Jesus
sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Matthew 10:5-8
Matthew 10 [1.] He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Matthew 10 [5.] Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. As you enter into the household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Matthew 10 [16.] “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Meaning:
Jesus had chosen twelve disciples and given them authority over unclean spirits and every disease (Matthew 10:1-4). Now he sends them out on their first mission. These verses tell them where to go, what to say and what to do, and in what spirit to do it. Mark and Luke record shorter versions of the same instructions (Mark 6:7-11; Luke 9:1-6).
- “Don’t go among the Gentiles”
This instruction can surprise readers, because the Gospel ends with Jesus sending his followers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The restriction was for this first mission only. God had made his promises to Israel, and the Messiah came first to them. Jesus himself said, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Paul expressed the same order: the Good News is “the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
The Samaritans were a mixed people living between Judea and Galilee, with their own temple and version of the law. Jews and Samaritans avoided each other (John 4:9). After the resurrection the gospel would go to them too: “You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
- “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”
Jesus had just seen the crowds “like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Through Jeremiah God had lamented, “My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray” (Jeremiah 50:6). The whole nation, not just the openly sinful, needed to be found and brought home.
- “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
The disciples’ message was the same as that of John the Baptist and of Jesus himself (Matthew 4:17). God’s rule was breaking into the world in the person of Jesus. Matthew usually says “Kingdom of Heaven” where the other Gospels say “Kingdom of God”, following the Jewish custom of speaking of God respectfully.
- “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons”
The disciples were to do the same works Jesus had done in chapters 8 and 9. Their deeds would show that the message was true. Word and action belonged together: the Kingdom was announced and also demonstrated.
- “Freely you received, so freely give.”
The disciples had not paid for their authority, and they were not to sell it. Religious teachers and healers sometimes charged for their services. The apostles were to give without charge. Peter later showed this spirit when he told a lame beggar, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you” (Acts 3:6).
The Significance of Matthew 10:5-8
- God’s plan has an order
The mission to Israel first was not narrow-mindedness but faithfulness to God’s promises. From Israel, the blessing would flow to all nations, as God had always intended (Isaiah 49:6).
- Word and deed together
Followers of Jesus are called both to speak the Good News and to show God’s care in practical ways. One without the other is incomplete.
- Generosity in service
Everything we have received from God, forgiveness, gifts and abilities, has been given freely. That grace should make us generous, serving others without looking for personal gain.
Cross-References:
Matthew 15:24: "I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Jesus’ own mission to Israel.
Acts 1:8: "You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." The later, worldwide mission.
Romans 1:16: "for the Jew first, and also for the Greek." The order of the gospel’s spread.
Acts 3:6: "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you." Freely giving in practice.
Conclusion: Jesus sent the twelve first to the lost sheep of Israel, not yet to Gentiles or Samaritans. They were to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and to show it by healing the sick, cleansing lepers and casting out demons. Having received freely, they were to give freely. The mission that began with Israel would later reach the whole world, and the same spirit of free, generous service still marks Jesus’ messengers.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible