He
who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:40-42
Matthew 10 [29.] “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10 [34.] “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.”
Matthew 11 [1.] When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
Meaning:
Jesus ends his instructions to the twelve on a note of encouragement. He has warned them of rejection, persecution and division even within families, and called them to take up their cross (Matthew 10:38-39). Now he speaks of those who will welcome them. Not everyone will reject the messengers, and those who receive them will be richly rewarded. With these words Matthew closes the second great block of Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 11:1).
- “He who receives you receives me”
In the ancient world a messenger represented the one who sent him. To welcome an ambassador was to welcome his king; to insult him was to insult the king. Jesus says his disciples carry his authority. Whoever welcomes them welcomes Jesus, and whoever welcomes Jesus welcomes God the Father who sent him. Jesus repeated this at the Last Supper: “he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me” (John 13:20). Elsewhere he said the same about welcoming a little child in his name (Mark 9:37).
- “a prophet’s reward”
To receive a prophet “in the name of a prophet” means to welcome him because he is God’s messenger. Such a person shares in the prophet’s reward, even if he never preaches himself. The Old Testament gives examples. The widow of Zarephath gave Elijah her last meal and shelter, and God kept her and her son alive and later restored the boy to life (1 Kings 17:22). A woman of Shunem built a small room for Elisha and was blessed with a son (2 Kings 4:8-17).
- “a righteous man’s reward”
Not every disciple is a prophet. Some are simply righteous people, faithful followers of God. Those who support them also share in their reward. In God’s eyes, those who make the work possible are partners in it.
- “just a cup of cold water”
The smallest kindness counts. In a hot land, a cup of cold water was a simple but welcome gift that anyone could give. The words “these little ones” mean the disciples themselves, humble and without status in the eyes of the world. Whoever helps them because they belong to Jesus “will in no way lose his reward.” Mark records the same promise: “For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward” (Mark 9:41).
The Significance of Matthew 10:40-42
- Every kindness matters
No act of love done for Jesus’ sake is too small for God to notice. In the final judgment the King will say, “because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
- Partners in the work
Those who support missionaries, pastors and ordinary believers with hospitality, prayer and gifts share in their work and reward. “For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name” (Hebrews 6:10).
- Welcoming Jesus in his people
How we treat Jesus’ followers is how we treat Jesus. Hospitality to fellow believers and to strangers is a way of welcoming him.
Cross-References:
John 13:20: "he who receives whomever I send, receives me;" The messenger represents Jesus.
Mark 9:41: "For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s," Mark’s parallel.
Matthew 25:40: "you did it to me." Kindness to Jesus’ brothers is kindness to him.
Hebrews 13:2: "Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers," The call to hospitality.
Conclusion: Jesus closed his mission instructions with a promise. Whoever receives his messengers receives him and the Father who sent him. Those who welcome a prophet or a righteous man share in their reward, and even a cup of cold water given to one of his little ones will not go unrewarded. Every kindness done for Jesus’ sake matters to God.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible