Matthew 10 begins with Jesus calling His twelve disciples and giving them authority over unclean spirits and the ability to heal every kind of disease and affliction. Matthew lists the names of the twelve apostles, including Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus.
Jesus sends the twelve out specifically to the “lost sheep of Israel,” instructing them to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near, and to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons, doing so freely just as they had freely received such power. He instructs them to travel without excessive provisions, relying instead on the hospitality of those who receive them, and to bring peace to homes that welcome them, while withdrawing peacefully from those who reject their message.
Jesus then gives an extended discourse preparing His disciples for significant opposition. He warns that they will be like sheep among wolves, facing persecution from religious councils, governing authorities, and even family members because of their allegiance to Him. He instructs them to be wise and innocent in their conduct, trusting the Holy Spirit to give them the words to say when confronted by authorities. Jesus warns that following Him may cause division within families, as commitment to Christ takes precedence over even the closest human relationships.
Despite these warnings, Jesus reassures His disciples that they need not fear those who threaten physical harm, since God values them deeply, as seen in His care even for sparrows. He emphasizes that whoever acknowledges Him before others will be acknowledged before the Father in heaven, while those who deny Him will likewise be denied.
Jesus makes clear that following Him requires wholehearted commitment, stating that those who love family more than Him are not worthy of Him, and that true discipleship involves taking up one’s cross and being willing to lose one’s life for His sake in order to truly find life. He concludes by teaching that receiving His messengers is equivalent to receiving Him, and that even small acts of kindness done for His followers, such as giving a cup of cold water, will not go unrewarded.
Chapter 10
1 And he got together his twelve disciples and gave them the power of driving out unclean spirits, and of making well all sorts of disease and pain.
2 Now the names of the twelve are these: The first, Simon, who is named Peter, and Andrew, his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax-farmer; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who was false to him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and gave them orders, saying, Do not go among the Gentiles, or into any town of Samaria,
6 But go to the wandering sheep of the house of Israel,
7 And, on your way, say, The kingdom of heaven is near.
8 Make well those who are ill, give life to the dead, make lepers clean, send evil spirits out of men; freely it has been given to you, freely give.
9 Take no gold or silver or copper in your pockets;
10 Take no bag for your journey and do not take two coats or shoes or a stick: for the workman has a right to his food.
11 And into whatever town or small place you go, make search there for someone who is respected, and make his house your resting-place till you go away.
12 And when you go in, say, May peace be on this house.
13 And if the house is good enough, let your peace come on it: but if not, let your peace come back to you.
14 And whoever will not take you in, or give ear to your words, when you go out from that house or that town, put off its dust from your feet.
15 Truly I say to you, It will be better for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of God’s judging than for that town.
16 See, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Be then as wise as snakes, and as gentle as doves.
17 But be on the watch against men: for they will give you up to the Sanhedrins, and in their Synagogues they will give you blows;
18 And you will come before rulers and kings because of me, for a witness to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when you are given up into their hands, do not be troubled about what to say or how to say it: for in that hour what you are to say will be given to you;
20 Because it is not you who say the words, but the Spirit of your Father in you.
21 And brother will give up brother to death, and the father his child: and children will go against their fathers and mothers, and put them to death.
22 And you will be hated by all men because of my name: but he who is strong to the end will have salvation.
23 But when they are cruel to you in one town, go in flight to another: for truly, I say to you, You will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.
24 A disciple is not greater than his master, or a servant than his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he may be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have given the name Beelzebub to the master of the house, how much more to those of his house!
26 Have, then, no fear of them: because nothing is covered which will not come to light, or secret which will not be made clear.
27 What I say to you in the dark, say in the light: and what comes to your ear secretly, say publicly from the house-tops.
28 And have no fear of those who put to death the body, but are not able to put to death the soul. But have fear of him who has power to give soul and body to destruction in hell.
29 Are not sparrows two a farthing? and not one of them comes to an end without your Father:
37 He who has more love for his father or mother than for me is not good enough for me; he who has more love for son or daughter than for me is not good enough for me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and come after me is not good enough for me.
39 He who has the desire to keep his life will have it taken from him, and he who gives up his life because of me will have it given back to him.
40 He who gives honour to you gives honour to me; and he who gives honour to me gives honour to him who sent me.
41 He who gives honour to a prophet, in the name of a prophet, will be given a prophet’s reward; and he who gives honour to an upright man, in the name of an upright man, will be given an upright man’s reward.
42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will not go without his reward.
Important Verses
Matthew 10:8 “Freely you have received, freely give.” This verse emphasizes the generous and selfless nature of gospel ministry.
Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” This verse encourages believers to fear God rather than human opposition, trusting in eternal security.
Matthew 10:39 “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” This teaches the paradox of true discipleship, where surrender to Christ leads to genuine life.
