Matthew 10: Jesus Sent Out The Twelve
Matthew 10: Jesus Sent Out The Twelve
Collin Leong. April 3, 2025
v1-14: Sending The First Harvest Workers
(v1-4) Following His last message in Matthew 9, where harvest workers are few, Jesus is now sending out His twelve disciples out as missionaries. Before they go, Jesus gave the authority to drive out demons and heal diseases. Matthew named the 12 disciples in verse 2-4.
It is important that before we go out and go forth, that we have the authority from God to do so. We all know we have the authority to share the gospel and make disciples of all the nations (Matt 28:19-20), however the further details or where and how will be assigned and arranged by the Lord. Some of us are approved to do so in our community, some of us in our market place, and some of us to go overseas.
In this chapter, the disciples are to go to the Jews only, and Jesus provided the detailed instructions to these new missionaries.
v5-15: Instructions For Their Mission (Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)
He sent them out with these instructions:
1. (v5-7) To go to the "lost sheep of Israel", i.e. the Jews only. They are to proclaim the message that the kingdom of heaven is near.
At that time, Jesus' mission was to fulfill the promises made to Israel as God's chosen people, preparing them to become the foundation for spreading the message of salvation to the rest of the world. By starting with Israel, Jesus aimed to solidify the message among a specific group before extending it universally, which He did when He gave the great commission in Matthew 28:19.
2. (v8) To heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. They are to free to give as they freely received.
Jesus had empowered his disciples with miraculous abilities—such as healing, raising the dead, and casting out demons—without requiring them to earn or pay for these blessings. Now, he instructs them to extend the same unearned kindness to others. Essentially, Jesus calls them to reflect God's grace by sharing what they've been given without expecting repayment or material gain.
3. (v9-10) To bring no money with them, nor any bag or extra shirt or sandals or a staff. The worker is worth his keep.
At that time, it was common for people to carry their money in small pouches or belts, so the reference to gold, silver, and copper reflects the typical means of carrying wealth during their travels. Jesus is reminding the disciples that as they travel, preaching and performing miracles, they are to trust God to provide through the hospitality of the ones they serve.
4. (v11-13) Search for worthy person once they enter a town, and stay at their house until you leave. Give your greeting when you enter the house. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if not, let your peace return to you.
This mean that if the household welcomed them and was receptive to their message, the peace would remain with them as a sign of harmony and God's favor. However, if the household rejected their message or was not hospitable, the peace would symbolically return to the disciples, meaning that they were not obligated to force their blessing or remain in an unwelcoming environment.
5. (v14-15) They should "shake the dust off your feet" and leave the town that did not welcome them nor listened to their wo
This gesture was rooted in Jewish tradition, where travelers would shake off the dust from Gentile regions upon returning to Jewish land as a sign of distancing themselves from uncleanliness. Likewise, if they are rejected, they should move on without carrying the burden of that rejection. It’s a way of saying, "We’ve done our part; now the consequences are yours."
Jesus told them these towns will be punished more th16an Sodom and Gomorrah at the day of judgement.
The reason why they will have it worse than Sodom and Gomorrah is because they have seen all the miracles Jesus has done, and are fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah, and will later see his sacrificial death for them, and yet they do not believe. (See Matt 11:23-24)
v16-25: The Challenges The Disciples Will Face (2 Tim 1:6-12)
While on this mission, the disciples will face the following risks:
1) (v16) The imagery of "sheep among wolves" reflects their vulnerability in a hostile world, as they might face opposition, persecution, and danger from those who reject their teachings. Snakes represent dangers ahead and they should act with wisdom, discernment, and resourcefulness. Doves represent purity, sincereness, and gentleness in their intentions and actions, not resorting to deceit or harm.
This applies to all believers, as a reminder to navigate life with both prudence and righteousness.
2) (v17) They may be handed over to local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.
Jesus' warnings aligned with the broader prophetic narrative of His mission and the cost of discipleship. Persecution was expected for those who aligned themselves with God's purposes. Experiences of hardship and opposition would strengthen the disciples, deepening their reliance on God and empowering them to carry out their mission with boldness.
3) (v18) They will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
While Jesus told them to preach to the Jews only, when they are well known, they will also be asked to be a witness to Jesus to the political leads who may be gentiles as well.
4) (v19-20) They should rely on God to give them the words if they were arrested (by the Jews or the Gentiles). It won't be them speaking, but the Spirit of their Father speaking through them.
