CONNECTION. The concluding verses of chap. 9, referring to a definite occasion, form a fit introduction to an account of the formal sending out of the Apostles. Matthew has already mentioned the first call of some of the Twelve. Mark and Luke tell how they had been chosen as a body some time before,... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:1. AND HE CALLED UNTO HIM HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES. There is here an indication that they had been previously chosen. They are now sent out as ‘laborers.' Henceforward they are ‘Apostles' (Matthew 10:2 _),_ with a definite mission; first to heal, as Christ did, by the AUTHORITY He gave them,... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:2. APOSTLES, those sent out; the name was given when they were chosen (Luke 6:13), but was strictly applicable only after the occurrence here mentioned. On its fuller meaning see Acts 1:2 ff. Matthew mentions the Twelve in pairs, and it is probable that they were thus joined when sent out... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:3. PHILIP, not the Evangelist. The first disciple called, a native of Bethsaida. The name is Greek. BARTHOLOMEW, _i.e.,_ the son of Thol-mai. He is probably identical with Nathanael (John 1:43), the friend of Philip, and is also supposed to have been a resident of Cana in Galilee. THO... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:4. SIMON THE CANANÆAN. Not ‘Canaanite.' If a local term at all, it means ‘an inhabitant of Cana'; but it is probably derived from the Hebrew, and is the same as ‘Zelotes' (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). The _Zealots_ were a sect of strict Jews, who afterwards became fierce fanatics. They were apt... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:5. THE WAY OF THE GENTILES would lead northward, they were to go toward Jerusalem, as we infer from the rest of the verse. GO YE NOT. This prohibition was removed after the resurrection (Acts 1:8). To have taken the way of the Gentiles at this time would have closed the way to the heart... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST PREACHING OF THE TWELVE. The locality from which the Twelve were sent out, and the length of their tour are unknown. But Galilee, where our Lord had Himself labored so long, was doubtless the scene of this first mission, which probably covered some time. The instruction given, though direc... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:6. LOST SHEEP (comp. Matthew 9:36). As most needy and most ready.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:7. AND AS YE GO PREACH, proclaim, announce. The matter of their preaching was the approach of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (comp. Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17). Their mission was preparatory; the gospel tells of a kingdom already come. As yet they were not instructed to proclaim the King, but were... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:8. According to the best authorities, RAISE THE DEAD should come before CLEANSE THE LEPERS. The Apostles did raise the dead after the resurrection of Christ, whether they availed themselves of this power on this journey is not stated. The power to do these things was delegated to them for... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:9. Although their labor was to be performed gratuitously and not for gain, they were not to make preparations for the journey, but to go without first providing a store of money: NO GOLD, NOR SILVER, NOR BRASS. ‘Brass,' not even the smaller copper coins. IN YOUR PURSES, _i.e.,_ girdles,... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:10. NO WALLET. They need provide neither money nor baggage. TWO COATS, two inner garments or tunics. NOR SHOES. This either means a second pair, or that they should wear their ordinary sandals without waiting to get a pair of walking shoes. The latter is preferable, since we should rea... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:11. AND INTO WHATSOEVER CITY OR TOWN, etc. Left to choose their own precise route, their work involved the exercise of judgment and prudence, it was not a mere mechanical routine. WHO IN IT (in the city or town) IS WORTHY. This refers either to hospitable or to pious character, probably... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:12. THE HOUSE. ‘The house' they might enter, whether it was the house of one really worthy was to be tested. But whether worthy or not they were to salute it. Conformity to proper social customs, without official pride, with an immediate and friendly recognition of the expected hospitalit... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:13. AND IF THE HOUSE BE WORTHY, _i.e._, of your stay. The worthiness of the house is dependent on the worthiness of its head. In its nature, whatever exceptions there may be, the family is to be regarded as a spiritual unit. LET YOUR PEACE COME UPON IT. The usual Eastern salutation mean... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:14. AND WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE YOU, as guests in the house. NOR HEAR YOUR WORDS, as teachers in a town. If refused in one house, they need not leave the town at once, although after inquiring for one ‘worthy,' such a refusal would probably precede a rejection in the place itself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:15. The solemn formula, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, introduces a prophetic denunciation of those who rejected them. THE LAND OF SODOM, etc., the inhabitants of those guilty and doomed cities. The higher the spiritual offer rejected, the greater the sin. Applicable then only to the Jews with... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:16. BEHOLD, as usual, marking a new thought. I SEND YOU FORTH. ‘I' emphatic; I who know what awaits you, send you into these trials, but as my ‘Apostles,' with my authority and promise and support. AS SHEEP IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES. Contrary to the order of nature, the meek and defencel... [ Continue Reading ]
