
References Matthew 10:22
Lexicon saved, rescued, delivered
Why it matters Jesus connects endurance with final salvation.
Cross-language bridge 3 links · View in lexicon
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense teacher
Definition Teacher or instructor.
References Matthew 10:24-25
Lexicon teacher
Why it matters The disciple should not expect better treatment than the teacher.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense lord, master
Definition Lord, master, or one with authority.
References Matthew 10:24-25
Lexicon lord, master
Why it matters Servants share the treatment given to their master.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Beelzebul, demonic ruler title
Definition A title associated with the chief demonic power.
References Matthew 10:25
Lexicon Beelzebul, demonic ruler title
Why it matters Jesus anticipates being slandered as demonic, and His household will be slandered too.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense fear, be afraid, revere
Definition To fear, be afraid, or revere depending on object.
References Matthew 10:26, 10:28, 10:31
Lexicon fear, be afraid, revere
Why it matters Jesus reorders fear away from human opponents and toward God.
Form in passage Future · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense revealed, uncovered
Definition To reveal, uncover, or disclose.
References Matthew 10:26
Lexicon revealed, uncovered
Why it matters Hidden truth will be revealed, supporting fearless witness.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense soul, life, self
Definition Life, soul, or inner self.
References Matthew 10:28, 10:39
Lexicon soul, life, self
Why it matters Human persecutors can kill the body but not the soul.
Cross-language bridge 3 links · View in lexicon
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense body
Definition Physical body.
References Matthew 10:28
Lexicon body
Why it matters Jesus distinguishes bodily harm from God’s authority over both body and soul.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense destroy, ruin, lose
Definition To destroy, ruin, lose, or perish.
References Matthew 10:28, 10:39
Lexicon destroy, ruin, lose
Why it matters God’s authority over soul and body in Gehenna grounds holy fear.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Gehenna, final judgment
Definition A term associated with final judgment and destruction.
References Matthew 10:28
Lexicon Gehenna, final judgment
Why it matters Jesus warns that God’s judgment is more serious than human persecution.
Cross-language bridge 2 links · View in lexicon
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense sparrows, small birds
Definition Small birds of little market value.
References Matthew 10:29-31
Lexicon sparrows, small birds
Why it matters If the Father attends to sparrows, disciples need not fear being forgotten.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense acknowledge, confess
Definition To confess, acknowledge, or publicly agree.
References Matthew 10:32
Lexicon acknowledge, confess
Why it matters Jesus promises to acknowledge before the Father those who acknowledge Him before others.
Form in passage Aorist · Middle · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense deny, disown
Definition To deny, disown, or refuse association.
References Matthew 10:33
Lexicon deny, disown
Why it matters Denying Jesus before others leads to Jesus denying the person before the Father.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense peace
Definition Peace, harmony, or wholeness.
References Matthew 10:34
Lexicon peace
Why it matters Jesus shocks hearers by saying He did not come to bring peace in the sense of family-level avoidance of division.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense sword
Definition A sword or blade; metaphorically division or conflict.
References Matthew 10:34
Lexicon sword
Why it matters Jesus’ mission creates dividing allegiance, even in households.
Individual words φιλῶν ... ὑπὲρ ἐμέ philōn ... hyper eme · βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν baptizomenoi hyper tōn nekrōn
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense love more than me
Definition To love with affection, here in comparative allegiance.
References Matthew 10:37
Lexicon love more than me
Why it matters Jesus demands love for Him above the closest family bonds.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense cross
Definition An instrument of Roman execution, shame, and death.
References Matthew 10:38
Lexicon cross
Why it matters Discipleship requires taking up the cross and following Jesus.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense receive, welcome
Definition To receive, welcome, accept, or host.
References Matthew 10:40-42
Lexicon receive, welcome
Why it matters Receiving Jesus’ messengers means receiving Jesus and the Father.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense prophet
Definition One who speaks God’s word.
References Matthew 10:41
Lexicon prophet
Why it matters Receiving a prophet as prophet brings a prophet’s reward.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense righteous person
Definition One who is righteous or just before God.
References Matthew 10:41
Lexicon righteous person
Why it matters Receiving a righteous person as righteous has reward significance.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense little ones, lowly ones
Definition Small, lowly, or seemingly insignificant ones.
References Matthew 10:42
Lexicon little ones, lowly ones
Why it matters Even the lowliest disciple is honored when received in Jesus’ name.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense reward, recompense
Definition Reward, wages, or recompense.
References Matthew 10:41-42
Lexicon reward, recompense
Why it matters Jesus promises reward for receiving and supporting His messengers.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense names
Definition Names, identities, or personal designations.
References Matthew 10:2
Lexicon names
Why it matters The named list grounds the mission in real, accountable, historical messengers.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense first
Definition First in order or prominence.
References Matthew 10:2
Lexicon first
Why it matters Peter is named first in the list of the Twelve.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense betrayed, handed over
Definition To hand over, deliver up, or betray.
References Matthew 10:4
Lexicon betrayed, handed over
Why it matters Judas is identified by betrayal from the beginning of the apostolic list.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense command, instruct, charge
Definition To command, instruct, or give orders.
References Matthew 10:5
Lexicon command, instruct, charge
Why it matters The mission is governed by Jesus’ explicit instructions.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense way, road, path
Definition Road, route, way, or path.
References Matthew 10:5
Lexicon way, road, path
Why it matters Jesus restricts their route for the immediate Israel-focused mission.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense go, travel, proceed
Definition To go, travel, or proceed.
References Matthew 10:6-7
Lexicon go, travel, proceed
Why it matters Jesus’ mission command requires movement toward the lost sheep.
Individual words χρυσὸν μηδὲ ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν chryson mēde argyron mēde chalkon · χρυσὸν μηδὲ ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν chryson mēde argyron mēde chalkon · χρυσὸν μηδὲ ἄργυρον μηδὲ χαλκὸν chryson mēde argyron mēde chalkon
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense gold, silver, copper money
Definition Precious metals and coinage.
References Matthew 10:9
Lexicon gold, silver, copper money
Why it matters Jesus teaches mission dependence and forbids self-funded accumulation for this journey.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense traveler’s bag
Definition A bag or pouch used for travel provisions.
References Matthew 10:10
Lexicon traveler’s bag
Why it matters The disciples are to travel without extra supply dependence.
Form in passage Aorist · Middle · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense greet, welcome
Definition To greet or welcome.
References Matthew 10:12
Lexicon greet, welcome
Why it matters The disciples extend peace upon entering a household.
Sense more bearable, more tolerable
Definition More tolerable or bearable.
References Matthew 10:15
Lexicon more bearable, more tolerable
Why it matters Jesus compares judgment severity for rejecting towns with Sodom and Gomorrah.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense beware, pay attention
Definition To beware, pay attention, or be on guard.
References Matthew 10:17
Lexicon beware, pay attention
Why it matters Jesus commands vigilance in the face of hostile people.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense governors, rulers
Definition Governors, rulers, or civil authorities.
References Matthew 10:18
Lexicon governors, rulers
Why it matters Persecution will bring disciples before civil rulers as witnesses.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense kings
Definition Kings or royal rulers.
References Matthew 10:18
Lexicon kings
Why it matters Witness will extend before high authorities.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense be anxious, worry
Definition To worry, be anxious, or be preoccupied with concern.
References Matthew 10:19
Lexicon be anxious, worry
Why it matters Jesus forbids anxious self-protection when disciples are handed over.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense brother
Definition Brother or close kin.
References Matthew 10:21
Lexicon brother
Why it matters Family betrayal will reach even the closest relationships.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense hated
Definition To hate, reject, or detest.
References Matthew 10:22
Lexicon hated
Why it matters Disciples will be hated because of Jesus’ name.
Cross-language bridge 3 links · View in lexicon
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense name, identity, reputation
Definition Name, identity, reputation, or revealed person.
References Matthew 10:22
Lexicon name, identity, reputation
Why it matters The hatred comes because of Jesus’ name.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense flee, escape
Definition To flee, escape, or avoid danger.
References Matthew 10:23
Lexicon flee, escape
Why it matters Jesus permits strategic flight under persecution.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense comes
Definition To come or arrive.
References Matthew 10:23
Lexicon comes
Why it matters The saying about the Son of Man coming is eschatologically significant and debated in timing.
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense covered, hidden
Definition To cover or hide.
References Matthew 10:26
Lexicon covered, hidden
Why it matters Jesus assures that what is hidden will be revealed.
Individual words κηρύσσουσιν / καταγγέλλεται kēryssousin / katangelletai · κηρύξατε ἐπὶ τῶν δωμάτων kēryxate epi tōn dōmatōn
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense proclaim from rooftops
Definition Publicly herald in an open, visible way.
References Matthew 10:27
Lexicon proclaim from rooftops
Why it matters Private instruction must become fearless public proclamation.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense hairs
Definition Hairs of the head.
References Matthew 10:30
Lexicon hairs
Why it matters The Father’s detailed knowledge supports courage and trust.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense worth more, surpass in value
Definition To differ, surpass, or be more valuable.
References Matthew 10:31
Lexicon worth more, surpass in value
Why it matters Disciples are worth more than many sparrows to the Father.
Individual words τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν to pneuma tou patros hymōn · βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν basileia tōn ouranōn
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense my Father in heaven
Definition God as Jesus’ Father enthroned in heaven.
References Matthew 10:32-33
Lexicon my Father in heaven
Why it matters Jesus’ acknowledgment or denial occurs before the Father in heaven.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense enemies, hostile ones
Definition Enemies or those hostile to someone.
References Matthew 10:36
Lexicon enemies, hostile ones
Why it matters A person’s enemies may be members of His own household.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense household members
Definition Those belonging to a household.
References Matthew 10:36
Lexicon household members
Why it matters Jesus warns that allegiance to Him can divide the household itself.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense finds, obtains
Definition To find, discover, or obtain.
References Matthew 10:39
Lexicon finds, obtains
Why it matters Trying to find one’s life apart from Christ leads to losing it.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense loses, gives up, destroys
Definition To lose, destroy, or give up.
References Matthew 10:39
Lexicon loses, gives up, destroys
Why it matters Losing life for Jesus’ sake is the path to finding true life.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense cup of cold water
Definition A cup of cool water, a small act of hospitality.
References Matthew 10:42
Lexicon cup of cold water
Why it matters Even small acts of support for disciples matter to Jesus.
Key Hebrew Terms
Sense twelve
Definition The number twelve.
References Genesis 49:28; Matthew 10:1-4
Lexicon twelve
Why it matters The Twelve apostles evoke the twelve tribes of Israel.
Form in passage Qal · Imperfect · 1st Person · Common · Singular What is this?
Sense to send, stretch out, commission
Definition To send, dispatch, or commission.
References Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 10:5
Lexicon to send, stretch out, commission
Why it matters Prophetic and covenant mission often begins with divine sending.
Sense sheep, flock
Definition Sheep or flock, often used for God’s people.
References Ezekiel 34:11-16; Matthew 10:6
Lexicon sheep, flock
Why it matters The lost sheep of Israel draws on covenant flock imagery.
Sense to be lost, perish, wander, be destroyed
Definition To perish, be lost, go astray, or be destroyed.
References Ezekiel 34:4; Matthew 10:6
Lexicon to be lost, perish, wander, be destroyed
Why it matters The mission targets lost sheep who need shepherding and restoration.
Sense kingdom, reign, royal rule
Definition Kingship, kingdom, or royal dominion.
References Daniel 7:14; Matthew 10:7
Lexicon kingdom, reign, royal rule
Why it matters The disciples proclaim the nearness of God’s reign.
Sense peace, wholeness, welfare
Definition Peace, welfare, completeness, or wholeness.
References Matthew 10:12-13
Lexicon peace, wholeness, welfare
Why it matters The disciples’ greeting of peace reflects covenant blessing and reception.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense testimony, witness
Definition Testimony or witness.
References Matthew 10:14-18
Lexicon testimony, witness
Why it matters Rejected messengers leave testimony against rejecting towns, and persecuted disciples bear witness before rulers.
Form in passage Qal · Imperfect · 2nd Person · Masculine · Plural What is this?
Sense to fear, revere
Definition To fear, reverence, or stand in awe.
References Isaiah 8:12-13; Matthew 10:28
Lexicon to fear, revere
Why it matters Jesus reorders fear away from people and toward God.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense life, soul, person
Definition Life, self, soul, or person.
References Matthew 10:28, 10:39
Lexicon life, soul, person
Why it matters Jesus warns that human persecutors cannot kill the soul and teaches losing life to find it.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense reward, wages
Definition Reward, wages, or recompense.
References 2 Kings 4:8-17; Matthew 10:41-42
Lexicon reward, wages
Why it matters Jesus promises reward for receiving prophets, righteous ones, and little disciples.
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (47)
grounds / explanation 7inference / conclusion 4strong contrast / correction 2purpose clause 1result clause 1conditional (subjunctive / open) 3content marker or causal 2continuation or mild contrast 16contrast setup (μέν...δέ) 1negative additive 1additive / emphatic 9
| v.1 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ὥστεso asresult clauseὥστε states what happens as a consequence. ἵνα states what is intended. |
| v.2 | δὲAndcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.6 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.7 | δὲalsocontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.10 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.11 | δ᾽nowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.12 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.13 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἐὰνifconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'μὲνindeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.ἐὰνonlyconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.14 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.16 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.17 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.18 | καὶandadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.δὲalsocontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.19 | δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.20 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.21 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.22 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.23 | δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.24 | οὐδὲnor [is]negative additiveοὐδέ in a list builds rhetorical force — each addition strengthens the overall negation. |
| v.25 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'εἰIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.26 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.γάρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.28 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.30 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.31 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.32 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.33 | δ᾽nowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.34 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.35 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.36 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.38 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.42 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (110 main verbs)
completed 7ongoing 12prospective 18resultant 1imperative 20subjunctive 19infinitive 7participle 26
| v.1 | προσκαλεσάμενοςproskaléomaicalledaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔδωκενdídōmigaveaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐκβάλλεινekbállōcast ~ outpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbθεραπεύεινtherapeúōhealpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.4 | παραδοὺςparadídōmibetrayedaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.5 | ἀπέστειλενsent outaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπαραγγείλαςparangéllōinstructingaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλέγωνlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀπέλθητεgoaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentεἰσέλθητεeisérchomaienteraorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.6 | πορεύεσθεporeúomaigopresent middle imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀπολωλόταlostperfect active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.7 | πορευόμενοιporeúomaigopresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκηρύσσετεkērýssōpreachpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationλέγοντεςlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἬγγικενengízōcome nearperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
| v.8 | ἀσθενοῦνταςsickpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionθεραπεύετεtherapeúōhealpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐγείρετεegeírōraisepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationκαθαρίζετεkatharízōcleansepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐκβάλλετεekbállōcast outpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐλάβετεlambánōreceivedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδότεdídōmigiveaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.9 | κτήσησθεktáomaiacquireaorist middle subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.11 | εἰσέλθητεeisérchomaienteraorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἐξετάσατεexetázōfind outaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationμείνατεménōstayaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐξέλθητεexérchomaileaveaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.12 | εἰσερχόμενοιeisérchomaienterpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀσπάσασθεgreetaorist middle imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.13 | ἐλθάτωérchomaicomeaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐπιστραφήτωepistréphōreturnaorist passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.14 | δέξηταιdéchomaiwelcomeaorist middle subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀκούσῃlisten toaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἐξερχόμενοιexérchomaileavepresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐκτινάξατεektinássōshake offaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.15 | λέγωlégōsaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.16 | ἀποστέλλωsending ~ outpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.17 | προσέχετεproséchōbewarepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationπαραδώσουσινparadídōmihand ~ overfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionμαστιγώσουσινmastigóōflogfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.18 | ἀχθήσεσθεbroughtfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.19 | παραδῶσινparadídōmihand ~ overaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentμεριμνήσητεmerimnáōworry aboutaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentλαλήσητεlaléōsayaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentδοθήσεταιdídōmigivenfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionλαλήσητεlaléōsayaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.20 | λαλοῦντεςlaléōspeakpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλαλοῦνlaléōspeakingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.21 | παραδώσειparadídōmibetrayfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐπαναστήσονταιepanístamairise upfuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionθανατώσουσινthanatóōput to deathfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.22 | ὑπομείναςhypoménōenduresaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionσωθήσεταιsṓzōsavedfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.23 | διώκωσινdiṓkōpersecutepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentφεύγετεpheúgōfleepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationλέγωlégōsaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthτελέσητεteléōgone throughaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἔλθῃérchomaicomesaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.25 | ἐπεκάλεσανepikaléomaicalledaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.26 | φοβηθῆτεphobéōafraid ofaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentκεκαλυμμένονkalýptōcoveredperfect passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀποκαλυφθήσεταιrevealedfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionγνωσθήσεταιginṓskōknownfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.27 | λέγωlégōtellpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthεἴπατεépōspeakaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀκούετεhearpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκηρύξατεkērýssōproclaimaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.28 | φοβεῖσθεphobéōfearpresent middle imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀποκτεννόντωνkillpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδυναμένωνdýnamaiare ~ ablepresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀποκτεῖναιkillaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbφοβεῖσθεphobéōfearpresent middle imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationδυνάμενονdýnamaicanpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀπολέσαιdestroyaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.29 | πωλεῖταιpōléōsoldpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπεσεῖταιpíptōfallfuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.31 | φοβεῖσθεphobéōfearpresent middle imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationδιαφέρετεdiaphérōof more valuepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.32 | ὁμολογήσειhomologéōacknowledgesfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionὁμολογήσωhomologéōacknowledgefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.33 | ἀρνήσηταίdeniesaorist middle subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀρνήσομαιdenyfuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.34 | νομίσητεnomízōthinkaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἦλθονérchomaicomeaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionβαλεῖνbringaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἦλθονérchomaicomeaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionβαλεῖνbringaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.35 | ἦλθονérchomaicomeaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδιχάσαιdicházōsetaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.37 | φιλῶνphiléōlovespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionφιλῶνphiléōlovespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.38 | λαμβάνειlambánōtakepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀκολουθεῖfollowpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.39 | εὑρὼνheurískōfindsaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀπολέσειlosefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἀπολέσαςlosesaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεὑρήσειheurískōfindfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.40 | δεχόμενοςdéchomaireceivespresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδέχεταιdéchomaireceivespresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδεχόμενοςdéchomaireceivespresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδέχεταιdéchomaireceivespresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀποστείλαντάsentaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.41 | δεχόμενοςdéchomaireceivespresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλήμψεταιlambánōreceivefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionδεχόμενοςdéchomaireceivespresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλήμψεταιlambánōreceivefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.42 | ποτίσῃpotízōgivesaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentλέγωlégōsaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀπολέσῃloseaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
Matthew 10 forms readers to see Christian mission as Christ-authorized, kingdom-centered, Spirit-sustained, persecution-tested, fear-conquering, and allegiance-demanding.
The chapter presses the church to reject comfort-based discipleship, recover courage in witness, train believers for opposition, and place loyalty to Christ above all earthly loyalties.
Dependence, simplicity, discernment, courage, endurance, innocence, wisdom, public confession, cross-bearing, Christ-supreme love, hospitality, and mission readiness.
Practice Response
- Pray and prepare to be sent.
- Clarify the message.
- Practice ministry without profiteering.
- Travel light in spirit.
- Develop wise innocence.
- Rehearse courage before pressure comes.
- Confess Christ plainly.
- Order loves under Christ.
- Take up the cross.
- Receive faithful messengers.
Warnings and Misreadings
- Matthew 10 contains severe warnings: rejecting kingdom messengers brings judgment worse than Sodom and Gomorrah · disciples will be persecuted, flogged, betrayed, hated, and possibly killed · denial of Christ before others leads to Christ’s denial before the Father · loving family more than Jesus makes one unworthy of Him · refusing the cross and clinging to life means losing it.
- Assuming Matthew 10 is only for the original Twelve and has no ongoing relevance. - The immediate mission belongs to the Twelve, but Jesus’ warnings about witness before governors, kings, Gentiles, and endurance extend patterns that shape later Christian mission.
- Ignoring the salvation-historical priority of Israel. - Jesus specifically sends the Twelve first to the lost sheep of Israel, while Matthew later expands the mission to all nations.
- Treating kingdom signs as detached miracle techniques. - Healing, raising, cleansing, and deliverance are signs attached to Jesus’ authorized kingdom proclamation.
- Using 'freely You have received · freely give' to deny all material support for ministry. - Jesus also says the worker is worth His keep · the command forbids merchandising grace, not faithful support.
- Reading the travel restrictions as universal instructions for every missionary in every context. - These instructions fit this specific Israel-focused mission, though their principles of dependence, simplicity, and integrity remain instructive.
- Confusing wisdom as serpents with manipulative cleverness. - Jesus pairs wisdom with innocence, excluding deceitful or corrupt tactics.
- Assuming persecution means the disciple must never flee. - Jesus explicitly says when persecuted in one place, flee to another.
- Using Spirit-enabled speech as an excuse for lazy preparation in ordinary teaching. - The promise specifically concerns being handed over under persecution · it does not abolish faithful preparation in ministry.
- Softening 'not peace but a sword' into vague relational tension only. - Jesus warns that allegiance to Him can create real division even within households.
- Treating love for family as bad. - Jesus does not condemn family love · He demands that love for Him be supreme above every earthly loyalty.
- Reducing cross-bearing to ordinary inconvenience. - In Jesus’ world, the cross signified shame, suffering, condemnation, and death · discipleship requires death to self-preservation.
- Turning the reward sayings into transactional religion. - Jesus honors reception and support of kingdom messengers because they represent Him, not because people can buy reward.
Discipleship Questions
- Do I see mission as Jesus’ work into which He sends workers, or as my own initiative?
- Am I proclaiming the kingdom clearly, or only offering vague spiritual encouragement?
- Where am I tempted to turn freely received grace into something self-serving?
- Do I trust God’s provision, or do I require excessive security before obeying?
- Can I discern the difference between receptive peace and hardened rejection?
- Am I wise without becoming deceitful, and innocent without becoming naive?
- Do I expect faithfulness to remove opposition, or am I prepared for wolves?
- When pressured, do I trust the Spirit’s help or collapse into self-protection?
- Whose opinion do I fear most when Christ must be confessed?
- Do I fear people who can harm the body more than God who judges soul and body?
- Would those around me know that I acknowledge Christ?
- Is there any family loyalty, relationship, or approval that outranks Jesus in my heart?
- What cross am I refusing because I still want discipleship without death to self?
- Am I trying to save my life in a way that will cause me to lose it?
- Do I receive and support faithful kingdom workers as representatives of Christ?
Pastoral Applications
- Mission - The church must understand mission as sent work under Christ’s authority, not self-generated activism.
- Preaching - Kingdom proclamation must remain clear: the reign of God has drawn near in Jesus Christ.
- Ministry_integrity - Freely received grace must never be merchandised, manipulated, or used for self-exaltation.
- Dependence - Ministry requires wise provision, but it must never be governed by anxious accumulation or refusal to trust God.
- Discernment - Jesus’ messengers must discern where peace is received and where witness is rejected.
- Persecution - Opposition is not automatic evidence of failure · Jesus prepared His servants for hostility.
- Public_witness - Believers must be trained to confess Christ openly without fear of social, legal, or relational cost.
- Family - Pastoral care must handle family division tenderly, while never lowering Jesus’ demand for supreme allegiance.
- Suffering - Cross-bearing is not decorative spirituality · it is the willingness to follow Jesus through shame, loss, and death to self-preservation.
- Assurance - Confession, endurance, and allegiance reveal the reality of discipleship, but must be preached as fruit of grace rather than self-salvation.
- Hospitality - Receiving faithful servants of Christ is a meaningful participation in kingdom mission.
- Leadership - Church leaders must prepare people for costly witness, not merely comfortable religious participation.
Pastoral Trajectories
Jesus’ compassion for shepherdless crowds leads to authorized workers being sent.
The disciples who are told to pray for laborers become the first answer to that prayer.
The Twelve proclaim, heal, cleanse, raise, and deliver in ways that mirror Jesus’ own works.
The mission begins with Israel but includes testimony before Gentiles and later all nations.
Reception of messengers brings peace; rejection brings judgment testimony.
Mission enthusiasm must become endurance under persecution.
Jesus reorders courage by teaching disciples whom to fear.
Jesus demands open acknowledgment before others.
Jesus’ claim outranks even the strongest earthly bonds.
The disciple finds life only by losing it for Christ’s sake.
Those who receive Jesus’ sent ones receive Jesus and the Father.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
Matthew moves from the naming and authorizing of the Twelve, to their immediate mission to Israel, to practical instructions for dependent proclamation, to persecution warnings, to fearless witness, to costly allegiance, and finally to the reward attached to receiving Christ’s messengers.
Matthew 10 shows Jesus gathering and sending twelve apostles in a way that evokes the twelve tribes of Israel and the restoration mission to God’s covenant people. The mission is first to the lost sheep of Israel, but its later horizon includes testimony before Gentile rulers and ultimately the mission to all nations. The chapter presents Jesus as the covenant Lord who authorizes messengers, summons Israel to kingdom nearness, warns of judgment for rejection, and demands allegiance greater than even the strongest kinship bonds.
Matthew 10 clarifies the gospel by showing that the good news of the kingdom is not a private possession but a sent proclamation under Jesus’ authority. Jesus authorizes His messengers to announce the nearness of God’s reign and display signs of restoration. Yet the gospel mission is cruciform: it brings rejection, persecution, betrayal, and the demand to lose life for Christ’s sake.
The gospel creates fearless confessors who trust the Father’s care, rely on the Spirit’s speech, love Christ above all, and receive life by losing it for Him.
Dependence, simplicity, discernment, courage, endurance, innocence, wisdom, public confession, cross-bearing, Christ-supreme love, hospitality, and mission readiness.
Focus Points
- Authority of Jesus
- Apostolic mission
- The Twelve
- Lost sheep of Israel
- Kingdom proclamation
- Healing signs
- Dependence
- Hospitality
- Judgment on rejection
- Persecution
- Spirit-enabled witness
- Endurance
- Fear of God
- Fatherly care
- Confession and denial
- Costly discipleship
- Cross-bearing
- Losing life for Christ
- Receiving Christ’s messengers
- Reward
- Delegated Authority
- Mission to Israel
- Dependence in Mission
- Reception and Rejection
- Spirit-Enabled Speech
- Fearless Witness
- Fatherly Providence
- Supreme Allegiance
- Representative Mission
- Christology
- Apostleship
- Kingdom of Heaven
- Mission
- Israel and Salvation History
- Spiritual Warfare
- Healing
- Holy Spirit
- Providence
- Discipleship
- Judgment
Explore Further
Cross References
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them, and blessed them. He blessed everyone according to His own blessing.
OldTestamentFoundation
Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying, “Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of Yahweh may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
OldTestamentFoundation
“ ‘For the Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out His flock in the day that He is among His sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep. I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. I will bring them out from...
OldTestamentFoundation
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
OldTestamentFoundation
But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for You must go to whomever I send You, and You must say whatever I command You. Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with You to rescue You,” says Yahweh. Then Yahweh stretched out His hand, and touched my mouth. Then Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in Your mouth.
ThemeParallel
Don’t trust in a neighbor. Don’t put confidence in a friend. With the woman lying in Your embrace, be careful of the words of Your mouth! For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of His own house.
QuotedAllusion
“Don’t say, ‘A conspiracy!’ concerning all about which this people say, ‘A conspiracy!’ neither fear their threats, nor be terrorized. Yahweh of Armies is who You must respect as holy. He is the one You must fear. He is the one You must dread.
ThemeParallel
From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
SameBook
When He came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. Behold, a leper came to Him and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You want to, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand, and touched Him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately His leprosy was cleansed.
ImmediateContext
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into His harvest.”
ImmediateContext
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”
SameBook
But He answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
SameBook
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let Him deny Himself, and take up His cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save His life will lose it, and whoever will lose His life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if He gains the whole world, and forfeits His life? Or what will a man give in exchange...
SameBook
Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell You that You who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of His glory, You also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
SameBook
Then they will deliver You up to oppression, and will kill You. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake. Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray.
SameBook
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded You. Behold, I am with You always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
SameBook
He called to Himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics.
CounterpartPassage
He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for Your journey—no staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money. Don’t have two coats each.
CounterpartPassage
Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of Him into every city and place where He was about to come. Then He said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that He may send out laborers into His harvest. Go Your ways. Behold, I send...
ThemeParallel
Most certainly I tell You, He who receives whomever I send, receives me; and He who receives me, receives Him who sent me.”
CanonicalPartner
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, may it be known to You all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom You crucified, whom God raised...
CanonicalPartner
But even if You should suffer for righteousness’ sake, You are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in Your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks You a reason concerning the hope that is in You, with humility and fear,
CanonicalPartner
Passages
Chapter opening: Matthew 10:1-4
His twelve disciples (τους δωδεκα μαθητας αυτου). First mention of the group of "learners" by Matthew and assumed as already in existence (note the article) as they were ( Mr 3:14 ). They were chosen before the Sermon on the Mount was delivered, but Matthew did not mention it in connection with that sermon. Gave them authority (εδωκεν αυτοις εξουσιαν). "Power" (Moffatt, Goodspeed).
One may be surprised that here only the healing work is mentioned, though Luke ( Lu 9:2 ) has it "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." And Matthew says ( Mt 10:7 ), "And as ye go, preach." Hence it is not fair to say that Matthew knows only the charge to heal the sick, important as that is. The physical distress was great, but the spiritual even greater.
Power is more likely the idea of εξουσια here. This healing ministry attracted attention and did a vast deal of good. Today we have hospitals and skilled physicians and nurses, but we should not deny the power of God to bless all these agencies and to cure disease as he wills. Jesus is still the master of soul and body. But intelligent faith does not justify us in abstaining from the help of the physician who must not be confounded with the quack and the charlatan.
The names of the twelve apostles (των δωδεκα αποστολων τα ονοματα). This is the official name (missionaries) used here by Matthew for the first time. The names are given here, but Matthew does not say that they were chosen at this time. Mark ( Mr 3:13-19 ) and Luke ( Lu 6:12-16 ) state that Jesus "chose" them, "appointed" them after a night of prayer in the mountain and came down with them and then delivered the Sermon ( Lu 6:17 ).
Simon heads the list (πρωτος) in all four lists including Ac 1:13 f . He came to be first and foremost at the great Pentecost ( Ac 2 and Ac 3 ). The apostles disputed a number of times as to which was greatest. Judas Iscariot comes last each time save that he is absent in Acts, being already dead. Matthew calls him the betrayer (ο παραδιδους). Iscariot is usually explained as "man of Kerioth" down near Edom ( Jos 15:25 ).
Philip comes fifth and James the son of Alphaeus the ninth. Bartholomew is the name for Nathanael. Thaddaeus is Judas the brother of James. Simon Zelotes is also called Simon the Canaanean (Zealous, Hebrew word). This is apparently their first preaching and healing tour without Jesus. He sends them forth by twos ( Mr 6:7 ). Matthew names them in pairs, probably as they were sent out.
These twelve Jesus sent forth (τουτους τους δωδεκα απεστειλεν ο Ιησους). The word "sent forth" (απεστειλεν) is the same root as "apostles." The same word reappears in 10:16 . Way of the Gentiles (οδον εθνων). Objective genitive, way leading to the Gentiles. This prohibition against going among the Gentiles and the Samaritans was for this special tour. They were to give the Jews the first opportunity and not to prejudice the cause at this stage.
Later Jesus will order them to go and disciple all the Gentiles ( Mt 28:19 ).
The lost sheep (τα προβατα τα απολωλοτα). The sheep, the lost ones. Mentioned here first by Matthew. Jesus uses it not in blame, but in pity (Bruce). Bengel notes that Jesus says "lost" more frequently than "led astray." "If the Jewish nation could be brought to repentance the new age would dawn" (McNeile).
As ye go, preach (πορευομενο κηρυσσετε). Present participle and present imperative. They were itinerant preachers on a "preaching tour," heralds (κηρυκες) proclaiming good news. The summary message is the same as that of the Baptist ( 3:2 ) that first startled the country, "the kingdom of heaven has drawn nigh." He echoed it up and down the Jordan Valley. They are to shake Galilee with it as Jesus had done ( 4:17 ).
That same amazing message is needed today. But "the apprentice apostles" (Bruce) could tell not a little about the King of the Kingdom who was with them.
Get you no gold (μη κτησησθε). It is not, "Do not possess" or "own," but "do not acquire" or "procure" for yourselves, indirect middle aorist subjunctive. Gold, silver, brass (copper) in a descending scale (nor even bronze). In your purses (εις τας ζωνας υμων). In your girdles or belts used for carrying money.
No wallet (μη πηραν). Better than "scrip." It can be either a travelling or bread bag. Deissmann ( Light from the Ancient East , pp. 108f.) shows that it can mean the beggar's collecting bag as in an inscription on a monument at Kefr Hanar in Syria: "While Christianity was still young the beggar priest was making his rounds in the land of Syria on behalf of the national goddess."
Deissmann also quotes a pun in the Didaskalia=Const. Apost . 3, 6 about some itinerant widows who said that they were not so much χηρα (spouseless) as πηρα (pouchless). He cites also Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida III. iii. 145: "Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back, wherein he puts alms for oblivion." For the labourer is worthy of his food (αξιος γαρ ο εργατης της τροφης αυτου).
The sermon is worth the dinner, in other words. Luke in the charge to the seventy ( Lu 10:7 ) has the same words with μισθου (reward) instead of τροφης (food). In 1Ti 5:18 Paul quotes Luke's form as scripture (η γραφη) or as a well-known saying if confined to the first quotation. The word for workman here (εργατης) is that used by Jesus in the prayer for labourers ( Mt 9:38 ).
The well-known Didach or Teaching of the Twelve (xiii) shows that in the second century there was still a felt need for care on the subject of receiving pay for preaching. The travelling sophists added also to the embarrassment of the situation. The wisdom of these restrictions was justified in Galilee at this time. Mark ( Mr 6:6-13 ) and Luke ( Lu 9:1-6 ) vary slightly from Matthew in some of the details of the instructions of Jesus.
If the house be worthy (εαν η η οικια αξια). Third class condition. What makes a house worthy? "It would naturally be readiness to receive the preachers and their message" (McNeile). Hospitality is one of the noblest graces and preachers receive their share of it. The apostles are not to be burdensome as guests.
Shake off the dust (εκτιναξατε τον κονιορτον). Shake out, a rather violent gesture of disfavour. The Jews had violent prejudices against the smallest particles of Gentile dust, not as a purveyor of disease of which they did not know, but because it was regarded as the putrescence of death. If the apostles were mistreated by a host or hostess, they were to be treated as if they were Gentiles (cf. Mt 18:17 ; Ac 18:6 ). Here again we have a restriction that was for this special tour with its peculiar perils.
More tolerable (ανεκτοτερον). The papyri use this adjective of a convalescent. People in their vernacular today speak of feeling "tolerable." The Galileans were having more privileges than Sodom and Gomorrah had.
As sheep in the midst of wolves (ως προβατα εν μεσω λυκων). The presence of wolves on every hand was a fact then and now. Some of these very sheep ( 10:6 ) at the end will turn out to be wolves and cry for Christ's crucifixion. The situation called for consummate wisdom and courage. The serpent was the emblem of wisdom or shrewdness, intellectual keenness ( Ge 3:1 ; Ps 58:5 ), the dove of simplicity ( Ho 7:11 ).
It was a proverb, this combination, but one difficult of realization. Either without the other is bad (rascality or gullibility). The first clause with αρνας for προβατα is in Lu 10:3 and apparently is in a Fragment of a Lost Gospel edited by Grenfell and Hunt. The combination of wariness and innocence is necessary for the protection of the sheep and the discomfiture of the wolves.
For "harmless" (ακεραιο) Moffatt and Goodspeed have "guileless," Weymouth "innocent." The word means "unmixed" (α privative and κεραννυμ), "unadulterated," "simple," "unalloyed."
Beware of men (προσεχετε απο των ανθρωπων). Ablative case with απο. Hold your mind (νουν understood) away from. The article with ανθρωπων points back to λυκων (wolves) in 10:16 . To councils (εις συνεδρια). The local courts of justice in every Jewish town. The word is an old one from Herodotus on for any deliberative body (χονχιλιυμ). The same word is used for the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.
In their synagogues (εν τοις συναγωγαις αυτων). Here not merely as the place of assembly for worship, but as an assembly of justice exercising discipline as when the man born blind was cast out of the synagogue ( Joh 9:35 ). They were now after the exile in every town of any size where Jews were.
Be not anxious (μη μεριμνησητε). Ingressive aorist subjunctive in prohibition. "Do not become anxious" ( Mt 6:31 ). "Self-defence before Jewish kings and heathen governors would be a terrible ordeal for humble Galileans. The injunction applied to cases when preparation of a speech would be impossible" (McNeile). "It might well alarm the bravest of these simple fishermen to be told that they would have to answer for their doings on Christ's behalf before Jewish councils and heathen courts" (Plummer).
Christ is not talking about preparation of sermons. " In that hour " (εν εκεινη τη ωρα), if not before. The Spirit of your Father will speak to you and through you ( 10:20 ). Here is no posing as martyr or courting a martyr's crown, but real heroism with full loyalty to Christ.
Ye shall be hated (εσεσθε μισουμενο). Periphrastic future passive, linear action. It will go on through the ages. For my name's sake (δια το ονομα μου). In the O.T. as in the Targums and the Talmud "the name" as here stands for the person ( Mt 19:29 ; Ac 5:41 ; 9:16 ; 15:26 ). "He that endureth to the end" (ο υπομεινας εις τελος). Effective aorist participle with future indicative.
Till the Son of man be come (εως ελθη ο υιος του ανθρωπου). Moffatt puts it "before the Son of man arrives" as if Jesus referred to this special tour of Galilee. Jesus could overtake them. Possibly so, but it is by no means clear. Some refer it to the Transfiguration, others to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, others to the Second Coming. Some hold that Matthew has put the saying in the wrong context.
Others bluntly say that Jesus was mistaken, a very serious charge to make in his instructions to these preachers. The use of εως with aorist subjunctive for a future event is a good Greek idiom.
