The Charge given to them when Jesus sent them out on a Mission
SUMMARY The Charge. To Whom Sent. How to Go. What to Preach. What to Do. How to Act If Received or Rejected. Persecution. Prudence Required. Trials to Be Met. Need Have No Care for a Defense. Fear Not Men, but God. The Father's Care. Not Peace, but a Sword. Loving Christ More Than Father or Mother. No Kind Act Lost. People’s New Testament
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town;
Mat 10:6 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.
Mat 10:7 And as you go, preach and say, 'The Kingdom of the Heavens is close at hand.'
Mat 10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out demons: you have received without payment, give without payment.
Mat 10:9 "Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your pockets;
Mat 10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food.
Mat 10:11 "Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man; and make his house your home till you leave the place.
Mat 10:12 When you enter the house, salute it;
Mat 10:13 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon it. If not, your peace shall return to you.
Mat 10:14 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to your Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the very dust from your feet.
Mat 10:15 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgement than for that town.
INTRODUCTION
Jesus chose the Twelve. He then gave them clear instructions as He sent them out on a preaching and healing Mission.
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| Jesus Instructing the Twelve |
They were to confine their Mission to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. They were expressly forbidden to go beyond Israel’s borders over even to the Samaritans. At a Later date they would receive the Great Commission to all the World Mark 16:15; and Matthew 28:19-20.
Matthew gives a detailed account of the Instructions for the journey.
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town;
Notes
It was the Twelve Disciples who were sent out this time. later there would be seventy sent on a mission. Jesus gave these twelve the Instructions.. Leon Morris says that the word instructing has
a military ring about it. it points to authoritative commands.
Firstly, they were commanded not to go on the road to the Gentiles, i.e. the Non Jewish nations which surrounded Israel. They were also forbidden to go to the Samaritans. These were mixed race people brought into the land during the time of the Captivity and were not counted as belonging to the ancient People of God. This was to be exclusively a Mission to the jews of Israel.
Cp.Acts 13:46 and Romans 1:16; 2:9-10
Mat 10:6 but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.
That is, to the Jews. He regarded them as wandering and lost, like sheep straying without a shepherd. They had been the chosen people of God; they had long looked for the Messiah; and it was proper that the gospel should be first offered to them.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is God's power which is at work for the salvation of everyone who believes--the Jew first, and then the Gentile.
Rom 1:17 For in the Good News a righteousness which comes from God is being revealed, depending on faith and tending to produce faith; as the Scripture has it, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
To the Jew First First in order of time, Not that the Gospel was any more adapted to Jews than to others; but to them had been committed the oracles of God; the Messiah had come through them; they had had the Law, the temple, and the service of God, and it was natural that the gospel should be proclaimed to them before it was to the Gentiles. This was the order in which the gospel was actually preached to the world, first to the Jews, and then to the Gentiles. Compare Acts 2 and Acts 10; Mat_10:6; Luk_24:49; Act_13:46, “It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Compare Mat_21:43 "That, I tell you, is the reason why the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will exhibit the power of it.
The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel
John Gill comments “and by "the lost sheep" of this house, are meant either all the people of the Jews in general, who were wandering, and were lost in error and sin, and to whom the external ministry of the Gospel came; or rather the elect of God among them, for whose sake particularly the apostles were sent unto them. These are called "sheep", because they were chosen of God, and given to Christ to be redeemed, looked up, sought out, and saved by him; and "lost" ones, not only because lost in Adam, and by their own transgressions, so that neither they themselves, nor any mere creature, could save them from eternal ruin and destruction; but also, because they were made to go astray, and were lost through the negligence and errors of their pastors, the Scribes and Pharisees:”
Mat 10:7 And as you go, preach and say, 'The Kingdom of the Heavens is close at hand.'
Notes
What they had to proclaim
go, preach and say, 'The Kingdom of the Heavens is close at hand.'
Notes
As they were travelling and traversing the country towns they were to preach.
The present Imperative makes this to be a continuous action. This message they were to proclaim was to be constant and continuing.
preach G2784 κηρύσσω kērussō Thayer Definition:
1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald
1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed
say, 'The Kingdom of the Heavens is near or close at hand.'
