10:1–15 Chapter 9 ends with the need for laborers for God’s harvest; ch. 10 begins with Jesus commissioning His disciples (compare Mark 6:7–13; Luke 9:1–6). Matthew records the names of Jesus’ 12 primary disciples—later called apostles—as well as His instructions for spreading the message of the kingdom of heaven.

10:1 summoning his twelve disciples So far, Matthew has described the calling of only five disciples (Matt 4:18–22; 9:9). Jesus had many followers, but these were His leaders—those whom He commissioned to build His Church.

unclean spirits Refers to evil spirits or demons. According to Jewish purity laws, people inhabited by such spirits were unclean.

10:2 the twelve apostles Matthew initially refers to this group as disciples. Here, he calls them “apostles”—those who are sent out with the authority of the sender (Jesus).

The Twelve Apostles Table

Lists of the 12 Disciples/Apostles
Matt 10:2–4	Mark 3:16–19	Luke 6:13–16	Acts 1:13

first Rather than identifying Simon as the leader of the Twelve, this term simply designates the starting point of the list.

Simon who is called Peter Simon is his Hebrew name, while Peter is his Greek name (see Matt 4:18; 16:17–18). Elsewhere, biblical writers refer to him by his Aramaic name, Cephas (e.g., John 1:42; 1 Cor 1:12; Gal 2:9). Simon and the next three disciples listed (Andrew, James, and John) were mentioned earlier in Matthew (Matt 4:18, 21).

Andrew This is the last mention of Andrew by name in Matthew.

James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother James, John, and Peter serve as Jesus’ inner circle and often are privy to special circumstances (see 17:1; 26:37).

10:3 Philip Not mentioned anywhere else in Matthew (compare John 1:43–48; 6:5–7; 12:21–22; 14:8–9). This apostle is not the same as Philip the evangelist in the book of Acts (Acts 6:5; 8:1–8; 21:8).

Bartholomew Traditionally thought to be Nathanael (see John 1:46); not mentioned anywhere else in Matthew.

Thomas Not mentioned anywhere else in Matthew (compare John 11:16; 14:5; 20:24–28; 21:2).

Matthew the tax collector See note on Matt 9:9.

James the son of Alphaeus A second James, differentiated by the name of his father.

Thaddaeus He is mentioned here and in Mark’s list, but the lists in Luke and Acts have “Judas, son of James.” The other disciples appear on all four lists (with the exception of Judas Iscariot, who was dead by Acts 1). The identity of Thaddeus remains uncertain.

10:4 Simon the Zealot The Greek word used here to describe Simon, kananaios, translates an Aramaic word meaning “enthusiast.” In the first century, the term could refer to a sect of Jewish anti-Roman activists or describe a person of religious zeal. This Simon is not mentioned anywhere else in Matthew.

Major Groups in Jesus’ Time Table

Judas Iscariot Judas’ placement at the end of the list probably reflects his later betrayal of Jesus (see Matt 26:14–16, 25, 47–49; 27:3).

10:5 to the Gentiles Jesus first extends His announcement of the kingdom of heaven to the Jews, who were eagerly awaiting its arrival. Their eventual rejection of Jesus leads to the Gentile mission, which receives its clearest expression in the ministry of the Apostle Paul (e.g., Acts 9:15).

Gentiles

Samaritans Refers to people of mixed Israelite and foreign descent who lived in the region of Samaria (formerly the northern kingdom of Israel). See note on John 4:9.

Major Groups in Jesus’ Time Table

10:6 the lost sheep of the house of Israel Refers to Jews. “Lost sheep” commonly served as a metaphor for a hopeless and leaderless people (see Matt 9:36 and note).

10:7 The kingdom of heaven has come near The disciples were to preach the same message that Jesus preached and that John the Baptist preached before Him (compare 3:2; 4:17). See note on 3:2.

10:8 The actions listed here authenticate the disciples’ message. These actions also show the arrival of the kingdom of heaven (Luke 4:17–19).

Freely you have received; freely give Jesus calls on the disciples to share the blessings of the kingdom of heaven with no expectation of being compensated.

10:9 do not procure The disciples were to go without money or supplies. Their needs would be met through God’s provision.

