Matthew 10:11-23

The apostles are to put up at the houses of the worthy, i.e. such as are ready to welcome them and their message. The house in Matthew 10:13 is perhaps best understood of that at which they make the inquiry; the peace or salutation is thought of as an objective blessing settling upon the worthy household, but otherwise returning to the speakers in full measure for future use. Or that city (Matthew 10:14) is the confusing addition of some copyist. So is Matthew 10:15, a doublet of Matthew 11:24 added here to harmonise with Luke 10:12. It is probable that Mt. orginally mentioned simply the house (JThS 11558). Matthew 10:16 is preliminary to Matthew 10:17, verses which belong properly to the late apocalyptic discourse (ch. 24), where Mt. summarises them. They reflect a much later Christian experience than the charge to the apostles, and there is nothing in the message and work of Matthew 10:7 f. to evoke persecution.

Matthew 10:16 b. Mt. only. The comparison with the serpent is limited to prudence; Jesus illustrated His injunction by His adroit replies to tricky and entrapping questions.

Matthew 10:18 anticipates mission work no longer restricted to Israel.

Matthew 10:19 b, by the way, is not addressed to clergy and ministers who regularly address Christian congregations.

Matthew 10:20. the Spirit of your Father is a unique expression; Jesus may have in mind Joel 2:28 f.

Matthew 10:22. The name stood for the person (cf. Acts 5:41; Acts 9:16; Acts 15:26; 3 John 1:7, and frequently in OT).

Matthew 10:22 b. to the end is sometimes taken with shall be saved (i.e. shall have deliverance and victory), in the sense of finally, but is better as it stands with endureth, meaning continually, or to the utmost extent of the persecution (cf. Revelation 2:10).

Matthew 10:23. This much-discussed verse is clearly no part of the charge to the Twelve, and no indication that Jesus expected the Parousia before the completion of their tour. It goes with the anachronistic Matthew 10:17, and Schweitzer (Messianitä ts-und Leidensgeheimnis, pp. 102ff., cf. pp. 15f.: Quest, p. 357) is off the mark. It is the community of Christians that is to flee during the portents that precede the end, and it is they who will not need to go beyond Palestine for refuge, because the Son of Man is at hand.