They were not expected to preach a variety of topics but that “The Kingdom of Heaven has drawn near.” This was the message of John the baptist Matt 3:2 and Jesus Himself in Matt:1
John the Baptist proclaimed “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has drawn near”.
The kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God seems to mean the same thing. It means the Rule rather than the Realm. The Authoritative Reign of God is close at hand.
God is actively intervening in the affairs of men. This is a Dynamic Expression. God is doing something that is new He is actively ruling. The Kingdom is something that happens rather than something that EXISTS. This is a new Expression not found in the Old Testament. It is all focused on the arrival of the KING, Jesus, and with Him the Kingdom. Leon Morris p.53
There is a future sense in Matt 25: 31; 34;and 26: 29
Mat 10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead to life, cleanse lepers, drive out demons: you have received without payment, give without payment.
Notes
MKJV Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. You have received freely, freely give.
Heal the sick,G2323 θεραπεύω therapeuō
Thayer Definition:
1) to serve, do service2) to heal, cure, restore to health
Mat 4:23 Then Jesus travelled through all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people.
Mat 4:24 Thus His fame spread through all Syria; and they brought all the sick to Him, the people who were suffering from various diseases and pains--demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He cured them.
Mat 4:25 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the other side of the Jordan.
Mat 8:16 In the evening many demoniacs were brought to Him, and with a word He expelled the demons; and He cured all the sick,
Mat 12:15 Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured.
Act 5:16 The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all.
JFBThe italicized clause - “raise the dead” - is wanting in many manuscripts).
Here we have the first communication of supernatural power by Christ Himself to His followers - thus anticipating the gifts of Pentecost. And right royally does He dispense it.
Mat 10:9 "Provide no gold, nor even silver nor copper to carry in your pockets;
Notes
Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass - This prohibition of gold, silver, and brass is designed to prevent their providing money for their journey.
Pieces of money of “small value” were made of brass.
In your purses - Literally, in your girdles (belts). See the notes at Mat_5:38-41. A “girdle” or “sash” was an indispensable part of the dress. This girdle was made “hollow,” and answered the purpose of a purse. It was convenient, easily borne, and safe. Barnes
So they were not to be dependant on what they could provided. It was not about their own resources but the Supernatural provision of God for their daily needs.
Mat 10:10 no bag for your journey, nor change of linen, nor shoes, nor stick; for the labourer deserves his food.
Notes Barnes Notes
No bag - That is, knapsack.
This was made of skin or coarse cloth, to carry provisions in. It was commonly hung around the neck.
Neither two coats - See the notes at Mat_5:40.
Neither shoes - The original is the word commonly rendered sandals. See the notes at Mat_3:11.
Mark says, in recording this discourse, “but be shod with sandals.” Between him and Matthew there is an apparent contradiction, but there is really no difference. According to Matthew, Jesus does not forbid their “wearing” the sandals which they probably had on, but only forbids their “supplying themselves with more,” or with “superfluous ones.” Instead of making provision for their feet when their “present” shoes were worn out, they were to trust to Providence to be supplied, and “go as they were.” The meaning of the two evangelists may be thus expressed: “Do not procure anything more for your journey than you have on. Go as you are, shod with sandals, without making any more preparation.”
Nor yet staves - In the margin, in all the ancient versions, and in the common Greek text, this is in the singular number - “nor yet” a staff. But Mark says that they might have a “staff:” “Jesus commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only.” To many this would appear to be a contradiction. Yet the “spirit” of the instruction, the main thing that the writers aim at, is the same. That was, that they were “to go just as they were, to trust to Providence, and not to spend any time in making preparation for their journey. Some of them, probably, when he addressed them, “had staves,” and some had not. To those who “had,” he did not say that they should throw them away, as the instructions he was giving them might seem to require, but he suffered them to take them (Mark). To those who had not, he said they should not spend time in procuring them (Matthew), but “they were all to go just as they were.”
