Matthew 10:1-42

Matthew’s Good News

Matthew’s *Gospel

Hilda Bright

Chapter 10

Jesus chooses 12 men and sends them as his workers 10:1-4

v1 Jesus called his 12 *disciples to come to him. Then he gave them authority to force evil *spirits out of people. He gave them authority to heal every disease and illness.

v2 Here are the names of the 12 men that he sent. First are Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Next are Zebedee’s sons, James and his brother John. v3 Then there were Philip and Bartholomew. Also, there were Thomas and Matthew. Matthew collected taxes. Two more were James, who was Alphaeus’s son, and Thaddeus. v4 The last two were Simon whom they called the Eager Man, and Judas Iscariot. This Judas Iscariot later handed over Jesus to his enemies.

Verse 1 Jesus had many *disciples. He chose 12 of them as his special workers ‘to send out’ on his behalf. Another name for these *disciples that he sent out is ‘apostles’. He sent them out with his authority. It was better for these workers to go out in pairs. They told the good news about where God rules. And they showed that God did not want disease and illness. Long ago, Jacob had 12 sons and they began 12 *tribes. These 12 *tribes became the nation called Israel. Now 12 of Jesus’ *disciples were beginning new work for God.

Verses 2-4 The four men whose job was to catch fish are at the beginning of the list. Peter always comes first on the list. He, with his brother Andrew, and James with his brother John, had been *disciples of John the *Baptist first. Jesus wanted them to fish for people rather than for fish (Mark 1:16-20). Bartholomew is probably the same person as Nathanael (John 1:44-45). Philip and Nathanael came from Bethsaida. Thomas the *twin (John 11:16) is linked with Matthew, who collected taxes for the *Romans. Simon belonged to the group of *Jews who wanted to force the *Roman rulers out of their country. They were called ‘the Eager Men’. But Jesus could unite Matthew and Simon as they served him. James, Alphaeus’s son, has the same name in the three lists. But Thaddeus is probably Judas, James’s son, in Luke 6:16. And he is Judas, not Iscariot, in John 14:22. Judas Iscariot is always last on the list. Perhaps he was the only *disciple who did not come from Galilee district. Iscariot probably means ‘man from Kerioth’, and Kerioth was in Judea district. Jesus chose him to be an apostle (a special worker). But for some reason he stopped being loyal to Jesus. He was the man who handed Jesus over to his enemies.

We do not know much about most of these men that Jesus sent out as special workers. But it is the work that is important, not the workers. Paul had to explain this truth to the Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).

Jesus gives instructions to his 12 special workers 10:5-15

v5 So Jesus sent these 12 men. He gave them these orders. ‘Do not go among people who are not *Jews. Do not enter any town in the *Samaritans’ land. v6 Instead, go to Israel’s people. They are like sheep that have lost their way. v7 Go and tell them this message. “Heaven is near now. And that is where God rules.” v8 Heal the sick people. Cause dead people to be alive again. Heal those people with skin diseases so that they are clean again. Force evil *spirits to come out of people. You did not have to pay for all that you have received. So give to other people and do not make them pay. v9 Do not take any gold with you. Do not take any silver or copper in your belts. v10 Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or extra shoes. Do not take a stick. The people should give a worker what he needs.’

v11 Enter a town or village. Then look for someone who will provide for you. Stay at that person’s house until you leave that place. v12 Enter their house. Greet the people who live there. ‘We pray that the people in this house will be at peace’, you should say. v13 If that family welcomes you, you should let God answer your prayer for them. But perhaps that family will not welcome you. Then, do not ask God for peace for them. v14 Some people may not listen to your words. In that case, leave that home or town. And shake the dust off your feet when you leave. v15 I am telling you the truth. On judgement day, it will be easier for the people from Sodom and Gomorrah than for the people from that town.

Verse 5 This order meant that the *disciples would only work in Galilee district. This was a wise decision. They would be more successful because they worked in just a small area. Probably the 12 workers were not yet ready to tell the good news about Jesus to foreigners. Later, God sent Paul to the people who were not *Jews. He had experience of them in the city of Tarsus where he had lived. Jesus did not give this order as a permanent order. Jesus gave his final order to his *disciples in Matthew 28:19-20. Then he told them to go everywhere in the world.

Verses 6-7 The special workers had to tell the good news to the *Jews. The *Jews could come into God’s rule. The king had arrived now. This king was Jesus and they could follow him. They would no longer be like sheep that have lost their way.

Verse 8 The *disciples had to do the same work as Jesus did (9:35). They had to heal people’s bodies and minds. They had to look after the whole person. A *Jewish teacher (called a ‘rabbi’) had to teach his *disciples but he could not charge them money. The *disciples did not have to pay Jesus when he taught them. So now, they had to go and teach other people. They had to teach what they had learned from Jesus.

Verses 9-10 Jesus said that they should not take any money with them. They should not take extra supplies. They had to trust God to provide for them. They could expect someone to be ready to help them. People usually provided food and shelter for a teacher. They considered that this was an honour. Paul too said that a worker deserves his pay. (See 1 Corinthians 9:14.)

Verses 11-13 The workers had to find someone who welcomed them. They had to stay in the same home all the time that they stayed in that place. They could not look for somewhere more comfortable. They could not look for someone who gave them better food. They had to ask for God’s peace on that home.

Verse 14 They were taking their message to *Jews. The *Jews were expecting God to do good things to them. If nobody welcomed the good news about Jesus, the *disciples were not responsible for those people. They showed this when they shook the dust off their feet. This was a *Jewish custom. The *Jews did this when they returned home from another country. Anything that the *Jews touched among foreigners made the *Jews ‘dirty’. So they shook off those things before they went into their home.

Verse 15 People knew that Sodom and Gomorrah had been two very wicked cities. The people there behaved very badly with Lot’s guests (Genesis 19:1-11). They had refused to accept the men with God’s message. So God destroyed them. But the people in Sodom and Gomorrah had no opportunity to refuse the message about Christ. The people in Galilee’s towns and villages now had that opportunity. So their punishment would be more severe.

Jesus warns his workers that people will oppose them 10:16-25

v16 ‘I am sending you out like sheep among fierce wild animals. So you must be wise like snakes, but you must also be like gentle birds. v17 Watch out! Men will hand you over to the local courts. They will whip you in their synagogues (buildings where *Jews meet). v18 They will take you to stand in front of rulers and kings because of me. You will be witnesses to them. You will also tell foreigners all about me. v19 When they arrest you, do not be afraid. Do not worry about what to say to them. Do not worry about how to say it. At that time, you will receive the right words to say to them. v20 You will not speak by yourself. Your Father’s *Holy Spirit will help you.

v21 Brothers will hand over their own brothers for people to kill them. Fathers will hand over their own children. Children will oppose their parents, and they will even let people kill their parents. v22 Everyone will hate you because you are my friends. But God will save you if you believe me until the end. v23 When people attack you in one place, escape to another place. I am telling you the truth. You will not finish your work in all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

v24 A student is not more important than his teacher and a servant is not more important than his master. v25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher. And it is enough for a servant to be like his master. They call the head of the family Beelzebub, which is the devil’s name. So the rest of the family can expect the same bad names.’

Verse 16 Fierce wild animals called ‘wolves’ attacked sheep. Jesus was honest. He told his workers that people would oppose them. The *disciples must be wise as they told people the good news. They must be gentle with people. And they must live in a good and honest way.

Verse 17 Jesus’ words came true in the future. The *Jewish authorities opposed the *disciples. They had to answer these authorities about their message in the local courts. They could receive 39 blows from a whip in the buildings where the *Jews met. Paul himself said that the *Jews had punished him in this way five times (2 Corinthians 11:24).

Verse 18 The state would oppose them. At that time, the rulers were *Roman officials. *Jewish kings like Herod Agrippa tried to please both the *Jewish authorities and the *Romans. So they attacked and opposed the Christians. Herod Agrippa ordered his men to kill Zebedee’s son, James. He also put Peter in prison (Acts 12:1-4).

Verses 19-20 Jesus said that the *disciples should not worry. People might arrest them because they were Christians. But the *Holy Spirit would give them the right words to say at such times. The men in the *Jewish *religious government were astonished at the way that Peter and John were able to speak to them (Acts 4:13).

Verses 21-22 Even the *disciples’ own family members might oppose them. The writer Tacitus was not a Christian, but he wrote books about Christians. He thought that they were ‘a group of people that behaved wickedly. People hated them’. He also said that Christians ‘hated all people’.

Christians considered that slaves were real people. They called slaves ‘brothers’ if they were Christians. The *Roman authorities thought that this was dangerous to their rule. The *Romans considered that slaves were just ‘things’. They bought and sold them. The Christians also upset people who made money from their religion. In Ephesus, there were people who made false gods from silver. They lost their trade when Paul told the good news about Jesus to the people there. People believed the message and God changed their lives (Acts 19:24-27).

Verse 23 *Disciples should be wise enough to escape from danger. They should not die if it is not necessary. After Stephen died, many Christians left Jerusalem. They went to safer places. And the result was that the good news about Jesus spread further (Acts 8:1-4). Paul and Barnabas also left places where they were in danger (Acts 14:5-7). It is plain that Jesus means himself when he says ‘Son of Man’. But the phrase: ‘before the Son of Man comes’ is not very clear. So people have explained these words in several different ways:

Idea 1. The *disciples were going ahead of Jesus to other places. He would follow later. This idea agrees with Luke 10:1. He says that Jesus sent *disciples ‘to every town and place where he would go later.’

Idea 2. Jesus was talking about after his death and when he would be alive again. Then he would return to help the *disciples. They would tell the good news about him in all the cities of Israel.

Idea 3. Perhaps he was referring to the future time when he will return to this earth. His *disciples did not finish their work before the *Romans attacked Jerusalem in *AD 70. In Matthew 24:15-30, Matthew records what Jesus said about this event. He connects it with what some of God’s servants had told the people long before. They told them about the time when Christ will return.

Verses 24-25 *Disciples would suffer in the same way as their teacher and master. The *Pharisees had accused Jesus. They said that he worked with Beelzebub, the chief evil *spirit. That means the devil or Satan (9:34). So people would insult the *disciples too. ‘Beelzebub’ means ‘the flies’ master’. *Jews had probably changed the name from ‘Beelzebul’, which means ‘the master of the house’. This was the name of a false god in the *Old Testament (2 Kings 1:1-6). Now it was another name for the chief evil *spirit.

Jesus encourages the *disciples 10:26-33

v26 ‘Do not be afraid of anyone. There are secrets now, but later everyone will know them. People cannot understand everything now, but later all things will become clear. v27 I tell you things in the dark, but you must speak them in the daylight. When someone whispers something in your ear, shout loudly about it. Then everyone will hear those words. v28 Do not be afraid of the people who can kill your body. They cannot kill the person that you are inside. God is able to destroy both your body and the person that you are inside in hell. You should only be afraid of him. v29 People sell two little birds for only a penny. But your Father knows when each one of those birds falls to the ground. v30 He even counts every hair on your head. v31 So do not be afraid. You are worth more than many little birds.

v32 Someone may say in public that he knows me. I will also say to my Father in heaven that I know that person. v33 But someone else may say in public that he does not know me. Then I will say to my Father in heaven that I do not know that person.’

Jesus gave four reasons why true *disciples should not be afraid of anyone:

Reason 1. Verses 26-27. If the *disciples’ words and actions are right, later God will show that they are right. God will be the judge. He will recognise the people who have told lies about Christians. Nobody will be able to hide his true character. God will praise the Christians, so they can look forward to that time.

They must listen carefully to what Jesus teaches in private. Then they must be bold as they teach other people in public.

Reason 2. Verse 28. People can kill someone’s body. But they cannot damage the person that he or she is inside. We call the part of a person that lives for ever a ‘soul’. However, God can destroy both. God is very, very special, so people should respect him. They should give him honour. Then they will not be afraid of other people.

Reason 3. Verses 29-31. God is the Father who cares about everything that he has made. The little birds were called ‘sparrows’. They were very cheap. Poor people would buy them to eat. Luke 12:6 says that people could buy five birds for two pennies. ‘Falls to the ground’ probably means ‘dies’. But it could also mean that a sparrow lands and jumps along the ground. God cares about these cheap and common little birds. Therefore, he certainly cares about people much more.

Reason 4. Verses 32-33. Some people are not ashamed of Jesus. They declare in public that they know him. And Jesus will say that he knows those people. But some people will feel ashamed in public, and Jesus warns those people. He will refuse to say that he knows them. There are several ways that a Christian may not declare his *faith. Sometimes a Christian may remain silent when he should speak about Jesus. Sometimes he may speak against Jesus. Sometimes a Christian may behave in the wrong way. Then other people will have wrong ideas about the *Lord that we claim to obey.

Jesus tells them that trouble will come to families 10:34-39

v34 ‘Do not think that there will be peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace. I came to bring trouble.

v35 Because I have come,

Sons will turn against their fathers.

Daughters will refuse to obey their mothers.

Daughters-in-law will fight against their mothers-in law.

v36 A person’s enemies will be the members of his own family.

v37 Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not fit to be my *disciple. And anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not fit to be my *disciple. v38 Anyone who does not pick up their *cross and follow me is not fit to be my *disciple. v39 If anyone tries to save their own life, they will lose it. If anyone loses their life for me, they will gain it again.’

Verse 34 Jesus came to give people peace with God. And he wanted them to have peace with each other. Some people accepted him, and he changed their lives. Other people opposed him and this caused trouble. This trouble divides some families. Family members do not always have the same attitude to Christ’s message.

Verses 35-37 Jesus taught that husbands and wives should be loyal to each other (Matthew 5:31-32). He taught that children should look after their parents (Matthew 15:3-6). But people should be loyal to Christ first. Sometimes this may cause fights in a family. In verses 35-36, Jesus used words that God’s servant Micah wrote long ago (Micah 7:6). Jesus himself knew what it was like to have his own family against him. They thought that he was mad (Mark 3:21). Also, his brothers tried to force him to make the wrong decision (John 7:1-5).

Verse 38 Everyone would have seen people who were carrying wooden *crosses. They were going to their deaths. When the *Roman authorities said that someone must die, they often fixed him to a wooden *cross with nails. The person had to carry his own *cross beam to the place where they killed him on it. Judas from Galilee attacked the *Romans in the year *AD 6. So the *Roman captain killed 2000 *Jews on *crosses in Galilee. This shows us what Jesus means here. ‘Pick up their *cross’ means that people must be prepared for hard times. They may not die on an actual *cross, but they must give up their own wishes and ideas. Instead, they must do what Christ wants them to do.

Verse 39 A person may live in a selfish way. Then their life will not have any real meaning or value. The way to a happy life is to serve God whether it is difficult to live like that or not. Then we will serve other people because that is what God wants.

The reward for people who welcome Christ’s workers 10:40-42

v40 ‘Anyone who says, ‘Welcome!’ to you, is saying ‘Welcome!’ to me. At the same time, that person is saying ‘Welcome!’ to him who sent me. v41 Someone may say ‘Welcome!’ to God’s servant because he is God’s servant. That person will receive the same reward as God’s servant receives. Or someone may say ‘Welcome!’ to a good man because he is a good man. That person will receive the same reward as the good man receives. v42 Someone may give just a cup of cold water to one of these little people because they are my *disciples. That person will certainly gain their reward.’

Verse 40 Jesus said that God had sent him into the world. Therefore, anyone who says ‘Welcome!’ to Jesus is saying ‘Welcome!’ to God at the same time.

Verse 41 God’s servant speaks God’s message. The good man shows what God’s message is by his example. People who say ‘Welcome!’ to one of God’s servants will receive the same reward as God’s servant receives. In the same way, God will reward the good man and the person who says ‘Welcome!’ to him.

Verse 42 ‘Little people’ can mean young children. It can also mean people who have believed Jesus for only a short time. Or it can mean humble people. Here it refers to the *disciples that Jesus is sending out. A person will receive a reward from God if he gives even a very little help to one of those *disciples. The best reward will come from God. He will say, ‘Well done. You are a good and loyal servant’ (Matthew 25:21).

In the next section, Matthew 11:1–12:50, Matthew shows how some people said ‘Welcome!’ to Jesus. They were glad to see him. But other people refused to accept him. The *religious leaders especially began to oppose him.

gospel ~ 1. good news; 2. one of the first four books in the New Testament.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus.
disciples ~ those who follow another person to learn from him.
spirit ~ the part of us that lives when our body dies; a being that is alive, even without a body; the part of a person that will always be alive, even after their body is dead. There are good spirits, like God’s Spirit and his angels. And there are bad spirits, like Satan and his angels.
being ~ a person or animal that is alive.
angels ~ God's special messengers.
Satan ~ the chief evil spirit.
messenger ~ a person who gives a message.
tribe ~ the whole family of one of Jacob’s 12 sons; a family from the same father.
Baptist ~ someone who baptises people.
baptise ~ to put a person under water or put water on a person to show that they want to follow Christ.
twin ~ someone born about the same time as a brother or sister; one of two children born together, of the same mother.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at that time. That which belonged to Rome was Roman.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
Samaritan ~ a person from Samaria.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
holy ~ all good with no bad in it; separate from sin.
sin ~ when we do not obey God's commands.
religious ~ something that people do as part of the worship of God.
worship ~ show honour to God, usually with other people.
disciples ~ those who follow another person to learn from him.
AD ~ after the date when Jesus was born.
Pharisee ~ one of a group of Jews who thought that they obeyed all God’s rules. They did not like the things that Jesus taught. They thought that they did not do any wrong things. So, they thought that they were very important and clever.
Jew ~ a person who is from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; a person who believes the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.

'Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible, which the writers wrote before the life of Jesus.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; things that people believe about Jesus.
Lord ~ master; a name that we call God or Jesus; we call God or Jesus Lord when we obey them.
cross ~ two pieces of wood that someone has fixed together in the shape of a cross.