Harvest and Workers, 9:35-38 (Mark 6:34).
[35] Jesus went about doing His work. His work was teaching, preaching, and healing (see Matthew 4:23). The gospel writers did not record everything Jesus did (John 20:30-31).
[36] Jesus wanted to help the people. There are many things in life to worry about: food, clothing, housing, sin, sickness, death, spirits, and many more. Not only did the people worry, but they were helpless. They had no power to deal with their problems. To be without a shepherd is to be without someone to care for you. Jesus helped them with their worries (Matthew 6:24-34) and used His power for them (Matthew 4:24; 9:2). He has power today for us (Ephesians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 13:4).
[37-38] Jesus changed from talking about sheep without a shepherd to talking about a grain harvest without workers. Jesus was again saying that there was much to do. He was getting ready to send out His disciples (Matthew 10:5ff.). Prayer was to be an important part of reaping the harvest. Prayer is always an important part of God’s work. He is the Lord of the harvest (1 Corinthians 3:9).
Matthew 10:1-6
10 1 Jesus called his twelve followers. He gave them the authority to throw out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: First there was Simon (called Peter) Andrew (Peter’s brother) James (the son of Zebedee) John (James’ brother) 3 Philip Bartholomew Thomas Matthew (the tax collector) James (the son of Alphaeus) Thaddaeus 4 Simon the Revolutionary Judas Iscariot (He turned against Jesus.) 5 Jesus sent out these twelve men with these orders: “Don’t go off into any non-Jewish area. Don’t go into any Samaritan town. 6 Instead, go to the lost sheep – the people of Israel.
Jesus Chooses Twelve Apostles, 10:1-4 (Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16).
[1] Before this time; Jesus had called several men to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9). He gave them the same authority over evil spirits and diseases as He had.
[2] Apostle means “one sent forth.” Here is the full list of the twelve men who were His apostles. “Apostle” becomes a name for each of these special followers (Acts 1:25-26; 2:42; 4:33; 5:12, 41). The one sent represents the one who sent him. In this sense, Jesus was an apostle (Hebrews 3:1). He represented the Father. The first four apostles were called in Matthew 4:18-22.
[3] Of the other apostles, only the call of Matthew (Matthew 9:9) and the call of Philip (John 1:43) were recorded. Philip was named with Bartholomew. Some think Bartholomew was the same as Nathanael, who was introduced to Jesus by Philip (John 1:45). Thomas was also known by the name Didymus (John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2). James, the son of Alphaeus, was not the brother of John (Matthew 10:2) nor the brother of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 12:17; 15:13; Galatians 2:9). Thaddaeus was the Judas, son of James, mentioned by Luke (Luke 6:16) and by John (John 14:22).
[4] Simon was a Zealot. Zealots were a fanatic group of Jews who wanted freedom from Rome. Judas was called Iscariot possibly to suggest that he came from the town of Kerioth. If so, he was the only apostle from Judea. He was always mentioned last. The fact that he betrayed Jesus may be the reason for this.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles, 10:5-15 (Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6).
[5-6] These instructions are only found in Matthew. They were to be concerned with Jews only (Matthew 15:24). Others sent out were not given this order (Luke 10:1-16). The apostles were sent to non-Jews (Gentiles) after the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20). Samaritans were descendants of Jews who married foreigners who were brought to Palestine by Assyrian kings (2 Kings 17:24). Jews hated the Samaritans for their mixed blood and untrue worship (see John 4:4ff.; Luke 10:25-37).
Matthew 10:7-15
7 As you are going, preach this: ‘The kingdom of heaven is very near!’ 8 Heal sick people. Raise people from death. Make lepers well. Throw out demons. You received freely; give freely. 9 Don’t take along any gold, silver, or copper in your money belts. 10 Don’t take a bag for the trip, an extra suit of clothes, shoes, or a walking cane. A worker should be given his pay. 11-13 When you enter a town or a village, find someone there who is worthy. When you go into his house, give your greeting to it. If the household is worthy, let your greeting of peace be upon it. Stay there until it is time to leave. However, if the household is not worthy, let your greeting of peace come back to you. 14 Whenever someone does not welcome you or listen to your words, go outside that town or house and shake the dust off your feet. 15 I am telling you the truth: On the Judgment Day, God will punish the people of that town more than He will punish the people of Sodom and Gomorrah!”
[7] The apostles were to preach the message of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) and Jesus (Matthew 4:17).
[8] They were to do the same works as Jesus had done along with their preaching. Jesus had already healed the sick (Matthew 9:35), raised the dead (Matthew 9:25), healed lepers (Matthew 8:3), and thrown out demons (Matthew 9:33). They were to make no charge for their teaching and work. In the early church, teaching was free (2 Corinthians 11:7), but the teachers also had the right to be taken care of (1 Corinthians 9:14). The servant of God should not take advantage of his work. He should not oppress the people he is sent to teach and help. Men are oppressed enough by Satan. Christian service should not be a burden to the ones blessed by the ministry.
[9-10] They had no need to take money for two reasons. First, God would meet their needs through the hospitality of others. Hospitality would also be a sign of acceptance of their message. The principle of hospitality was taught in the New Testament church (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). Second, the task was urgent. They had no time to waste making preparations.
[11-13] Staying with a good household would help their work. “Peace” was the customary greeting (Judges 19:20; 1 Samuel 25:6). They were to find the “harvest fields” (households) that were ripe for harvest (Matthew 9:37-38).
[14] Shaking the dust off their feet was a Jewish custom which showed rejection (Acts 13:51; 18:6).
[15] Sodom and Gomorrah were very wicked cities (Genesis 13:13; 19:24ff.; Jude 7). They are used in the New Testament as examples of punishment (Matthew 11:22-24; Luke 10:12; 17:29; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6). The people who heard the message of these apostles had a great opportunity. If they rejected the gospel message, their wickedness would be even greater (see Hebrews 2:3).
Matthew 10:16-31
16 “Listen! I am sending you like sheep into a pack of wolves. Be wise like snakes, yet as gentle as doves.” 17 “Watch out for people! They will betray you to the local courts. They will whip you in their synagogues. 18 Men will take you to be judged before governors and kings because you are associated with me. You can tell them and the nations of the world all of the things you have seen me do. 19 When they turn against you, don’t worry about what or how you will speak. At that time what you should say will be given to you. 20 You will not be doing the talking; it will be the Spirit of your heavenly Father who will be speaking through you.” 21 “A brother will hand over his own brother—to put him to death! A father will do the same thing to his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the person who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, quickly go to another town. I am telling you the truth: I will come before you finish working in the towns of Israel.” 24 “A student is not higher than the teacher. A servant is not higher than his master. 25 The student should be satisfied to become like his teacher. The servant should be satisfied to become like his master. Since they called the owner of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ they will call the members of the owner’s family by names which are even worse.” 26 “Don’t be afraid of people, because everything which is hidden will be found out and everything which is secret will be made known. 27 What I am telling you in the dark you must tell in the light. What you hear whispered you must announce from the top of the houses.” 28 “Don’t be afraid of people. People can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. Instead, you should fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Two sparrows are sold for only a small coin and yet, not one sparrow falls to the ground without your heavenly Father knowing it. 30 God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. 31 Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
Persecution, 10:16-26 (Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-17).
[16] Because there was opposition to Christ, Jesus’ followers had to be very careful. They had to have only the best desire to tell God’s Good News of the kingdom (be as “gentle as doves”). They also had to be very alert and wise “like snakes.”
[17-18] The local courts were called Sanhedrin. Several of the followers of Christ appeared before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (Acts 4:5ff.; 5:27ff.; 22:30; 23:1-10). A person could receive 39 stripes. Paul mentioned his beatings (2 Corinthians 11:24). Appearing before civil authorities, governors, and kings happened in the early church (Acts 12:6; 25:23; 2 Timothy 4:16).
[19-20] In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also taught about worry (Matthew 6:25). These were to trust the Holy Spirit to help them speak miraculously in the first century. Today, we have the complete Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude 3)
[21] Jesus told them to expect families to turn upon their own family members (see Micah 7:6). This also reflects the situation in Matthew 10:35-39. Following Christ will sometimes divide families.
[22] In the same way that men hated Jesus, they would also hate His followers. The apostles should expect no different treatment than Jesus received (John 15:18; Matthew 10:24). Christians were persecuted for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:14). The important thing was to endure these things. They were to suffer with patience (Romans 12:12; 1 Peter 2:20). “Enduring to the end” meant enduring to the “end of the evil time” or “to the end of life.”
[23] For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. We cannot know for sure what coming Jesus was referring to here. The likelihood that fits with New Testament historical events is His resurrection and Pentecost (see Mark 9:1).
[24-25] Jesus told them not to expect an easier time than He had. He was their teacher (Matthew 23:8) and their master (Matthew 23:10). They should not be disappointed if they receive the same treatment He received (John 15:18-19). Because they had seen Jesus’ power, they should not fear the power of men.
The One to Fear, 10:26-31 (Luke 12:2-7).
[26-27] Secret actions of men are known to God. He protects His people. Jesus told them three times in this section not to be afraid (verses 26, 28, 31). For freedom from fear, see Matthew 14:27.
[28] Jesus gave the apostles an important lesson. They were not to be afraid of people, even those who practiced secret magic. Those people do not please God (Revelation 21:8). They should fear God because He can destroy both body and soul in hell. For “hell,” see Matthew 5:22.
[29-31] God is aware of what happens to sparrows (very small birds). The apostles were more valuable than sparrows. He knew them very well. This message brought security to the apostles. Jesus was saying, “Do not fear people. Only fear God who can punish both body and soul in hell. But remember, God is on your side! So do not be afraid.” For “freedom from fear,” see Matthew 14:27.
Matthew 10:32-36
32 “If anyone confesses, in front of other people, that he believes in me, then I will speak for him in front of my Father in heaven. 33 But if anyone is ashamed of me in front of people, then I will be ashamed of him in front of my Father in heaven.” 34 “Don’t think that I came to give peace to the world. No, I came to make war. 35 I came to divide: ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, 36 a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. The enemies of a person might be the members of his own family.’ ” Micah 7:6
Confessing Christ, 10:32-33 (Luke 12:8-9).
[32-33] What a man believes about Christ must be spoken of and lived in front of others (Titus 1:16). Men cannot believe secretly. A man’s faith must be shown in his actions and in his life (James 2:14-26).
“Father in heaven” is a phrase found only in Matthew. The term is not found in the Old Testament. Denying Christ before men means that you do not believe in Him as the Son of God (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12).
Not Peace, But a Sword, 10:34-39 (Luke 12:51-53; 14:26-27).
[34-36] Jesus came to give peace (Luke 2:14). He was called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus’ peace was not the kind of this world (John 14:27; Colossians 1:20; Galatians 6:22). He knew what the result of His message would be. Families would be divided. The disciples must be strong.
Matthew 10:37-42
37 “The person who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. The person who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 The person who does not accept his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 The person who finds his life will lose it, but the person who gives his life away because of me will find it.” 40 “The person who welcomes you welcomes me. The person who is welcoming me is welcoming the One who sent me. 41 The person who welcomes a prophet as a true prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. A person who receives a good man as a truly good man will receive a good man’s reward. 42 If anyone gives one of these precious ones a drink of cold water because he is my follower, I tell you the truth, that person will certainly not lose his reward.”
[37-39] Jesus spoke here of loving Him more than loving one’s mother or father. Luke 14:26 uses “hate.” Hate means to “love less” (Genesis 29:31). Loyalty to Christ comes first, even before family loyalty. To accept a cross meant to accept responsibility from God and self-sacrifice. A disciple of Jesus will suffer willingly for the Christ (2 Corinthians 4:10ff.). The statement in verse thirty-nine is found in all four Gospels (Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 17:33; John 12:25). The word “life” can mean physical life and spiritual life. Both meanings are in this verse. If a man denies Christ to save his physical life, he will lose real life (spiritual life). If he loses his physical life through persecution, he will find real life (spiritual, eternal life). See Galatians 2:20.
A Prophet’s Reward, 10:40-42 (Mark 9:37, 41).
[40] If people received the one sent (the apostle; see verse 2), they were receiving the sender (Jesus). The same was true of Jesus and God (John 11:42ff.; 12:49; 13:20; 17:21-26).
[41-42] “Good man” and “prophet” are mentioned together in Matthew 13:17 and 23:29. There is a blessing that comes from helping those who are working for Christ. “Little / precious ones” probably means His followers. Any kind act will be rewarded (see Matthew 25:40), even giving a simple drink of water.
Matthew 11:1-6
11 1 When Jesus finished giving these orders to his twelve followers he left there to teach and to preach among their towns. 2 John was in prison. He heard about the things which the Messiah was doing. So he sent his followers to ask Jesus this question: 3 “Are you the one who is coming, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go tell John the things you see and hear. 5 The blind people can see again. Crippled people can walk. People with leprosy are made well. The deaf can hear. Dead people are given life. And the Good News is given to the poor people. 6 The person who is not ashamed of me is truly happy!”