Beelzebub (βεεζεβουλ according to B, βεελζεβουλ by most Greek MSS., βεελζεβουβ by many non-Greek MSS.). The etymology of the word is also unknown, whether "lord of a dwelling" with a pun on "the master of the house" (οικοδεσποτην) or "lord of flies" or "lord of dung" or "lord of idolatrous sacrifices." It is evidently a term of reproach. "An opprobrious epithet; exact form of the word and meaning of the name have given more trouble to commentators than it is all worth" (Bruce). See Mt 12:24 .
Fear them not therefore (μη ουν φοβηθητε αυτους). Repeated in verses 28 and 31 (μη φοβεισθε present middle imperative here in contrast with aorist passive subjunctive in the preceding prohibitions). Note also the accusative case with the aorist passive subjunctive, transitive though passive. See same construction in Lu 12:5 . In Mt 10:28 the construction is with απο and the ablative, a translation Hebraism as in Lu 12:4 (Robertson, Grammar of the Greek N.T. in the Light of Historical Research , p. 577).
Destroy both soul and body in hell (κα ψυχην κα σωμα απολεσα εν γεεννη). Note "soul" here of the eternal spirit, not just life in the body. "Destroy" here is not annihilation, but eternal punishment in Gehenna (the real hell) for which see on 5:22 . Bruce thinks that the devil as the tempter is here meant, not God as the judge, but surely he is wrong. There is no more needed lesson today than the fear of God.
Two sparrows (δυο στρουθια). Diminutive of στρουθος and means any small bird, sparrows in particular. They are sold today in the markets of Jerusalem and Jaffa. "For a farthing" (ασσαριου) is genitive of price. Only here and Lu 12:6 in the N.T. Diminutive form of the Roman as , slightly more than half an English penny. Without your Father (ανευ του πατρος υμων). There is comfort in this thought for us all. Our father who knows about the sparrows knows and cares about us.
Than many sparrows (πολλων στρουθιων). Ablative case of comparison with διαφερετε (our differ).
Shall confess me (ομολογησε εν εμο). An Aramaic idiom, not Hebrew, see also Lu 12:8 . So also here, "him will I also confess" (ομολογησω κ'αγω εν αυτω). Literally this Aramaic idiom reproduced in the Greek means "confess in me," indicating a sense of unity with Christ and of Christ with the man who takes the open stand for him.
Shall deny me (αρνησητα με). Aorist subjunctive here with οστις, though future indicative ομολογησε above. Note accusative here (case of extension), saying "no" to Christ, complete breach. This is a solemn law, not a mere social breach, this cleavage by Christ of the man who repudiates him, public and final.
I came not to send peace, but a sword (ουκ ηλθον βαλειν ειρηνην, αλλα μαχαιραν). A bold and dramatic climax. The aorist infinitive means a sudden hurling of the sword where peace was expected. Christ does bring peace, not as the world gives, but it is not the force of compromise with evil, but of conquest over wrong, over Satan, the triumph of the cross. Meanwhile there will be inevitably division in families, in communities, in states.
It is no namby-pamby sentimentalism that Christ preaches, no peace at any price. The Cross is Christ's answer to the devil's offer of compromise in world dominion. For Christ the kingdom of God is virile righteousness, not mere emotionalism.
Set at variance (διχασα). Literally divide in two, διχα. Jesus uses Mic 7:1-6 to describe the rottenness of the age as Micah had done. Family ties and social ties cannot stand in the way of loyalty to Christ and righteous living. The daughter-in-law (νυμφην). Literally bride, the young wife who is possibly living with the mother-in-law. It is a tragedy to see a father or mother step between the child and Christ.
Doth not take his cross (ου λαμβανε τον σταυρον αυτου). The first mention of cross in Matthew. Criminals were crucified in Jerusalem. It was the custom for the condemned person to carry his own cross as Jesus did till Simon of Cyrene was impressed for that purpose. The Jews had become familiar with crucifixion since the days of Antiochus Epiphanes and one of the Maccabean rulers (Alexander Jannaeus) had crucified 800 Pharisees.
It is not certain whether Jesus was thinking of his own coming crucifixion when he used this figure, though possible, perhaps probable. The disciples would hardly think of that outcome unless some of them had remarkable insight.
Shall lose it (απολεσε αυτην). This paradox appears in four forms according to Allen (I) Mt 10:39 (2) Mr 8:35 ; Mt 16:25 ; Lu 9:24 (3) Lu 17:33 (4) Joh 12:25 . The Wisdom of Sirach (Hebrew text) in 51:26 has: "He that giveth his life findeth her (wisdom)." It is one of the profound sayings of Christ that he repeated many times. Plato ( Gorgias 512) has language somewhat similar though not so sharply put.
The article and aorist participles here (ο ευρων, ο απολεσας) are timeless in themselves just like ο δεχομενος in verses 40 and 41 .
In the name of a prophet (εις ονομα προφητου). "Because he is a prophet" (Moffatt). In an Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 37 (A. D. 49) we find ονοματ ελευθερου in virtue of being free-born. "He that receiveth a prophet from no ulterior motive, but simply qua prophet ( ut prophetam , Jer.) would receive a reward in the coming age equal to that of his guest" (McNeile). The use of εις here is to be noted.
In reality εις is simply εν with the same meaning. It is not proper to say that εις has always to be translated "into." Besides these examples of εις ονομα in verses 41 and 43 see Mt 12:41 εις το κηρυγμα Ιωνα (see Robertson's Grammar , p. 593). Unto one of these little ones (ενα των μικρων τουτων). Simple believers who are neither apostles, prophets, or particularly righteous, just "learners," "in the name of a disciple" (εις ονομα μαθητου).
Alford thinks that some children were present (cf. Mt 18:2-6 ).