Gospel of Matthew

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

CHAPTER 10 – The Commission

Verses 9:35-38 are again some that properly belong here with the start of chapter 10. This is based off of the parallel passages. Remember that the chapters separations are not part of the original manuscripts.

From Matthew Chapter 9 verses 35-38

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 1

Parallel Passages: Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

“Now that he had called” or “enlisted” a full complement of 12 disciples.  He will do the following:

1) He gave them power against unclean spirits to cast them out.

2) To heal all manner of sickness and all disease.

It is interesting that he mentions the power to cast unclean spirits out FIRST. Then followed by healing. From the previous chapter there seems to be some connection to many sicknesses and disease being put upon people by demonic forces.

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 2-4

Parallel Passages: Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

An accounting of who the twelve disciples were by name.

The “Commissioning” of the Twelve

They are now going to be given details on how to handle the tasks ahead, what they should expect and how to deal with it. Sounds like what we would refer to today as a “job description”. However, this one is being written by God himself.

First Thing: What Is the Job Description?

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 5-15

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:6-13; Luke 9:1-6

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

They were not to go to the Samaritans or Gentiles but to the House of Israel.  The “original” commission was to the Jews only.  The Jews came first. The time for taking the message to the Gentiles would come later.

They were to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils. They were not to worry about providing for their finances. They were not to worry about extra clothing.

Hospitality and courtesy should be provided to them wherever they go, if not, brush off the offense and go onward. For those that do not, judgment will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than that place.

Second Thing: What is the Job Environment

or Conditions of the Workplace?

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 16-23

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

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another

It would be difficult. They would suffer sever persecution.  They were to be wise and harmless. Not to worry about what to speak, the Spirit would provide the words.  Families would turn against one another for the Gospel sake.

PROPHECY REFERENCE TO ISRAEL

and THE SECOND COMING

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 23b

…for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

The first prophecy in Matthew regarding the END TIMES. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is referenced here.

All of Israel will not have been reached for Jesus BEFORE Jesus returns a SECOND TIME.

Now, back to the “commissioning”…

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 24-33

Parallel Passages: Luke 12:1-12

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

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

Humility. Discernment and revelation will come and be provided. Man can ONLY harm and threaten the body but Man cannot kill the soul and spirit. God is watching over everything and knows everything.  Whether Jesus is confessed or denied before man, the same will be for us when Jesus speaks of us before God.

THE GOSPEL IS OFFENDING

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 34-39

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

This portion of the passage is often ignored. In fact, it is not recorded in any of the other Gospels. These are some of the strongest and most significant verses of the Bible. True understanding of these words will put life as a follower into perspective.

Jesus makes statement that His intentions for coming was to bring a SWORD not PEACE. To set a man at variance against his father.  Daughter against mother. A man’s foes will be those of his own household.

The Gospel will be offending to many. It is not a message that is comfortable. It is words that WILL set people against one another. Those who do not want to heed it against those that follow it.

Disciples will have to sacrifice EVERYTHING including being willing to lose their lives. Does this sound like the message spoken in churches today?

Matthew Chapter 10 verses 40-41

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:6-13; Luke 9:1-6

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

Receiving and providing for the disciples is equal to receiving and providing for Jesus.  Even if it is as simple as a glass of water, the gift will be honored.

Matthew Chapter 10:42 and chapter 11:1

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:6-13; Luke 9:1-6

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

“little ones” It seems as though this is the only verse that is ever mentioned from this passage. When it is; it is used in reference to children.

Why believe that Jesus is suddenly making a statement about children.  Why is it taken out of context and out of the passage it is being stated in? It is stated during His commissioning of the disciples and IS part of the verses in front of it (40-41).  He is talking about the responsibility of providing for every level of need of those ministering the Gospel.