📖 Passage

Matthew 10:1–23
Read Matthew 10:1–23 (NKJV)

🧠 Context & Background

In this section, Jesus formally commissions the Twelve apostles for a specific mission to the lost sheep of Israel. This is a preparatory assignment before the Gospel spreads to the Gentiles after the resurrection (cf. Matthew 28:18–20). The mission reflects urgency, simplicity, and reliance on God's provision. Jesus equips them with authority to heal, cast out demons, and proclaim the nearness of the kingdom. The latter portion of the passage foreshadows future persecution, extending the mission principles beyond their immediate journey to the broader mission of the Church.

🌿 Key Themes

• Delegated Authority – The apostles act under Jesus' authority, not their own.

• Urgent Mission – The call is time-sensitive, focusing first on Israel.

• Dependence on God – They are to travel light, trusting in God's provision through hospitality.

• Cost of Discipleship – Jesus warns of opposition and persecution.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Matthew 10:1–4 – The Calling of the Twelve

"He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease."

• Authoritative Commission – Their ministry mirrors Jesus' works, authenticating the message.

• Specific Appointment – The list of apostles personalizes the mission; these men will lay the foundation of the Church.

• Unity in Diversity – The group includes fishermen, a tax collector, and a zealot — a testimony to the unifying power of Christ.

Matthew 10:5–15 – Instructions for the Immediate Mission

"Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

• Focused Scope – This mission is exclusively to Israel, fulfilling covenant promises and preparing the nation for the Messiah.

• Message Priority – "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" summarizes their preaching.

• Radical Dependence – Traveling without extra provisions forces them to rely on God and His people.

• Hospitality as Partnership – Those who receive the apostles share in the blessings of their mission; rejection brings judgment.

Matthew 10:16–23 – Warning of Persecution

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves."

• Shrewd and Innocent – Disciples must combine wise discernment with pure motives.

• Inevitable Opposition – Religious and civil authorities will oppose them.

• Spirit-Given Speech – In moments of trial, the Holy Spirit will supply the needed words.

• Endurance Required – Salvation is linked to persevering in faith through hardship.

🔍 Trusted Insight

RC Sproul notes that this passage is both immediate and prophetic: "While Jesus' instructions were for a specific mission to Israel, His warnings anticipate the Church's ongoing mission in a hostile world." This reminds us that the call to proclaim the kingdom and endure persecution is timeless for Christ's followers.

Summary: The mission to Israel prefigures the global mission of the Church, marked by dependence on God and endurance in the face of opposition.

🧩 Review Questions

1. Why does Jesus limit this initial mission to Israel, and how does it fit into God's redemptive plan?
2. What does the command to travel without extra provisions teach about trust in God?
3. How can believers today apply the call to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves"?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in moments of persecution?

🔍 Definitions

• Apostle – One who is sent; in the New Testament, an authorized representative of Christ.
• Lost Sheep of Israel – A metaphor for God's covenant people in need of spiritual restoration.
• Hospitality – In biblical culture, the practice of welcoming travelers and providing for their needs.

🙋 Application Questions

• How might God be calling you to trust Him more fully in your current ministry or service?
• What "wolves" have you faced, and how has God sustained you through them?
• In what ways can your life reflect the balance of wisdom and innocence Jesus describes?

🔤 Greek Keywords

• ἀπόστολος (apostolos) – One sent forth with authority.
• πρόβατον (probaton) – Sheep; symbolizing vulnerability and dependence on a shepherd.
• ὑπομένω (hypomenō) – To endure, remain steadfast under trial.

📚 Cross References

• Isaiah 53:6 – All we like sheep have gone astray.
• Luke 9:1–6 – Parallel sending of the Twelve.
• Acts 1:8 – Expansion of mission to the ends of the earth.
• 1 Peter 4:12–14 – Rejoicing in sharing Christ's sufferings.
• 2 Timothy 3:12 – All who desire to live godly will face persecution.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → Matthew 10:24–42