10:10 worker is deserving of his provisions This phrase sums up biblical principles regarding both priests and laborers (Lev 19:13; Num 18:31; Deut 24:15; 25:4; 1 Cor 9:9; 1 Tim 5:18). The ultimate provision for ministry is the power of God, not our own resources.

10:11 worthy Refers to someone willing to welcome the disciples and show them hospitality. This also might indicate those who welcome the disciples’ message.

10:13 if the house is worthy See Matt 10:11 and note.

your peace return to you The initial blessing or greeting would not take effect on the house or its inhabitants.

10:14 shake off the dust from your feet This symbolic act was a renunciation and indicated a severed relationship (compare Acts 13:51).

10:15 Sodom and Gomorrah These cities are often used as examples of divine judgment (e.g., Matt 11:23–24; 2 Pet 2:6; Jude 7; Rev 11:8). Those who reject the disciples and the message of the kingdom of heaven are left to inevitable judgment. See Gen 19:1–29.

the day of judgment Refers to the time when God will take account of humanity (Rev 20:11–14).

10:16–25 Jesus Himself will face persecution; so too will His disciples. Here, He warns them of their fate and assures them that the Spirit will give them the appropriate words in times of trial.

10:16 wise as serpents In the biblical world, serpents were associated with wisdom and cleverness (e.g., Gen 3:1; 2 Cor 11:3).

10:18 governors and kings The highest officials. Jesus is looking beyond his mission and predicting what would happen to His followers in the future. (Compare Acts 4:1–22; 12:1–4; 14:5.)

10:20 who is speaking through you Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will give them the appropriate words to speak. Matthew has mentioned the Holy Spirit in connection with Jesus’ ministry (Matt 1:18, 20; 3:11, 16; 4:1), and here the Spirit is extended to the ministry of the disciples.

10:21 brother will hand over brother to death Jesus predicts that His followers will face persecution and betrayal by those closest to them.

10:22 will be saved See note on 24:13.

10:23 until the Son of Man comes There are at least five plausible options for understanding this reference: Jesus’ coming to His disciples upon their return from this particular mission (vv. 6–15); Jesus’ resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the destruction of Jerusalem in ad 70, and the second coming of Jesus at the end of the age. The overall passage is difficult to interpret, but it seems to be looking ahead to final judgment. Jesus probably means that, at His second coming, there will still be people left in the towns of Israel who have not accepted Him. See note on 8:20.

10:25 Beelzebul A deity in the ancient Near East. The name means “Baal the Prince” (see 2 Kgs 1:2–6). This figure is later identified with Satan and the demons.

10:26–33 Despite the hardships they will face, Jesus commands the disciples not to fear; rather, they should be bold witnesses to Jesus’ message and faithfully carry out their tasks.

10:26 nothing is hidden that will not be revealed In connection with Matt 10:27, this may refer to Jesus’ message of the arrival of the kingdom of heaven (4:17). It also might refer to the persecutors’ hidden sins that will be revealed at the judgment.

10:28 be afraid of the one People should have a healthy fear of God—treating Him with reverence.

10:31 Therefore do not be afraid If God watches over sparrows, He surely cares for His people. Jesus uses a lesser-to-greater argument (common in rabbinic teaching) to assure His disciples of their value to God. See 6:26 and note.

10:34–39 While some receive Jesus’ message eagerly and with great joy, others reject it with hostility.

10:34 a sword Jesus’ message inherently brings conflict. The context may indicate persecution and martyrdom, but interpersonal discord also results (vv. 21–22).

10:37 loves father or mother more than me Devotion to family should not supersede allegiance to Jesus (compare Deut 33:9).

10:38 take up his cross and follow me Jesus’ words here foreshadow His death and call on His followers to identify themselves fully with Him, to the point of being willing to die as He did.

10:40–42 Jesus will reward those who receive His disciples joyfully.

10:40 receives you receives me Welcoming Jesus’ messengers is tantamount to welcoming Jesus Himself, since they bear His message and authority (see Matt 10:11–14).

receives the one who sent me Receiving Jesus amounts to receiving the Father.

10:42 one of these little ones Likely indicates low status (compare 18:10, 14).