Most people are afraid of answering political or religious leaders, an21 end up saying the wrong things or the wrong way. Jesus promised them that in those situation, the Holy Spirit will guide or take over their speech. The disciples themselves experience this when Peter and John spoke boldly to the Sanhedrin questions, and when Stephen rebuking the religious leaders for their rejection of the Messiah. (Acts 4:5-14; Acts 6:8-7:60)
5) (v21-22) They will be hated by everyone. The gospel they preach will cause division and conflict among family members, and some of them will betray one another.
The message of Jesus challenges the status quo, confronts sin, and calls people to repentance and allegiance to God. This can provoke resistance from those who feel threatened, offended, or unwilling to accept the transformative truth of the Gospel.
However, Jesus follows this warning with a promise: "But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." He assures His disciples that enduring persecution will lead to ultimate salvation and reward. It's a call to courage and faithfulness, even in the face of hatred.
(v23) As in v14, Jesus asked them to flee to another town if they were persecuted in a town. They will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
There are various interpretation of what and when "the Son of Man comes." Some says it refers to the second coming of the Lord at the end days. The disciples will continue to mission to Israel until then.
Others said that this referring to Jesus' resurrection and ascension, marking His vindication and inauguration of the Kingdom of God.
6) (v24-25) Why They Will Face Prosecution
Jesus said that the "student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master." (v24) The "teacher" or "master" refers to Himself. The student and servant refers to the disciples. He is telling them they will be persecuted just like their master had been persecuted. If He had been called Beelzebul, then the disciples will also be called the same.
Notes: Beelzebul came from 2 Kings 1:2-3, a deity worshipped by the Philistine. The term means "Lord of the Files" in Hebrew. In Jesus' time, "Beelzebul" was used as a title for the prince of demons or Satan himself.
v26-42: Encouragement and Rewards For The Mission (Luke 12:4-7; Luke 9:24)
After giving them the challenges and risks, Jesus assured them not to be afraid of the enemies and prosecutors.
- (v26) He reminds them that God’s justice and truth will prevail in the end, and that what might seem hidden or misunderstood now will one day be fully understood and unveiled. It encourages faithfulness and courage, even in the face of adversity, because the eternal purposes of God cannot be thwarted or concealed forever.
- (v27-28) He encourage them to share everything they heard from Jesus, whether it was spoken at night or privately, and to proclaim them loud and clear to the people. They should not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Jesus addresses the worst case scenario where a person became a martyr for the gospel. They need not be afraid as their death will bring them to heaven; However, those that refuse to believe will be destroyed in the lake of fire.
- (v29-31) Jesus knows they are worry about financial support, for He earlier told them not to bring any money with them. He assured them they are worth more than the sparrows that God cared for, even though they are worthless to people. Surely, God will take care of them as they are worth more than sparrows, for God even knows how many hair each person have! (See Psalms 139:1-4; Matt 6:25-26)
- (v32-33) Jesus told them they will be rewarded when they acknowledges Him before others, for Jesus will acknowledge them before the Father. Those who disown Him, He will also disown before the Father.
- (34-36) Jesus repeated the subject He brought up earlier, that His messages will bring conflict and division, and not peace. He said: "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." and then he quoted Micah 7:6 where Micah prophesied:
- 'The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion. Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. (v4,5) For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. (v6)"
- The "sword" is symbolic, representing the decisive nature of His message. Hebrews 4:12 says: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
- (37-39) He continued to say that anyone who loves their own family more than Him is not worthy of Him. Those who does not take up their cross and follow Him is not worthy of Him.
He is acknowledging the reality that following Him requires total allegiance, which can lead to tensions, even within families. These verses are a call to prioritize loyalty to Christ above all else, even family ties.
Then He said: "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." (v39). This means that those who prioritize their earthly life—seeking comfort, security, or self-preservation at the expense of their devotion to Christ—will ultimately lose what truly matters: eternal life and a deeper relationship with God. On the other hand, those who are willing to surrender their life, ambitions, and even endure suffering for the sake of Jesus will find true and lasting life, both now and in eternity.
Apostle John quoted Jesus at another time: "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25)
Paul describes the sacrificial life of a believer, where self is surrendered to Christ in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Jesus highlights that even seemingly insignificant acts of kindness and support—such as giving a cup of cold water—toward His followers are deeply valued and will be rewarded by God.
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