CHAPTER 10
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1
Morris says, “The other gospels have no parallel to this charge as a whole, but there are parallels to most parts of this section it in a number of places.” 1 We see some close parallels in Mark 3:13-19; 6:7-13 and Luke 9:1-6. Of course, there is a listing of disciples also in Acts 1:13. Barker and Kohlenberger note that this is the first explicit mention of the “Twelve” in this gospel.2 The disciples are however previously mentioned in 5:1; 8:23, 25; 9:10-11, 19, and 37.
We might note that this is a very special group of representatives. Only Matthias will be added to this group after the betrayal and death of Judas (Acts 1:26). Later Paul will come on in a special role as the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 1:1; 11:13; Gal. 1:1). Then others will serve the growing church as apostles in a much lesser sense. Others, including Paul, would not have the necessary qualifications for this group, of being with Jesus throughout his ministry and of witnessing the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22).
The number twelve has a certain uniqueness and surely corresponds to the twelve tribes of Israel (19:28). Osborne says, “…These were the righteous remnant chosen out of the apostate nation and given a twofold responsibility: (1) to represent the nation before God; (2) to reach the nation for God.” 3
These disciples were sent forth with the authority of Jesus. It was customary in that culture for a sent representative to go with the full authority of the sender.4 It is clear in other places that this authority was not an automatic thing but was maintained by prayer, devotion and closeness to the Master (cf. Matt. 17:19-20; Mk. 9:29).5 We note that authority was given over all diseases. We also note that demon possession is distinguished from disease. Demons are not always involved with diseases.6
“These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;” (10:2). So the Twelve disciples or learners (Gk mathētas) are now becoming apostles (Gk. apostolos) by being “sent out” by Jesus.
The disciples are usually listed in three groups of four people each, with Simon Peter listed first and Judas Iscariot listed last. While Peter heads the first group, Philip heads the second and James the Son of Alphaeus heads the third. We notice that the disciples are mentioned by twos. The Bible did require two witnesses for any serious matter (Deut. 19:15). Jesus also sent the disciples out to minister in pairs (Mk. 6:7), no doubt so that one could help the other and that together they should have a better return (Eccl. 4:9).
The first group is made up of Peter, Andrew, James and John. Simon Peter also had the name of Cephas (Aram. kepha) meaning a rock (Jn. 1:42). This name when translated into Greek became Petros, also meaning a rock.7 We know that Peter was not the first disciple chosen. In fact, his brother Andrew, who had been a disciple of John the Baptist (Jn. 1:41-42), introduced him to Jesus. Christian tradition tells us that Simon Peter eventually gave his life as a martyr in Rome sometime around the mid AD 60s.
James and John were fishing partners of Peter and may have been distant cousins to Peter and Andrew. At some point Jesus gave nicknames to James and John. Perhaps it was after the episode when they wanted to call fire down on the cities of Samaria that had rejected Jesus (Lk. 9:52-55). He began to call them Boanerges (Sons of Thunder). James became the first martyr among the disciples in AD 44, and John outlived them all, perhaps being the only disciple to die a natural death.8
“Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him” (10:3-4). The second group is headed up by Philip and includes Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas. Philip was one of Jesus’ earliest disciples. He is often confused with Philip the “deacon” whom we meet in Acts 6:5 and 8:26-40.9 The church father Clement of Alexandria mentions that both Philip and Peter were fathers of children.10
Bartholomew is generally identified with the Nathanael of John 1:43-51 and 21:2. It is thought that he might have had a Hebrew name like Nathanael bar Talmai.11 Thomas apparently had the Hebrew name of Didymus or “twin” (cf. Jn. 11:16; 20:24; 21:2). He gained a sort of infamy in Christian circles by doubting that the Lord Jesus was resurrected and that he had appeared to the other disciples (Jn. 20:22-28). Christian tradition associates him with establishing the church of India.12
Matthew lists himself last in this second group. Matthew is also known as Levi (cf. Mark 2:14; Lk. 5:27-29). Of course, Matthew was a publican or tax collector. He illustrates the breadth of diversity in the disciples. Barclay says that if Simon the Zealot had met Matthew anywhere else than in company with Jesus he would likely have stuck a dagger in him.13 With a name like Levi it is likely that Matthew came from the Tribe of Levi or the priestly tribe. It is amazing how far Israel had fallen from God’s original holy norms.
James the Son of Alphaeus heads up the third group. We should note how the first two groups are always stable in the various listings, but the third group has some seeming differences. Thaddaeus who appears in Matthew and Mark’s listings (Mk. 3:18) does not appear in Luke’s listing or in Acts. Instead we have Judas son of James mentioned (Lk. 6:16). It is likely that the two were one and the same.14 Simon the Canaanite (Mk. 3:18 KJV – his name meaning “zealous”) is mentioned in Mark and in Matthew. He shows up as Simon the Zealot (Zelotes) in Acts 1:13 and in Luke 6:15. The two are obviously the same. Commentators often think that Simon at one time was a member of the Zealot party, which violently opposed Rome and had been in existence since about AD 6.
Judas Iscariot is always listed last, except in Acts, where he is already dead. His Hebrew name could mean man of Kerioth. This was a small city in Judea. That being the case, he was the only disciple who was non-Galilean.15 He was the keeper of the money bag and John would later say that he was a thief and stole from it (Jn. 12:6). In a spiritual sense Judas may have represented Judah or the Jews who almost wholly rejected Jesus. In Hebrew there is really no difference between Judas, Judah or Jew. Interestingly, there is a move today among the Messianic Jews (Jewish Christians) of Jerusalem and Judea to somehow redeem the discipleship that Judas lost by their own extreme devotion and discipleship to the Lord Jesus.16
The listings of the apostles can be a little tricky. There were two Simons, two Jamses and two Judases, 17 along with several variations of names. Many Jewish people in those days had at least two names.18
We do not have a lot of details on these very important men. Osborne suggests that we do not have impressive details because there were not many impressive details available.19 These men were very common folks. However, the early church father Lactantius (c. 320) says of them: “For the next twenty-five years (until the beginning of the reign of Emperor Nero), they busied themselves in laying the foundations of the church in every province and city.” 20 Barclay says, “Jesus chose these men, not only for what they were, but also for what they were capable of becoming under his influence and in his power.” 21
SENDING OUT OF THE TWELVE
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” Matthew 10:5-6
The word for instructions is the Greek paraggellein. This word was regularly used for giving an imperial command. Jesus was a king dispatching ambassadors into the world. They were to carry out his orders.22 Jesus instructed them to go only to the House of Israel in their initial ministry. The Gentiles and Samaritans would come later. Mark, who wrote primarily to the Gentiles does not mention this instruction. The principle of going first to the Jews is not only seen in Jesus’ ministry but in Paul’s (cf. Acts 13:5, 44-48; 14:1; Rom. 1:16).
This is the first mention of Samaritans in Matthew so it would be well if we understood a little about them. When the ten northern tribes were conquered by King Shalmaneser V in 722 BC, many of the people were deported and other peoples were brought in to live in their land. These foreigners intermarried with the few Israelites that remained. While there was some worship of the True God, there was also the syncretistic worship of pagan gods. These Samaritans sought to join with Nehemiah in rebuilding the temple but they were rebuffed. Eventually they built their own temple on Mt. Gerizim. This temple was destroyed by the Jewish leader John Hyrcanus in 109 BC. Thus there were very strong resentments and even hatreds between the Jews and Samaritans.23 Keener remarks, “Galilee was surrounded by Gentile regions except in the south, where it shared borders with Samaria.” 24
In 9:36, Jesus had already noted how the people were like sheep without a shepherd. This picture was as old as Israel. Often the prophets had remarked that Israel was a nation of straying sheep (Is. 53:6; Jer. 50:6; cf. Ezek. 34:1-16). Those who have had experience with sheep know that they are rather dumb animals. They can wander away from the shepherd and the fold and seemingly have no idea how to return. The people of Israel, like straying sheep, had forgotten their resting place. Their evil shepherds had actually caused them to wander away (Jer. 50:6).
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (10:7-8). The disciples, or rather apostles, were sent forth to preach the message of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew, being Jewish and writing mostly to a Jewish community, substituted kingdom of heaven for kingdom of God. The Jewish people when possible try not to use “God” in their writing as we have previously mentioned. We have essentially lost the kingdom message today (see our remarks on 5:3; 6:33). However, it apparently will be recovered and preached in the end days (Matt. 24:14).
