Matthew 10

The Twelve Apostles (10:1-4)

A. In the last part of Mt 9 Jesus felt compassion for the lost. In answer to that need Jesus made the twelve laborers into the harvest.
1. The twelve were first disciples before they became apostles.
a. Disciple means learner, student, follower; apostle means “one sent out.”
b. The difference of the two is a matter of authority. The twelve became apostles when they received the authority from Jesus.
c. They were given authority over unclean spirits, and sicknesses.
2. We do not have definite answer as to the reason why the apostles were twelve in number.

Sending Out the Twelve (10:5-15)

A. This mission is commonly called as “the limited commission” because the area of the apostles was limited only to the Jews, they were not
allowed to go to the Gentiles nor to the Samaritans. Their ministry was:
1. To preach the same theme John the Baptist and Jesus preached.
2. To heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.
B. The apostles were commanded not to bring any provisions for themselves. They were to rely upon the hospitality of the Jews because the
Jews knew their responsibility of providing food for their religious teachers.
C. However there were some who will receive not their words. The apostles were told to shake off the dust of their feet, a symbolic gesture of
rejection.
1. Sodom and Gomorrah were cities of proverbial wickedness both to the Jews before and even to the Christians today, but those who will
not receive the gospel were considered as more wicked than these cities.

Persecutions Are Coming (10:16-26)

A. Because of the persecutions around, the apostles were told to be wise as serpent and harmless as dove. Serpent was considered a symbol
of wisdom among the ancients while dove represents purity. The apostles must be clever as serpents yet pure as doves.
B. Jesus continued that they will be brought to Jewish powers (councils and synagogues) then to Gentile powers (governors and kings). The
apostles will give testimony to them as they will be moved by the Holy Spirit.
C. Our Lord’s disciples shall receive the same type of opposition, hatred, and persecution that He received. Jesus did not promise to them
physical deliverance, they might die but “he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God (10:27-31)

A. Our Lord told His disciples to fear God rather than man for a simple reason that man cannot kill the soul. Man can bring physical death, but
God can bring both physical and spiritual death. With this in mind the disciples were told to become bold in proclaiming the gospel.
B. Then Jesus encouraged the disciples that God would be with them. He had been with the sparrows how much more to man.

Confess Christ Before Men (10:32-33)

A. To confess Jesus means to make Him the object of our faith and life. It is unto salvation. It is a concise summary of all Christian doctrine,
that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God.
B. To deny Jesus is to disown Him as Master for fear of man. It is unto condemnation. One may also deny Christ by works (Tit. 1:16).

Christ Brings Division (10:34-39)

A. Jesus is the Prince of peace (Isa. 9:6). He came to bring peace with God and man (Eph. 2:14). But not all men will follow Him. In one sense
He came to bring a sword: to separate the righteous from the wicked, the obedient from the disobedient.
1. This is one of the reason of broken family ties—religious differences.
2. But our tie to Christ must always be our first priority and earthly ties must take only the second place.

A Cup of Cold Water (10:40-42)

A. Receiving the apostles is equivalent to receiving Christ; receiving Christ is equivalent to receiving God. Even a small cup of water or a very
small service given to the disciple of Christ, it would be recognized in heaven and be given a just reward.