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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_10:2-15
2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. 5These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, freely you received, freely give. 9Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. 11 And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city."
Mat_10:2 "the names of the twelve apostles" The term " apostle" (see note at Mat_10:5) is used only in Matthew (here) and Mark (Mat_3:14) in connection with the list of the apostles'names, also once more in Mar_6:30. It is much more common in Luke and Acts.
1. Luk_6:13; Luk_9:10; Luk_11:49; Luk_17:5; Luk_22:14; Luk_24:10
2. Acts
a. the Twelve, Act_1:2; Act_1:26; Act_2:37; Act_2:42-43; Act_4:33; Act_4:35-37; Act_5:2; Act_5:12; Act_5:18; Act_5:29; Act_5:40; Act_6:6; Act_8:1; Act_8:14; Act_8:18; Act_9:27; Act_11:1; Act_15:2; Act_15:4; Act_15:6; Act_15:22-23; Act_16:4
b. other apostles (later use of the term)
(1) Paul, Act_14:4; Act_14:14 (equal authority with the Twelve)
(2) Barnabas Act_14:14 (lesson authority)
The lists of the Apostles are found in Mar_3:16-19, Luk_6:12-16, and Act_1:13-14. The names and order change slightly. However, they are always in three groups of four. Peter is always first and Judas Iscariot is always last. The groupings stay the same. These groupings were possibly a rotating system whereby certain disciples could go home for short periods to check on their families.
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Mat_10:3 "Bartholomew" He was also called Nathaniel (cf. Joh_1:45-51).
▣ "Matthew" He was also called Levi (cf. Mar_2:14; Luk_5:27).
▣ "Thaddeus" He was also called Judas, the son or brother of James (cf. Luk_6:16; Act_1:13) or Lebbaeus (Greek MSS C2, L, and W).
Mat_10:4
NASB, NJB " Simon the Zealot"
NKJV "Simon the Canaanite"
NRSV "Simon the Canaanean"
TEV "Simon the Patriot"
He was also called "the Canaanean," which could refer to one from Cana (cf. Mar_3:18). However, the Greek reflects a Hebrew term "zealous." He was a Jewish patriot and separatist (cf. Luk_6:15; Act_1:13). For Matthew and Simon to be in the same group shows the radical change that Jesus accomplished in these men's lives.
▣ "Iscariot" This term can mean a man from a city in Judah, Kerioth (from the Hebrew), or an assassin's knife (from the Greek). If he was from Judah, he was the only Apostle from the south.
▣ "the one who betrayed him" There is an interesting book that attempts to interpret Judas in a new, a more positive way, Judas, Betrayer or Friend of Jesus? by William Klassen, published by Fortress Press, 1996. However, to do so it completely ignores John's Gospel.
Mat_10:5 "sent" This was from the same Greek root as " apostle" (apostello, used in the LXX for God sending the prophets to speak for Him), which came to mean within rabbinical circles "sent one" with the implication of official authority. Mar_6:7 tells us Jesus sent the Apostles out in pairs.
▣ "do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans" This is probably the source of Paul's "Jew first and also the Greeks" (cf. Rom_1:16). This was not exclusivism, but limiting His emphasis so as to give Abraham's descendants every chance to respond.
The Jews hated the Samaritans because they were considered half-breeds. This referred to the Assyrian exile of the Northern Ten Tribes of Israel in 722 b.c. Thousands of Jews were deported to Media and thousands of Gentiles were exiled to take their place in Israel. Over the years an amalgamation of religion and social customs had occurred (cf. Ezra and Neh.). At this early stage of Jesus' ministry the inclusion of either of these groups would have negatively affected His ability to reach Jews!
Mat_10:6 "the lost sheep" This was an unusual combination of terms; "sheep" often referred to God's people (cf. John 10), while " lost" implied their spiritual helplessness and vulnerability (cf. Mat_9:36), especially if there is no shepherd (cf. Num_27:17; 1Ki_22:17; Psa_119:176; Isa_53:6; Zec_13:7).
▣ "of the house of Israel" This was an idiomatic way of referring to the descendants of the Patriarchs. They are also known as
1. the house of Jacob (i.e., Luk_1:33, cf. Mat_15:24; Act_2:36; Heb_8:8)
2. the house of Judah (i.e., Heb_8:8)
3. children of Abraham (i.e., Mat_3:9; Joh_8:33; Joh_8:39)
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Mat_10:7 "as you go" This is a present active participle used as an imperative (cf. Mat_28:19).
▣ "preach" This was a present imperative. This is a foreshadowing of (1) the mission trips of the Twelve and seventy and (2) the Great Commission of Mat_28:18-20; Luk_24:46-47; Act_1:8.