Peculiar to Matthew, though some of the sayings occur in the other Gospels. As such trials and emergencies did not occur on this journey, some suppose this part of the discourse was uttered at a later period. But Matthew, himself an Apostle, would be most likely to give the whole discourse. The Twel... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:17. BUT BEWARE OF MEN, _i.e._, ‘wolves.' Men in general will be hostile and weak. To ‘beware' they must be ‘wise.' Not needless suspicion but prudent discernment. COUNCILS. The regular local courts, which tried for heresy. The sentence they pronounced was executed in the SYNAGOGUES. Lit... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:18. AND MOREOVER. An additional thought. Besides trials before Jewish spiritual tribunals, they should BE BROUGHT BEFORE GOVERNORS AND KINGS, before the civil tribunals as common criminals. All kinds of magistrates and rulers are meant. The civil power has often aided ecclesiastical perse... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:19. BUT. Here the simplicity of the dove is to be exercised. BE NOT ANXIOUS, _i.e.,_ do not be unduly concerned; comp. chap. Matthew 6:34. HOW OR WHAT, neither about the _form_ nor the _substance_. FOR IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU. A promise of special inspiration for particular emergencie... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:20. IT IS NOT YE, etc. Inspiration for their defence is an indirect proof of the inspiration of the apostolic writings, since the purpose of both is ‘testimony' (Matthew 10:18), and writing was a permanent, and hence the most important, testimony. The inspiration affects both _what_ is sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:21. AND. The heavenly ‘Father' aids; the human relatives may persecute. DELIVER UP. Become informers. The first prophecy of actual martyrdom. The idea of persecution in general is of course included. SHALL RISE UP. A strong word, implying first, rebellion against parental authority, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:22. AND YE SHALL BE HATED BY ALL. ‘All' other than believers, referred to in ‘ye.' This hatred toward Christ will spread over the world like an infectious fever or pestilence. FOR MY NAME'S SAKE. The Christianity of Christians, not their errors or personal faults, will call forth this h... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:23. THIS CITY THE NEXT. General expressions, though in particular form. FLEE YE. Here the wisdom of the serpent was to be exercised. Flight in persecution, from selfish regard to personal safety and comfort, is cowardice and sin; but flight from conscientious conviction of duty to God a... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:24. The same general statement, with a different application, is found in Luke 6:40; John 13:16. Here it means they cannot expect better treatment than He received, thus implying His sympathy. Notice the relation of Christ and His followers: ‘teacher' and ‘disciple'; ‘Lord' and ‘servant'... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:25. IF THEY HAVE CALLED; as they had already done (see chap. Matthew 9:34; comp. chap. Matthew 12:24). BEELZEBUB, more correctly ‘Beelzebul.' The former (‘lord of flies') was the name of a Philistine idol. ‘Beelzebul' means either, (1) ‘lord of dung,' the word being changed from Beelzebu... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:26. FEAR THEM NOT THEREFORE, because of the relation to Christ, who will certainly triumph. Another reason follows: FOR THERE IS NOTHING COVERED THAT SHALL NOT BE REVEALED. A proverbial statement, occurring with a different application in Luke 12:2; in a different connection, but with the... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:27. WHAT I TELL YOU IN THE DARKNESS, etc. A further incitement to boldness in preaching. Our Lord must first privately teach, so as to train His disciples; to them the duty of publishing the truth was committed. The verse probably alludes both to the extension of the gospel beyond the nar... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:28. AND BE NOT AFRAID OF THEM. Boldness and candor in speaking God's truth awaken deadly opposition. Such opposers, though they can kill the body, ARE NOT ABLE TO KILL THE SOUL. The word translated ‘soul' sometimes means ‘life,' and is sometimes contrasted with ‘spirit'; here where ‘body'... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:30. THE VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD. The most special providence, and the most absolute preservation. No part of our life, of what characterizes or adorns it, shall be lost. God, to be God, must know the very hairs of our head. The word ‘your' is emphatic, asserting a special care for Christ'... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:31. FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE. In Matthew 10:25 the motive was drawn from the relation to Christ, here from the relation to God: YE ARE OF MORE VALUE, _i.e._, in the sight of God, who is ‘your Father' (Matthew 10:29). ‘The humblest of God's creatures have their value in His sight: how much mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:32. EVERY ONE, without exception. THEREFORE points to the previous argument for fearing and trusting God. CONFESS ME, lit, ‘confess in me.' A peculiar mode of expression, meaning: ‘shall make me the object of his acknowledgment among and before men.' The idea of being ‘in Christ,' in... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:34. THINK NOT, as you naturally might. TO SEND (lit, ‘cast') PEACE ON THE EARTH. The immediate result (and purpose, too, since with God and Christ results are all purposes) was not peace, by external means. I CAME NOT TO SEND PEACE, BUT A SWORD. He was revealed ‘that He might destroy t... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:35. A quotation (or reminiscence) from Micah 7:6, which contains the same general thought of wars and sorrows ushering in the kingdom of peace. The sword shall enter into the family. The conversion of individual members to Christ will cause variance. Domestic peace, the highest earthly pe... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:37. He that loveth, etc. Not to love these less, but Christ more. Connection: Love to Christ may divide family ties, but is superior to family affection; because it is a love and devotion due only to a Divine being. This claim to supreme love, if made by others, would be extreme madness o... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:38. TAKETH NOT HIS CROSS, etc. We may supply in thought: as I shall carry my cross. The culprit bore his own cross to the place of crucifixion. The first allusion to the mode of the death, which must have startled the Apostles, even after what had been said.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:39. HE THAT FINDETH HIS LIFE, SHALL LOSE (or ‘destroy') IT, etc. ‘Life' is here used in two senses; otherwise the paradoxical statement would have no meaning at all. (Comp. chap. Matthew 16:25-26.) In both clauses it means, in the first instance, the outward, earthly life, with all its pl... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:40. H E THAT RECEIVETH YOU, RECEIVETH ME. The concluding verses convey one appropriate thought, similar to that of Matthew 10:24-25: Christ's disciples are identified with Him. Notwithstanding all the opposition and sundering of family ties, just set forth, Christ's people carry true peac... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:41. IN THE NAME OF A PROPHET, _i.e.,_ ‘because he is a prophet,' the original implying an inward impulse of love toward the object. The prophet may be unworthy, but the love and the regard arise from the relation to Christ implied in his office. A RIGHTEOUS man _i.e.,_ a Christian, one... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:42. ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES. Either the disciples, or children, who were present. The former is preferable. An allusion to their weakness in themselves as they went out on their mission. A CUP OF COLD WATER ONLY. The smallest kindness. IN THE NAME OF A DISCIPLE, ‘because he is a disc... [ Continue Reading ]