MAT 10

Jesus Calls the Twelve Disciples

Mk. 3:13-19; Lk. 6:12-16

1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples together and gave them delegated authority over unclean spirits—the supernatural power to cast them out—and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness that afflicted the people.

2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles whom He commissioned: first in prominence, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Canaanite, who had been a zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Him to death.

Jesus Commissioned the Twelve

Mk. 6:7-13; Lk. 9:1-6

5 Jesus sent out these twelve apostles with specific and detailed instructions, saying, "Do not take the road that leads to Gentile territory, and do not enter into any city of the Samaritans,

6 but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel—to God's own chosen people who have wandered away from Him like sheep without a shepherd.

7 As you travel from place to place, preach and proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has drawn near—God's rule and reign is at hand and breaking into history.'

8 Heal the sick to demonstrate God's power, raise the dead to show authority over death, cleanse those afflicted with leprosy, cast out demons to display victory over evil. You received this supernatural power freely as a gift from God, so give it freely to others without charging for your ministry.

9 Do not acquire or take with you gold, silver, or copper coins to put in your money belts for this journey,

10 or a traveller’s bag for provisions for the journey, or an extra tunic beyond what you are wearing, or sandals, or a walking staff—for the worker deserves to receive his support and provision from those he serves.

11 Whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy and receptive to your message, and stay in that hospitable home until you leave the area.

12 When you enter a house, extend your greeting of peace to it, blessing the household.

13 If the household proves worthy and receptive to your message, let your peace rest upon it and remain there; but if it is not worthy or receptive, let your peace return to you and withdraw your blessing.

14 If anyone refuses to welcome you or to listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet as a solemn testimony against them and their rejection.

15 I assure you with absolute certainty and solemnity, it will be more tolerable and bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city that rejects the gospel message.

The Apostles Will Be Persecuted

Mk. 13:9-13; Lk. 21:12-17

16 "Listen carefully to what I am telling you: I am sending you out as vulnerable and defenceless sheep in the midst of vicious wolves. Therefore, you must be as shrewd and wise as serpents in avoiding danger, yet as harmless and innocent as doves in your conduct and motives.

17 But be on your guard and constantly vigilant against people, for they will hand you over to religious courts and councils, and they will flog you severely in their synagogues as punishment.

18 You will be brought and dragged before governors and kings because of your allegiance to Me and your testimony about Me, and this will serve as a testimony and witness to them and to the Gentile nations.

19 But when they arrest you and hand you over to the authorities, do not be anxious or worried about how you should speak or what you should say in your defense, for the words you need will be given to you at that very moment by the Holy Spirit.

20 For it will not really be you speaking in your own wisdom and strength, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you and giving you the words to say.

21 Brother will betray his own brother to death, and a father will betray his own child to the authorities; children will rise up in rebellion against their parents and have them put to death.

22 You will be hated by everyone in society because of your association with My name and your identification with Me. But the one who endures faithfully to the end without renouncing Me—this person will be saved and delivered.

23 When they persecute you in one city, flee quickly to another city for safety. I tell you the truth with certainty, you will not have finished going through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes in judgment or in glory.

24 "A disciple is not superior to or above his teacher, nor is a servant superior to or above his master.

25 It is enough and sufficient for the disciple to become like his teacher in character and experience, and for the servant to become like his master. If they have called the head of the household Beelzebul—slandering him as the prince of demons—how much more will they malign and slander the members of his household with even worse names?

Fear Only God

Lk. 12:2-7

26 "Therefore, do not be intimidated by their threats, for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be brought to light.

27 What I tell you privately in the darkness, speak openly and boldly in the light of day; and what you hear whispered privately in your ear in secret, proclaim boldly and publicly from the housetops for all to hear.

28 Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but are powerless to kill the soul. Instead, fear the One—God Himself—who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell, the place of eternal judgment.

29 Are not two sparrows—insignificant birds—sold for just a penny, the smallest Roman coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground and dies without your Father's knowledge, permission, and sovereign care.

30 Even the very hairs on your head have all been counted individually—God knows you intimately and completely down to the smallest detail.

31 Therefore, do not be afraid or anxious; you are worth far more to God than many sparrows.

Acknowledging Christ Before Men

Lk. 12:8-9

32 "Therefore, everyone who publicly acknowledges Me and confesses Me before others without shame, I will also acknowledge him and confess him before My Father who is in heaven.

33 But whoever denies and rejects Me before others out of fear or shame, I will also deny him and reject him before My Father who is in heaven.

Jesus Comes to the Earth to Bring a Sword

Lk. 12:51-53; 14:26-27

34 "Do not think or assume that I came to bring peace on the earth in this present age. I did not come to bring peace and unity, but a sword—causing division and conflict over allegiance to Me.

35 For I came to set a man in opposition against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law when they must choose between family loyalty and loyalty to Me.

36 A person's enemies and opponents will often be the members of his own household who reject the gospel.

37 The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me and cannot be My true disciple, and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me and cannot follow Me fully.

38 And whoever refuses to take up his cross—accepting suffering, rejection, and self-denial—and follow Me in obedient discipleship is not worthy of Me and cannot be My disciple.

39 The one who tries to preserve his life and save it by denying Me will lose it eternally, but the one who loses his life for My sake and the gospel will find true and eternal life.

Rewards

40 "The one who receives you as My representatives receives Me, and the one who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me into the world.

41 The one who receives a prophet because he recognises him as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward from God, and the one who receives a righteous person because he recognises him as righteous will receive a righteous person's reward.

42 And whoever gives even just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones—the least significant of My disciples—because he is My disciple and follower, I assure you with certainty, he will certainly not lose his reward but will be recompensed by God."

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