The apostles went forth wielding the power of the Lord in healing all manner of sickness and in casting out demons. Some today would like to “demythologize” the Bible by removing all the miracles. Kretzmann says about this, “…To separate the miraculous element from the gospel-accounts, is to take away the essence of the gospel-narrative.” 25 France adds, “Their mission is an extension of his, for which they are vested with his authority.” 26
They were instructed to freely give because they had freely received. This idea of ministering freely was deeply embedded in Judaism. Barclay says, “A Rabbi was bound by law to give his teaching freely, and for nothing; the Rabbi was absolutely forbidden to take money for teaching the law which Moses had freely received from God.” 27 The great Hillel said: “He that makes worldly use of the crown shall perish. Thus thou mayest learn that he that makes profit out of the words of the Law removed his life from the world” (Mishnah, Abot 4: 5).
Barnes seeks to clarify the realm of remuneration saying: “…That is, they were not to sell their favors of healing, preaching, etc. They were not to make a money-making business of it, to bargain specifically to heal for so much, and to cast out devils for so much. This, however, neither then nor afterward precluded them from receiving a competent support. See Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:8-14; 1 Timothy 5:18.” 28 Blomberg adds: “There are scriptural paradigms for missionary and ministry activity that recognize dependence both on others’ support on one’s own resources earned through a different trade (cf. 1 Cor. 9:1-18; Phil. 4:10-19).” 29
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep” (10:9-10). The ministry of the apostles was urgent and they were to go without preparation for the journey. They could procure or take no funds of silver or small coins in their belts. Their belts (Gk. zōnas), were girdles or sashes that were folded in such a way to carry money.
In other words they had to go as they were without making any extra preparation. The bag was possibly a knapsack.30 They were to take nothing extra for the trip. France comments: “The well-known discrepancy over the staff (Mk. 6:8 specifically allows them to carry one) may arise from the difference in the verbs: the Matthaean version forbids the acquisition of a staff for the journey, while the Marcan allows them to take (only) the one they already possess…Sandals and staff were normally essential for travelling …the forbidden sandals were perhaps, like the second tunic, a spare pair procured for the journey.” 31 Gospel preachers were to be supported by their hearers and by the mercy of God upon them.
MINISTRY MANNERS
Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:11-13
My wife and I have friends who make several trips each year from the US to India and surrounding countries to do mission work. It seems that missionaries today are learning to depend upon this verse in a new way. When our friends enter a new pagan village, they pray for a “man of peace” to help open the village doors for them. One Baptist missionary upon approaching a seemingly hostile village prayed for a man of peace and then started his stopwatch. It took only three and one-half minutes for the man of peace to appear. The kind gentleman gave him and his company a meal and then introduced them to the village elders. Soon the whole group became believers in the Lord and the village was opened up to Christianity.32 We realize that Cornelius of Acts 10 was such a man of peace who opened the gospel to Gentiles.
Public lodging was pitifully poor in those days. The lodges were more or less “hotbeds of piracy and prostitution.” 33 Of course, the apostles carried not a penny on them to pay for such lodging anyway.
They were counting on the grace of God and upon Middle Eastern hospitality. France notes how according with eastern tradition the guest, though a complete stranger, has rights to provision and protection (cf. Gen. 18:1-8; 19:1-8; Jud. 19:15-24).34 Obviously, the worthy person was that one who was willing to roll out the welcome mat for the travelers. They, in turn, were to give their greeting of peace upon the people and upon the home (cf. Lk. 10:5).
“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (10:14). On later occasions we see the disciples reacting in just this manner (cf. Acts 13:51; 18:6). The shaking dust off the feet was a Jewish custom already in existence. The Jews looked upon all Gentile lands as unclean. Therefore, when they returned to Israel from Gentile countries they would stop and shake the dust off their feet before entering Israel.35
When the disciples shook the dust off their feet it meant that they had discharged their duty and would say nothing further. It was a show of extreme contempt for that area and its people. Such folks would have to answer to God.36 This may sound strange to our ears today. However, in ancient times the action of one person or persons could affect a whole community. There was a sense of corporate solidarity that has been lost today.37
“Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town” (10:15). The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked indeed. They were guilty of the awful sin of homosexuality and of shirking their responsibility of hospitality to strangers (see Genesis Ch.19). Yet, they had never heard the wonderful message of Jesus and his kingdom.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (10:16). Since Genesis 3:1, the serpent has been a symbol of wisdom and cunning. Doves on the other hand are symbols of innocence. People will quickly kill a snake but few will kill an innocent dove.38 However, in Texas and a few other western US states there is a dove hunting season.
Sheep are helpless creatures dependent upon the shepherd for their welfare and survival. We must not forget this picture as we go out to labor for the Lord. We must go in humility always depending upon him. Yet, France says we are not to be gullible simpletons.39 We are to be humble, and innocent but wise and shrewd in dealing with evil people.
PERSECUTION FOR THE GOSPEL
Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. Matthew 10:17
Jesus did not try to deceive his followers but rather told them the stark truth. It would be costly to be his follower. Jesus was intent upon telling people the truth while people naturally like to believe lies. The truth was unpopular back then and it is unpopular today. It is sad, but the truth at times is even unpopular for God’s own people. The followers of Jesus would even be flogged in their own synagogues (cf. 23:34; Acts 5:40). The synagogue floggings were the traditional thirty-nine lashes (2 Cor. 11:24).40
After the Dunkirk debacle, and as World War II developed, English Prime Minister Churchill spoke to the people and told them the stark truth. He offered the country only “blood, sweat and tears.” 41 Jesus made a similar offer, a cross of suffering that each believer would have to bear.
It is surely interesting that the Greek word for witness (martus) is the word from which we get martyr.42 Jesus knew that there would be a Jewish persecution of Christians, just as the Jews had persecuted him. The church in Jerusalem was heavily persecuted with the martyrdom of Stephen and later of the Apostle James. Eventually James the Just, leader of the church and half-brother of Jesus was martyred by the Jews. Others were mistreated and imprisoned. Wherever Paul went preaching in the Gentile world, the Jews were ever at his heels trying to undo his work. He was imprisoned, beaten and even stoned at the instigation of the Jews.
The persecution by Jews and others would go on through the centuries. The early Christian father Tertullian reports around AD 195: “You put Christians on crosses and stakes…We are cast to the wild beasts…We are burned in the flames…We are condemned to the mines…We are banished to islands.” 43 He says, “With our hands thus stretched out and up to God, rend us with your iron claws, hang us up on crosses, wrap us in flames, take our heads from us with the sword, let loose the wild beasts on us – the very attitude of a Christian praying is one preparation for all punishment.” 44
“On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles” (10:18). It must have sounded frightening for these simple fishermen that they would be brought before governors and kings. Yet, it happened just as Jesus said it would. These many appearances before potentates are catalogued in scripture (cf. Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-41; 6:12 – 8:3; 12:1-19; 16:19-40; 21:27-33; 25:11-12).
“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (10:19-20). The Bible assures us that the Holy Spirit who lives within the believer would bring to memory all those things they had learned from Jesus (Jn. 14:16, 26). With hands and feet in chains it would be hard to compose a few notes for a speech anyway! Utley warns us that this may not be used as a proof text for lazy preachers who fail to study before their sermons.45
FAMILY TROUBLES
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Matthew 10:21
Barclay relates a tragic story that happened during World War II: “In Hitler’s Germany a man was arrested because he stood for freedom. He endured imprisonment and torture with stoic and uncomplaining fortitude. Finally, with spirit still unbroken, he was released. Some short time afterwards he committed suicide. Many wondered why. Those who knew him well knew the reason – he had discovered that his own son was the person who had informed against him. The treachery of his own flesh and blood broke him in a way that the cruelty of his enemies was unable to achieve.” 46
Wiersbe comments, “The three institutions that God established in this world are the home, human government, and the church. In the last days, all three of these institutions will oppose the truth instead of promote it.” 47 We remember how Jesus’ own family seemed to stand against him and how he was severely persecuted in his own town of Nazareth, even by his former neighbors (Lk. 4:28-30).48 It seems that the most bitter persecution on earth is that which comes from family members and friends.
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (10:22). Because of their fallen and sinful state, people hate God and they hate the Bible. But most of all they hate Jesus Christ and regularly curse him. This has been true in every century and will become more the case as the last days approach.
