Matthew 10

Summary. In Chapter 10, the Lord Jesus gives authority to eleven of His apostles by His Word to cast out demons and heal every disease and affliction. It is important to note that the betrayer, Judas, cannot have authority and join the kingdom. He just went along with the other apostles, but he had no authority of his own due to his lack of faith. After the apostles’ era, the Lord Jesus no longer gives anyone that kind of authority. A new era of gifts and mercy begins when miracles are done only through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. After the Lord gives authority to the disciples, He teaches them. His teachings cover four main themes. Within His teachings, some verses can be applied only to the apostles, some to the apostles and all that take their wages from tithes to the Lord, and others to all true believers. 1) Instructions for service (verses 5 to 14). The apostles were to proclaim the Lord Jesus to the house of Israel only. However, when the soldiers of the governor put the crown of thorns on the Lord Jesus’ head, they proclaimed Him king of the entire world. He is no longer the God of the Jews only. Then, when the Lord Jesus was crucified, His blood was shed for the whole world. After the crucifixion, our duty as believers is to tell everybody that the Lord Jesus is God and He is the only way to salvation for Jews and Gentiles. When we receive the Lord Jesus as our Lord, the heavens come to us, and we must extend our hand and tell others about Him. 2) Be ready; tribulations will come (verses 16 to 26 and 34 to 36). The Lord warns us to beware of evil men. They will mock and persecute true Christians, but we should not fear those who fight against God. The truth about the Lord Jesus cannot die and cannot be hidden. Believe by heart, not by mouth. During the first coming of the Lord Jesus on earth, the Jews united themselves against Him. They crucified Him and persecuted the disciples, and before the second coming of the Lord, the entire world will be united against the Lord Jesus, and great persecution will come upon the true Christians. 3) What does it mean to be a disciple (verses 26 to 33 and 37 to 39)? First, we must acknowledge the Lord Jesus as our God and Savior and fear the Father who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Then, we need to carry our own beliefs, follow the Word, and stand firm on our belief that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and He is the only way to heaven. Ultimately, we cannot forsake the Lord Jesus for the sake of our loved ones or for fear of men and life’s trials. 4) Spiritual rewards. The two main rules for following the Lord Jesus are to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. If we apply these in our daily lives, we will store treasures in heaven.

[1] And He called His twelve disciples, He gave to them authority over unclean spirits, so as to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

Comments Matthew 10:1 The disciples walked with the Lord Jesus and saw many miracles the Lord had done in front of them. Having authority and power will only work for them if they have enough faith; they can be misled into using the authority in the wrong way. But, by this time, their faith grew. The Lord Jesus knew the disciples who they were. He gave them the authority by His Word.

[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Comments Matthew 10:2 Peter, the Bible tells us that his name means stone (See Matthew 16:18 and John 1:42).

[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

[4] Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Comments Matthew 10:4 The betrayer cannot have authority because he did not have faith in the Lord Jesus. The Lord had mercy on him and sent him with the disciples, but he is not alone. He is different, but he doesn’t think about why. He lives in darkness and has chosen his way to walk in the darkness.

[5] These twelve Jesus sent out, having ordered them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and enter not into a city of the Samaritans;

Comments Matthew 10:5 Verses 5 to 6 must only be applied to the apostles for that particular situation. Before the Lord Jesus was crucified, He came to minister to the house of Israel only (See Matthew 15:24 and Acts 3:25-26). When the Lord Jesus was crucified, His blood was shed for the whole world. By the Lord Jesus' blood, the love and mercy of God are extended to the entire world.

[6] however, go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Comments Matthew 10:6 The Jews are the ones who have the duty first to spread the Word of God. When the Jews talk to one non-Jewish person, that person has the duty to tell the Word further and further.

[7] Also going on, proclaim, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.

Comments Matthew 10:7 When you receive Jesus as your Lord, then the heaven comes to you. Extend your hand and tell others about Jesus. You share the heaven with them when you share the Word. (Note: verses 7 to 10 can be applied to the apostles and all that take wages from tithes to the Lord.)

[8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give.

Comments Matthew 10:8 The Lord Jesus gave authority to the disciples, except the betrayer. The apostles were special. They had authority up to the point of calling fire from heaven, punishing someone, healing by shadow and cloth touching. This kind of authority and power ended with the Apostles’ era. After the Apostles’ era, the Lord Jesus no longer gives anyone that kind of authority. A new era of gifts and mercy has started where miracles are done only through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is a difference between authority and gifts. By authority, the apostles could command (See Acts 5:1-11); by the gifts, the power belongs to the Holy Spirit, and the miracles are performed by praying and asking. If your heart is open, you can receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In these days, many have gifts from the Holy Spirit, but some are using them in the wrong way. Watch out for those who use the Lord Jesus’ name to benefit themselves, and do not let self-proclaimed apostles come and confuse you. Only the Lord Jesus has the power to appoint an apostle.

[9] Acquire neither gold, nor silver, nor bronze in your belts,

[10] nor leather pouch for the way, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor staff; for the laborer is worthy of his nourishment.

Comments Matthew 10:9-10 These verses apply to all those who take wages from tithes to the Lord. The Lord tells you to take your mind off of the things of this world. If you commit yourself to serving the Lord, do it without worry. Luxurious living takes your mind away from relying on the Lord. The Lord will provide enough for your daily living. Do not try to prepare for yourself more than how much you need.

[11] Now into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there stay until you go out.

Comments Matthew 10:11 Note that verses 11 to 14 can be applied to all true believers.
“Worthy” refers to the ones that are worthy in the eyes of the Lord (in the heart, not necessarily in wealth). In those times, the worthy ones were the ones who helped the poor without expecting anything in return. Nowadays, we help through the church and charity organizations, which is the right way as well.

[12] And entering into the house, greet it.

Comments Matthew 10:12 When the verse says greet, it also means bless as well. Therefore, pray for that house for the Lord to come upon it. If they accept the Lord, the Lord will also accept them and stay there with them.

[13] And if indeed the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; however, if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

[14] And whoever may not accept you, nor hear your words, going out of the house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Comments Matthew 10:14 If they do not accept the Lord, when you leave, do not think of them anymore. If they reject the Lord, they reject you as well; cut them off from your mind, and no guilt is on you.

[15] Truly I say to you, It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.

Comments Matthew 10:15 “... it will be more tolerable ...”; Think here of the word unbearable (intolerable) and imagine being punished in an unbearable way for eternity, not just for a moment.
“The day of judgment” refers to the end time judgment day when no more repentance is left over. The Lord has given all the chances possible for humans to repent when they are on this earth; this is the only place where we can repent.

[16] Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; be you therefore practically wise as serpents, and pure as doves.

Comments Matthew 10:16 The “sheep” trust the shepherd to walk without fear. Thus, you walk with the Lord, have no fear, and just trust in the Lord.
“Wolves” means the world.
“Serpents,” when they hear a sound, the first thing they do, they run. In the same way, when you feel something is not right, there is no need for you to experience it; just avoid it. You do not need to get into a trap.
Be gentle and innocent as a “dove.” Trust in the Lord as a baby.

[17] But beware of people, for they will deliver you up to Sanhedrims, and in their synagogues, they will flog you;

Comments Matthew 10:17 These days, where we are, we might not face persecution as it is written in this verse; we may only be rejected. People just reject us and treat us like a disease. In the past, the believers died for the name of the Lord Jesus. These days, it is hard for us to take just the embarrassment for the name of the Lord Jesus; this is called faith at the surface or cold faith.

[18] and before leaders also, and kings you will be brought on account of Me, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

[19] Then when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what you should speak; for it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak.

Comments Matthew 10:18-19 These verses talk about facing confrontation, and they apply to the past, present, and future. If someone confronts you about your faith, the first thing you should do is to call the name of the Lord Jesus in your heart, and the words will come to your mouth; the job belongs to the Lord.

[20] For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks through you.

[21] And brother will deliver up brother to death, and father child; and children will rise up against parents and will put them to death.

[22] And you will be hated by all on account of My name; however, the one that endures to the end, this will be saved.

[23] Then whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the other; for truly I say to you, You may not have completed the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes.

Comments Matthew 10:16-23 In verse 15, the Lord talks about the Day of Judgment. Then in verses 16 to 25 He talks about the persecution that will come. The Christians will always suffer some kind of persecution, but these verses will be fulfilled in their fullness during a period of time before the tribulation time, prior to the second coming of the Lord Jesus. Before the second coming of the Lord, there will be a movement of faith started in Israel first. This paragraph applies in its fullness to a group of chosen ones from all over the world during this pre-tribulation period.

[24] A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master;

Comments Matthew 10:24 In this verse, “disciple” applies to the believer, “teacher” to the Lord Jesus, “servant” to the Lord Jesus, and “master” to the Father. In the Bible, we could notice that sometimes the Lord Jesus calls Himself a servant of the Father.

[25] sufficient for the disciple that he becomes as his teacher, and the servant as his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his household!

Comments Matthew 10:25 In this verse, “of his household” refers to the believers.

[26] Therefore, you should not fear them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed; and hidden, that will not be known.

Comments Matthew 10:26 You should not fear those who speak against God, those who try to find proof against His birth and resurrection. Believe by your heart, not by your mind.
“for nothing is covered … and hidden …” There have been talks against the Lord Jesus from the beginning, and people have spread the word of lies. However, the truth about the Lord Jesus, that He is the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary, crucified and died for our sins, and that He rose again on the third day in the body, cannot be hidden. The world will see the Lord Jesus again, and they will know the truth when He comes to judge the world.

[27] That which I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and that which you hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

Comments Matthew 10:27 This verse mainly refers to the understanding of the Word when you read or hear it. The Lord speaks in the heart, not in the thought of reason. The first thought that comes into your heart, not the thought that you are thinking, bring that thought forth.

[28] And you should not be afraid of those killing the body, but are not able to kill the soul; however, rather fear Him being able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Comments Matthew 10:28 “Those killing the body” refers to the ones who are against those who believe in the Lord Jesus. There are many like these around us, and many come among us. Be aware of those who are among you and pretend to be like you, but they are not. Those are the real enemies of the true Christians; watch out for them; some are leaders in the churches.
“fear Him ... and body in hell.” The Three in One is the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. All have the power to destroy the soul, but only the Father has the authority to command to have the soul destroyed.

[29] Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And not one of them will fall on the ground apart from your Father;

Comments Matthew 10:29 The Father cares for the sparrows. We are the children of His Son; therefore, how much more will the Father care for us?

[30] but even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Comments Matthew 10:30 Every word we speak, and all our deeds are written in the Judgment Book. We are responsible for what we say and do. The judgment to come will be clear, and no one can say that the judgment is not fair.

[31] Therefore, fear not; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Comments Matthew 10:31 Do not deny the Lord Jesus, and do not be afraid to testify about the Lord Jesus in front of people. Only the Lord Jesus can bring us to the Father. Your soul is more important than the body.

[32] Therefore, everyone who will confess Me before people, in him I will also confess before My Father who is in the heavens.

[33] But whoever shall deny Me before people, him I will also deny before My Father who is in the heavens.

[34] Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

[35] For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,

[36] and the man’s enemies are those of his household.

Comments Matthew 10:32-36 These verses are yet to be fulfilled in a future time to come. We believe these events will happen in their fullness in a time prior to the tribulation period and during the tribulation period (See the Book of Revelation). People will try to make god on earth. You will hear about it, god on earth that can save you. And they will call people to join them to save the world; do not follow them, for they cannot save you; these are false christs. They will change something in the Bible, such that all the Bibles that come out are not the true Bible anymore. You will not find a true Bible; it will be outlawed. This time will be a time of a false god, a false christ, and a false word. They will use the human fear of people to make them abandon their true Bible. They will make people believe there is a mistake in the Bible, and people will give up their own true Bible and join them. Don’t try to save your life for the sake of this world. You think you can do it, but when this time comes, not many will be able to keep the truth.

[37] The one loving father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one loving son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Comments Matthew 10:37 If you have someone that you love, your own child, or your own family member who falls into this dark trap (See Comments Matthew 10:32-36 above) and wants to get you in, go back to the Lord Jesus’ Word and think about it. Do not fall for that dark trap. Remember that you have a true family in heaven!

[38] And whoever does not take his cross and follows after Me, is not worthy of Me.

Comments Matthew 10:38 Carry your own belief, not the belief that someone wants you to have. You have the true Word; it is your life; follow the Word.

[39] The one having found his life will lose it; and the one having lost his life on account of Me will find it.

Comments Matthew 10:39 People will try to get rid of the true Word. They will change something in the Bible, and all the Bibles that will come out will not be true Bibles. Watch out; they think they have good news to tell you; do not believe them. It is good news to them to take your soul. The only way to be saved is by following the Lord Jesus’ teaching, so read the Word and obey.
See also Comments Matthew 16:25 and Comments John 12:25.

[40] The one receiving you receives Me, and the one receiving Me receives the One that sent Me.

Comments Matthew 10:40 The verse shows a chain reaction. If you receive the one that comes in the name of the Lord Jesus, you receive the Lord Jesus. And if you receive the Lord Jesus, you receive the Father who sent Him.

[41] The one receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and the one receiving a righteous in the name of a righteous will receive the reward of a righteous.

Comments Matthew 10:41 If you receive someone claiming to be a prophet or a righteous person, and if you believe that the gift is from the Lord, you receive the One that gives him authority. Do not doubt; seek first the advice from the Holy Spirit through prayer, and He will guide you. Appreciate their work, but do not forget that everything must match with what the Bible states. The Bible must be your guide.

[42] And whoever may give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you he may not lose his reward.

Comments Matthew 10:42 This verse refers to those who believe in the Bible and believe what the Bible tells us about the Lord Jesus. They act not in the way of the world but in the Lord Jesus’ way. One of the main commandments of following the Lord Jesus is: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Little ones” refer here to believers in the Lord Jesus.
“Cold water” here refers to the Gospel. We always need to feed the Gospel among ourselves and others.
“Truly I say to you he may not lose his reward.” We, as Christians, need to show mercy and kindness to all who ask. Show mercy and kindness as the Lord shows mercy and kindness to everyone, and you will build up treasures in heaven.

Life and Faith Applications. 1) Acknowledge the Lord Jesus as our God and Savior, stand firm on our faith, follow the Word, and share the Lord Jesus with others. 2) Do not fear men; fear God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. 3) Beware of tribulations and persecutions from evil men coming our way in various forms. 4) Do good to people, show love, and share the Gospel with them, and we will receive our rewards in heaven.