The workman is worthy of his meat - This implies that they were to expect a proper supply for their needs from those who were benefited. They were not to make “bargain and sale” of the power of working miracles, but they were to expect competent support from preaching the gospel, and that not merely as a gift, but because they were “worthy” of it, and had a right to it.
Mat 10:11 "Whatever town or village you enter, inquire for some good man; and make his house your home till you leave the place.
Notes
Who in it is good or worthy - That is, who in it sustains such a character that he will be disposed to show you hospitality and to treat you kindly.
This shows that they were not needlessly to throw themselves in the way of insult.
And there abide - There remain; as Luke adds, “Go not from house to house.” They were to content themselves with one house; not to wander about in the manner of vagrants and mendicants; not to appear to be people of idleness and fond of change; not to seem dissatisfied with the hospitality of the people; but to show that they had regular, important business; that they valued their time;
Mat 10:12 When you enter the house, salute it;
Notes
Salut it
The modern Greek has λεγοντες· ειρηνη εις το σκηπρι τουτο. The Italian, by Matthew, of Erberg, and of Diodati, renders it thus: Pace sia a questa casa. Peace be to this house.
It is found also in Wickliff, and in my old MS. Seyinge, pees be to this hous. Some suppose it is an addition taken from Luke; but there is nearly as much reason to believe he took it from Matthew.
Peace, שלום, among the Hebrews, had a very extensive meaning: - it comprehended all blessings, spiritual and temporal. Hence that saying of the rabbins, גדול שלום שכל הברכות כלולות בו Gadal shalom, shecol haberacoth culoloth bo. Great is Peace, for all other blessings are comprehended in it.
Mat 10:13 and if the house deserves it, the peace you invoke shall come upon it. If not, your peace shall return to you.
Notes
If the house deserves it ; If the house be worthy - That is, if the “family” be worthy, or be willing to receive you as my disciples.
Let your peace come upon it - That is, let the peace or happiness which you seek or for which you pray in saluting it (see Luk_10:5), come upon it; or seek their peace and happiness by prayer, instruction, by remaining with them, and imparting to them the blessings of the gospel.
But if it be not worthy ... - If the family be unwilling to receive you; if they show themselves unfriendly to you and your message.
Let your peace return to you - This is a Hebrew mode of saying that your peace shall not come upon it, Psa_35:13. It is a mode of speaking derived from bestowing a gift. If people were willing to receive it, they derived the benefit from it; if not, then of course the present came back or remained in the hand of the giver. So Christ figuratively speaks of the peace which their labor would confer. If received kindly and hospitably by the people, they would confer on them most valuable blessings. If rejected and persecuted, the blessings which they sought for others would come upon themselves. they would reap the benefit of being cast out and persecuted for their Master’s sake, Mat_5:10.
Mat 10:14 And whoever refuses to receive you or even to listen to your Message, as you leave that house or town, shake off the very dust from your feet.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city — for possibly a whole town might not furnish one “worthy.”
shake off the dust of your feet — “for a testimony against them,” as Mark and Luke add (Mar_6:11; Luk_10:11). By this symbolical action they vividly shook themselves from all connection with such, and all responsibility for the guilt of rejecting them and their message. Such symbolical actions were common in ancient times, even among others than the Jews, as strikingly appears in Pilate (Mat_27:24). And even to this day it prevails in the East.
Mat 10:15 I solemnly tell you that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of Judgement than for that town.
Notes
It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom ... - The cities here mentioned, together with Admah and Zeboim, were destroyed by fire and brimstone on account of their great wickedness.
They occupied the place afterward covered by the Dead Sea, bounding Palestine on the southeast, Gen_19:24-25. Christ said that their punishment will be more “tolerable” - that is, more easily borne - than that of the people who reject his gospel. The reason is, that they were not favored with so much light and instruction. See Mat_11:23-24; Luk_12:47-48. Sodom and Gomorrah are often referred to as signal instances of divine vengeance, and as sure proofs that the wicked shall not go unpunished. See 2Pe_2:6; Jud_1:7.
| Above: ziggurat stands amidst ashen ruins in Gomorrah, with darker terrain in rear. Government sign with gate, attempting to keep vehicles out. |
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