▣ "kingdom. . .is at hand" This was to be the content that they were to preach (cf. Mat_3:2; Mat_4:17; Mar_1:15; Luk_10:9; Luk_10:11; Luk_11:20; Luk_21:31). The kingdom is the reign of God in human's hearts now which will one day be consummated over all the earth (cf. Mat_6:10). Although the disciples did not understand it yet (i.e., Luk_24:16; Luk_24:31), it began with the Incarnation of Christ (the Messiah) and will be consummated at the Second Coming of Christ. Initially Jesus and the disciples preached a message similar to John the Baptist's message. See hyperlink at Mat_4:17.
Mat_10:8 "heal. . .raise. . .cleanse. . .cast out" These are all present imperatives (cf. Mat_10:1). They went and ministered as Jesus ministered. His power and authority were flowing through them. These signs confirmed their message about Him.
The Greek manuscripts contain several variations of the phrase "raise the dead." This may be because (1) biblical records are lacking that the twelve Apostles did this, (2) it is metaphorical of the spiritually dead, and (3) Matthew used the other three verbs often without mentioning "raising the dead." See Bruce Metzger, A Textual Commentary On the Greek New Testament, pp. 27-28. The phrase is included in the uncial MSS à , B, C, D, N, and many versions.
▣ "lepers" In the OT the disease of leprosy was a sign of God's disfavor (cf. 2Ch_26:16-23).
▣ "cast out demons" Jesus' power is greater than Satan and the demonic (cf. 1Jn_4:4). The demons are designated by the terms " spirits," (cf. Mat_8:16) and "unclean spirits," (cf. Mat_10:1). The origin of demons is not disclosed in Scripture. The rabbis attribute the origin of evil in the world to Genesis 6 (Paul says it was Genesis 3, cf. Rom_5:12-21). They assert that the "sons of God" (see Special Topic on Genesis 1-11 commentary online at hyperlink) mentioned in Genesis 6 became disembodied at their death by the flood of Noah and became the demons of the NT period seeking another body.
▣ "freely you received, freely give" This is not a passage against salaries for missionaries, but rather encouraging believers to trust in God while doing Kingdom work in (1) His power, (2) His provisions, and (3) His purposes to be accomplished. These verses are not universal principles, but guidelines for this particular mission trip (cf. Luk_22:35-36). They are the practical application of Mat_6:25-34 to the present situation.
Mat_10:9 "your money belts" This was how first century Jews carried their coinage.
Mat_10:10 "bag" This kind of bag functioned as a suitcase. The disciples were not to carry with them every thing they might need, but trust God's daily provision.
▣ "or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff" Comparisons with Mar_6:8-9 have caused great controversy. The theories are
1. " staff" could be used in two different senses: a walking stick or a defensive club
2. the two shirts of Mat_10:10 imply "do not take extras of these items"
3. Luk_22:35-36 shows one harmonization
The Gospels were not written for us to compare the details. The key to this text is that believers are to trust in God for His provisions; rely on His resources!
▣ "for the worker is worthy of his support" Jesus is probably alluding to the truth of Deu_25:4 (cf. 1Co_9:6-7; 1Co_9:14; 1Ti_5:18), which goes back to Deu_24:14-15 (cf. Lev_19:13). Gospel preachers are to be supported by their hearers! The NT guidelines for giving are not OT tithing, but voluntary, sacrificial, joyful, according to the ability (cf. 2 Corinthians 8-9). See hyperlink at Mat_23:23.
Mat_10:11
NASB "inquire who is worthy in it; and stay at this house until you leave that city"
NKJV "inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out"
NRSV "find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave"
TEV "Go in and look for someone who is willing to welcome you, and stay with him until you leave that place"
NJB "Seek out someone worthy and stay with him until you leave"
When they came to a village (1) they were to seek out a godly home which desired the blessing of their presence, and (2) they were not to move again and again seeking better accommodations. It is possible that the godly home would be one of the first that responded to their preaching.
Mat_10:12 "give it your greeting" This referred to the traditional Jewish blessing of peace, shalom.
Mat_10:13 "if. . .if" There are two third class conditional sentences which meant potential future action.
Mat_10:14 "shake the dust off your feet" This was a Jewish symbol of rejection (cf. Act_13:51; Act_18:6).
Mat_10:15 This is one passage that implies degrees of judgment based on the amount of light that has been rejected (cf. Mat_11:22-24). Also notice the same book which reveals God's matchless love also reveals God's wrath and judgment. See hyperlinks at Mat_5:12.
▣ "Truly" See Special Topic at Mat_5:18.