Matthew 10:1-15
The Twelve Are Sent
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1And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.
2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’
8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts.
10Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.
11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on.
12As you enter the home, greet its occupants.
13If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it, but if it is not, let your peace return to you.
14And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Berean Standard Bible
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Jesus calls his twelve disciples and gives them authority over unclean spirits and authority to heal every disease and affliction. Matthew names them, including Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, Thomas, and Judas Iscariot. The mission is carried by real people with different histories, gifts, and future choices.
Jesus sends them first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He tells them to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. They have received freely and are to give freely. Their authority is for service, not for building personal status.
He tells them to take no gold, silver or copper, no bag, second tunic, sandals or staff. They are to receive ordinary hospitality from worthy households and remain there rather than moving from house to house for better treatment. The instructions belong to this particular mission; they should not be turned into a universal rule that forbids ordinary support, planning, or wise provision.
Jesus also tells them what to do when a house or town will not receive them: leave and shake off the dust. The gesture marks rejection without authorizing harassment. The messengers are responsible to speak faithfully; they are not responsible to force a response.
Rejecting these messengers is serious because of the message they carry. Jesus says judgment will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for the town that refuses them. The disciples must leave when rejected, but leaving does not make rejection harmless.
Questions
1 What does Jesus give the twelve before sending them?
AnswerHe gives them authority to drive out unclean spirits and heal disease and sickness. Their ability to serve comes from Him.
2 Where are they to go, and what are they to announce?
AnswerThey are to go to Israel’s lost sheep and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near. This particular mission begins with Israel.
3 Why must they give freely?
AnswerThey have received freely from Jesus. His gifts are not theirs to sell or use to make others indebted to them.
4 How can we support people who carry the gospel?
AnswerOffer hospitality, practical provision and prayer. Receive their faithful teaching seriously, remembering whose message they bring.
What This Means for Us
The twelve go with authority they did not create and a message they did not invent. Jesus provides both. Ministry begins with receiving from Him, which leaves no room to treat His gifts as personal property.
Some people travel to preach; others make that work possible by welcoming and providing for them. A meal, a place to stay or help with an ordinary expense can serve the gospel. Give without trying to purchase influence, and receive the message with the seriousness Jesus gives it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for freely giving what we could never supply ourselves. Send faithful messengers, provide for their work, and make us generous hosts and attentive hearers. Amen.