The Gospel According to
Matthew 10
42 verses≈ 7 min4 peopleBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
Tap any post to go deeper
In this chapter
The Twelve Apostles
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.
Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
The Twelve in pairs
Whiteboard
Matthew lists the Twelve in six pairs, perhaps the way they traveled. Fishermen, a tax collector and a Zealot walk side by side. Only one gets a job title, and Matthew gives it to himself.
The Ministry of the Twelve
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
Stylised map · locations approximate
Where it happened
To the lost sheep
For this first mission the Twelve stay among their own people. They are not to take the road into Gentile lands like the Decapolis or the region of Tyre, or enter Samaritan towns. They go to “the lost sheep of Israel.” The nations will come later.
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Freely you have received; freely give.
Question
Quick question
Jesus gave the Twelve a short packing list. Mostly it was a list of what to leave behind.
Which of these were the Twelve told not to take?
Sheep among Wolves
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
0:12
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
the one who perseveres to the end will be saved
Matthew 10:22
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
Reflect
Words given in that hour
Jesus did not promise the Twelve an easy road. He promised that “it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Where are you most afraid of having to speak about Jesus? What would it look like to trust Him for the words when that moment comes?
Fear God Alone
So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
you are worth more than many sparrows
Matthew 10:31
Confessing Christ
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:32–33
Not Peace but a Sword
Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to turn
‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
A man’s enemies will be the members
of his own household.’
A household divided
Whiteboard
Jesus borrows Micah’s picture of a home turned against itself. Following Him can divide the closest families. He does not ask His people to stop loving them; He asks to be loved first.
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
The Reward of Service
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
Pray
Freely give
Jesus told the Twelve, “Freely you have received; freely give.” He promised that even “a cup of cold water” given to one of His followers will not be forgotten. Thank Him for what you have freely received. Then ask Him to show you one small, ordinary way to give it away this week.
You’ve experienced
Matthew 10
0 of 28 chapters read
A verse to carry with you
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:32
or swipe left