Matthew Chapter 10 – Commentary and Explanation Bible Study
Matthew chapter 10 is one of those chapters that really feels like Jesus is preparing His disciples for a mission. It's not just some casual talk. It's instructions. It's like when a teacher gets his students ready before they go out to do a project, except here the stakes are eternal. In this chapter, Jesus selects the twelve apostles, gives them authority, sends them out, warns them about persecutions, and promises them rewards. It’s long and very deep, and honestly sometimes a bit uncomfortable to read, because it reminds us that following Christ is not always easy. But it's beautiful too. So let's go step by step through it.
Verses 1-4 – The Choosing of the Twelve
The chapter starts with Jesus calling His twelve disciples and giving them authority to drive out unclean spirits and heal every disease. The names are then listed: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
It’s kind of cool that each Gospel lists them a little differently but here Matthew is being very specific. And notice, it doesn’t say these men were the smartest or richest. They were ordinary. Some were fishermen, one was a tax collector, another a zealot. That’s the beauty of Jesus choosing them. He doesn’t need perfect resumes. He takes ordinary people, then gives them extraordinary authority through His Spirit.
It should remind us: God often calls regular folks. People like us. We don’t need to be highly qualified to be used by Him. Obedience is more important than human qualification.
Verses 5-15 – Instructions for the Mission
Jesus sends the twelve with some specific commands. He tells them: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” At first this may sound a little harsh. Why not the Gentiles? But we have to remember, Jesus’ earthly ministry was primarily to Israel first. The larger mission to the whole world would come later, especially after the resurrection (see Matthew 28, the Great Commission).
They were to proclaim: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That was the heart of the message. And along with preaching, they were to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. And they were not to take payment. “Freely you have received, freely give.” That’s a principle we can still hold to today. Ministry is not about profit. It’s about service.
Jesus also tells them not to take gold or silver, no bag for the journey, no extra shirt. Basically, they were to trust God for provision. That sounds scary in our modern world. We like backup plans, security nets. But here Jesus is saying: go and trust. People who are worthy will welcome you, and if a house is worthy, let your peace rest on it. If not, shake the dust off your feet. That act was symbolic, showing a separation from those who reject the message.
It’s a reminder that when we share God’s Word, not everyone will accept it. Some will reject, maybe even mock. But we don’t carry the weight of saving them. We carry the message faithfully, and leave the results to God.
Verses 16-25 – Warning of Persecution
Now comes the heavy part. Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat. He says: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” That’s not exactly comforting. Sheep are vulnerable, wolves are dangerous. But He tells them to be “shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.” In other words, be wise but also pure in motives.
He warns them that they’ll be handed over to councils, flogged in synagogues, dragged before governors and kings. Families will even turn against them. Brothers betraying brothers, children against parents. The cost is real. The early disciples literally faced this. And many Christians today still face it in certain parts of the world.
But Jesus says: “When they arrest you, do not worry what to say. The Spirit of your Father will speak through you.” That’s so comforting. God doesn’t just send us into trials alone. He equips us in the moment. The Spirit gives the words, the courage.
Jesus also reminds them: if they called Him Beelzebul (which means prince of demons), how much more will they insult His followers? So if we face rejection or slander for following Him, we shouldn’t be shocked. It’s part of the path.
Verses 26-33 – Fear God, Not Man
Then Jesus shifts to encouragement. “Do not be afraid of them.” Everything hidden will be revealed. What He whispers in the ear, they should proclaim from the rooftops. And then one of the most powerful reminders: Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
It’s perspective. The worst the world can do is kill the body. But God has eternal authority. And here’s the balance: God also cares for sparrows, and He says we are worth much more than many sparrows. Even the hairs of our head are numbered. So yes, fear God, but also trust His care.
He also says: If we acknowledge Him before others, He will acknowledge us before the Father. But if we deny Him, He will deny us. That’s sobering. Faith is not just private, it’s public too.
Verses 34-39 – Not Peace, But a Sword
This section surprises people. We often think Jesus came to bring peace. And in a sense He did (peace with God). But He says here: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
What does that mean? It’s not about violence. It’s about division. Following Jesus sometimes divides families, friendships, communities. He even says a man’s enemies will be members of his own household. Loyalty to Christ comes first, even above family. That’s a tough pill. In many cultures, family is everything. But Jesus is clear: anyone who loves father or mother more than Him is not worthy of Him. Anyone who doesn’t take up their cross and follow is not worthy.
The cross, at that time, was not a piece of jewelry. It was an instrument of death. So Jesus is basically saying: be ready to lay down your life. And then comes the paradox: whoever finds their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for His sake will find it. True life is found in surrender.
Verses 40-42 – Rewards for Receiving
The chapter closes with a word of encouragement. Whoever receives the disciples receives Jesus. And whoever receives Jesus receives the One who sent Him (the Father). Even a small act of kindness, like giving a cup of cold water to one of His little ones, will not go unrewarded. That’s beautiful. God sees even the small acts.
So the mission is hard. There’s rejection, persecution, division. But there’s also reward, assurance, God’s presence, and eternal life.
Reflections and Application
Matthew 10 is both challenging and inspiring. It shows us that being a disciple is not a walk in the park. It’s costly. But it’s worth it. Here are some key takeaways for us today:
God calls ordinary people. Don’t think you’re too unqualified to serve. The disciples were ordinary too.
The message is urgent. The kingdom of heaven is still near. We’re still called to proclaim it.
Trust God for provision. While it doesn’t mean we all quit jobs, it does mean we should live with dependence on God, not greed.
Expect rejection. Not everyone will accept the gospel. Don’t let that discourage you.
Be wise and pure. Balance discernment with innocence.
Fear God above men. Only God has eternal authority.
Christ comes first. Above family, above comfort, above self.
Small acts matter. Even giving a cup of water in His name counts in eternity.
This chapter stretches us. It asks: are we willing to really follow? Or do we only want the easy parts of faith? Jesus doesn’t promise comfort. He promises presence. He doesn’t promise safety. He promises eternal life. And in the end, that’s far better.
Conclusion
Matthew 10 is like a manual for discipleship and mission. It’s Jesus giving straight talk. He doesn’t hide the costs, but He also highlights the rewards. For us today, it’s a reminder to live boldly, faithfully, and simply for Him.
It’s not easy. Sometimes it feels scary. Sometimes we’ll be misunderstood. Sometimes even family won’t get it. But Jesus is worth it. His kingdom is worth it. Eternal life is worth it.
So maybe the question for us is: are we ready to take up our cross, follow Him, and trust His words? Even when it’s hard? Even when it costs? Because in the losing, we find real life.
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