Today we are told that 80 percent of all discrimination in the world targets Christians.49 Now as Islam rises on the global scene Christians are especially threatened. Author Raymond Ibrahim says, “More than any other religion, Christianity is Islam’s historical enemy. Converting to Christianity is seen as something of a double betrayal.” 50 Ibraham cites a 2010 Pew Research Center poll which found that 84 percent of Egyptian Muslims believe those who leave Islam should be killed.” 51
We need to pay special attention to Jesus’ words, “the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” This seems to fly in the face of the easy-going “once saved always saved” doctrine that is prevalent in today’s church. There is a sense in which this is true from God’s perspective, but it can never be taken for granted from our perspective. Christians often neglect the important doctrine of perseverance. Simply, we must endure to the end to be saved. However, it is the hand of God that keeps us from falling and preserves us to the end (Jude 1:24-25).
Utley says about this subject: “The doctrine of the ‘perseverance’…is as biblical as ‘the security of the believers!’ (cf. Matt. 24:13; Gal. 6:9; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12; 21:7). We must affirm both truths, even though they cause doctrinal tension! Doctrines are given in tension-filled relationship to other doctrines, not isolated truths.” 52
“When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (10:23). This scripture tells us something very important about persecution and even martyrdom. We are not to seek it. In fact, we are to try our best to escape it if possible. We might say a word here about the so-called Islamic “martyrdom,” which is so sought after. It is not martyrdom at all. To be a martyr one gives his or her life for the sake of Christ and others. In Islamic “martyrdom” one seeks to destroy oneself and as many others as possible.
It seems that some of the early Christians were seeking martyrdom. Ignatius (c. 105) said: “Allow me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God so let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts – so that I may be found to be the pure bread of Christ.” 53 Tertullian said around 212, “Condemnation gives us more pleasure than acquittal.” 54 We must not seek persecution or martyrdom but we should flee if possible. This is not seen as a cowardly type of fleeing but one of prudence so that our ministry may continue. Pfeiffer and Harrison say, “Martyrdom was not to be sought; reasonable care for life was to
be taken.” 55
The remainder of this verse is quite perplexing. Barker and Kohlenberger say, “This verse is among the most difficult in the New Testament.” 56 Jesus seems to be saying that the disciples will not be able to take the gospel to the whole of Israel before he returns. The disciples apparently did not reach all of Israel until the disaster of AD 70 overtook them. After that, Israel was largely dispersed to the nations once more.
Today, it may be possible to understand this verse, since Israel is once again restored to the land. That restoration largely happened in the latter half of the twentieth century. In that time, many scores of Israeli cities were founded and settled. Today the population of Israel is rapidly approaching ten million people and the nation is largely unreached with the gospel. Israel is an exceedingly difficult mission field and progress is painfully slow. No doubt the Lord will return before all of Israel is reached with the gospel.
STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND SLANDERS
The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. Matthew 10:24
As we have seen, a disciple is a learner or a student. Here, Jesus makes plain that a student is not above his teacher. Whatever happens to the teacher will also likely happen to the student. Jesus is still talking about persecution for one’s faith. Osborne notes that in pagan cultures the servant went to war right along with his master.57 No doubt, teachers and students have had to fight together in the military ranks. Therefore, as Jesus was persecuted so will we be persecuted.
“It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!” (10:25). In Bible times the god of Ekron was called Baalzebub (also Baalzebul), meaning “lord of the house” or “lord of the high place” (2 Ki. 1:2, 3, 16). It seems that the Hebrews took the name, and by changing a letter or two gave it the contemptuous title of “lord of flies” or “lord of dung.” 58 In time, this name began to be applied to the prince of demons (Mt. 12:24; Lk. 11:15) and it even became identical with Satan.59 We know that the Jews were saying that Jesus received his power from Beelzebul (cf. 12:24). This was a horrible and deadly insult to Jesus. Of course, people are likely to say the same thing about us. We know recently how some conservative Christians have charged Spirit-filled believers with doing the work of the devil.
NOT TO BE AFRAID
So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. Matthew 10:26
It appears in this section that Matthew gathers material from a number of parallels scattered all over the Synoptic Gospels.60 Here he deals with the problem of fear in the believer’s life. It was said of the great reformer John Knox as they buried him: “Here lies one who feared God so much that he never feared the face of any man.” 61 Oswald Chambers once said, “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.”
In this present evil age the workers of iniquity have many evil devices. They have snares hidden for the righteous and they shoot from the shadows at believers (Psa. 11:2). We are not to fear them or their devices. My wife is a prayer warrior and she prays continually that all secret things will be revealed. So far as our government is concerned she seems to have had a lot of success lately.
“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs” (10:27). In ancient Israel most rooftops were flat and people spent a lot of time relaxing and even sleeping on them. The rooftops made excellent places from which people could make announcements to the community.62
The Christian Broadcasting Network was founded by sheer faith in 1960, with the idea of “shouting it from the housetops,” speaking of the gospel. The idea was to use the housetops of the US and the ubiquitous television antennas for gospel receptacles. The Lord blessed this adventure of faith so that they are now reaching 154 countries in 76 different languages. Their religious programing was viewed by 376 million people in 2017. Their prayer and response center recorded 2.9 million calls and recorded more than 21,000 professions of faith in Jesus.63 That is indeed an excellent example of shouting it from the housetops.
“Do 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” (10:28). God does not want us to be afraid of anything of anybody. He wants us only to fear him and serve him. I must admit that I misunderstood this verse for a long time. Somehow, I thought the verse referred to the devil who could cast us into hell. Morris says, “Jesus speaks of ‘authority’ to cast into hell, and authority that only God has. The Bible never says that believers are to be afraid of Satan.” 64
The old hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God was written by Martin Luther in 1529. The great fourth verse says:
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever! 65
The Bible looks at the body and soul as a unity. Where the Greeks were concerned with only the soul and its spiritual future, the Hebrews were concerned with both body and soul. The biblical concept is that not only the soul will be saved but that the body will be saved and resurrected into a new physical/spiritual person, like the resurrected body of Christ. Sometimes we speak of getting souls saved but this is certainly not the whole program of God. The body and soul of the departed saint are only separated until the resurrection.66 Blomberg adds, “…body and soul are closely united, and God will eventually reunite them in the resurrection body.” 67
So the very worst that people can do is to kill the body. The worst that God can do is to destroy the body and soul of the unbeliever in hell.68 We must not think of this destruction as annihilation. “Jesus is speaking of the destruction of all that makes for a rich and meaningful life, not of the cessation of life’s existence.” 69 The Bible is clear that the destruction of hell or Gehenna is eternal in its nature.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (10:29). The sparrow was a very common and cheap little bird that was sometimes used as food for the poor. A sparrow could be purchased in the markets for a penny, or about 1/16 of a denarius.70 That is about 1/16 of a day’s wage. Luke even tells us that two coins could buy five sparrows (12:6). Apparently they were so cheap that the seller would throw in some extra ones. Sparrows were almost a worthless nuisance but not one could fall to the ground without the heavenly Father noticing it. Morris says, “If God is interested in the smallest of his created beings, he is also interested in the smallest details of the people he has made in his own image…” 71
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (10:30). This is astounding information! Not only is the Heavenly Father concerned about a fallen sparrow he is also concerned about one of our fallen hairs. Bengel notes how we do not even notice our own hairs but we pull them out in wads on our combs.72
“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (10:31). Each person is made in the image of God and is therefore very precious. If God cares for sparrows then he will certainly care for us. This is the standard Jewish “how much more” or qal va homer argument.73 Barker and Kohlenberger say, “…that God’s sovereignty over the tiniest detail should give us confidence that he also superintends the larger matters.” 74
STANDING UP FOR CHRIST
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33
The evangelist Billy Graham often said in his crusades that when Jesus calls a person he calls that person publicly. Most all professions of faith in Jesus have to be made before an assembly, a church or at least other people. Then, the convert must acknowledge Jesus by a public baptism. There is really no secret discipleship. If we confess Jesus he will confess us. If we disown Jesus he will disown us. It is just that simple. Guthrie says, “Open confession is an essential mark of discipleship (cf. Rom. 10:9-11).” 75
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (10:34). How incredible this sounds! The Prince of Peace came to earth to bring a sword. Barclay says, “Nowhere is the sheer honesty of Jesus more vividly displayed than it is here.” 76 When we become followers of Jesus we become a part of his vast army and his army is involved in an awesome struggle against Satan and his forces. When we join Jesus we go to war! We have great peace on the inside but great struggle on the outside. There is much evidence in the Bible that war or struggle will become more intense as we draw near to the last days.
“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’” (10:35-36). Jesus dealt to some degree with the gospel and family relationships in verse 21. Now he deals with the subject again by quoting Micah 7:6. France comments, “The sword Jesus brings is not here military conflict…[but] a sharp social division which even severs the closest family ties.” 77 This sharp conflict is especially seen today when members of Moslem families become Christians. It is quite customary for their own father or brothers to slit their throat or otherwise murder them.
TAKING UP THE CROSS
Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37
Loving and honoring parents is one of the foremost duties of Judaism.78 The command to love and honor parents is stated plainly in the fifth commandment of Exodus 20:12. Yet, the love and respect of parents must not come before the love of Christ. In the past, before mass transit and mass communications, Christian missionaries would sometimes leave their families never to see them again.
“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (10:38). Jesus did not have to draw people a picture of the cross, because every Israelite was thoroughly familiar with this horrible instrument of death. On one occasion the Roman commander Varus publicly crucified two thousand Jewish rebels at one time (Josephus. Antiq. 17.10.10). The cross was an old Phoenician device for crucifixion that was taken over by the Romans. The cross was designed to keep a person in excruciating pain over a period of several days before death would at last mercifully come.79 Of course, after Jesus’ own crucifixion the idea of the cross was graphically clear to all the disciples.
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (10:39). There is an old and basic human principle of offering one’s life for another:
Years ago, a young mom was making her way across the hills of South Wales, carrying her tiny baby in her arms, when she was unexpectedly overtaken by a blinding blizzard. Swirling sheets of snow blanketed the hills. Black fog turned day into night, and she knew she could not reach her destination. Slowly, deliberately, she removed each piece of her outer clothing and bundled her baby boy snugly, first in her hat, gloves, and scarf, then in her sweater and heavy coat. Exhausted, by the wind and cold, the young woman eventually fell, unable to get up and continue walking. Still she managed to hold her child to her chest, protecting him from the cold with her body. When the blizzard subsided, searchers found her buried beneath a mound of snow, but as the rescuers lifted her frozen body, they heard a faint cry. As they unwrapped layer upon layer of protective covering, to their great surprise and joy, they found a baby boy, alive and well! This mother had given her life for the son she loved. Years later that child, David Lloyd George, became prime minister of Great Britain and one of England’s greatest statesmen.80
Jesus willingly gave his life for all of us. He died on a cruel cross to pay the price of our sin with his precious blood. Is it too much for us to offer our lives in service to him? The Bible promises that if we cling to our lives selfishly we will lose them in the end. However, if we give our lives to the Master we will not only gain our lives but we will gain everything else worth having.
ETERNAL REWARDS
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Matthew 10:40
The early church had many traveling ministers – apostles, prophets and teachers. It was important for every little house church to open its door and its heart to these special people. Many times they probably did not know that they were welcoming Christ. This sometimes described as a four-way partnership of God, Jesus, the host and the guest.
We might say that hospitality is at the very heart of Christianity. Unfortunately, with our hurry-up world, hospitality is becoming a lost art. Matt Walsh says of the present situation: “Our society seems to be constructed specifically to distract us from caring about important things.” 81
“Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward” (10:41). When we think of a prophet’s reward we might think of that poor desperate woman of Zarephath. Because of the great famine, she and her son were about to starve to death. The woman only had a tiny supply of flour and oil left. With it she was gathering some sticks so she could bake one last loaf of bread. She and her son would eat it and then they would die of hunger. At that moment the prophet Elijah appeared. He asked her to first give him a piece of bread and then she and her son could eat what was left. Elijah then told her that the jar of flour and the jug of oil would not run out until the Lord sent rain once again. The woman believed the prophet and did as he instructed. Sure enough, her supply of oil and flour never ran out until the rains came. That is an example of a prophet’s reward (1 Ki. 17:7-16).
Many times when we bless others we end up getting blessed. The woman at the well, despite her initial prejudices, decided to give Jesus a drink. In return, he gave her living water that would save her and many others in her small Samaritan town (Jn. 4:7-42).
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (10:42). Commentators generally feel that this represents an act of the smallest kindness. It certainly would be so in our society. However, getting a cup of water was not an easy thing in the arid Middle East. We can only imagine how difficult it was to get a cup of cold water. It might actually require a trip to the city well in the burning noonday sun. Since cold water was much preferred for drinking, 82 this verse may speak of that little extra something we add to our act of kindness. The hot trip will be well worth it if we are doing it for one of God’s elect, for it is God who will return the act.