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 at hand, 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 not to accumulate gold, silver, or copper, and not to prepare extra bags, tunics, sandals, or a 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.
Ask what would change if your household understood spiritual gifts as something received for service rather than status. The answer may involve hospitality, generosity, healing care, truth-telling, or the humility to leave a conversation when it has become coercive.
How We Know
Matthew places this unit inside a Gospel that repeatedly connects Jesus' work with Israel's Scriptures. The surrounding context matters: the evangelist is not collecting detached sayings, but presenting a remembered ministry in which promise, fulfillment, and response belong together. In Matthew 10:1-15, Matthew's account can be read beside Mark 3-6 and Luke 6-8, while the servant language in Isaiah 42 helps explain the evangelist's claim about Jesus.
Questions
1 What authority and mission does Jesus give the Twelve?
AnswerIt shows Jesus giving the twelve authority and sending them to serve Israel by proclaiming the kingdom and caring for suffering people. Their mission is generous, dependent on hospitality, and bounded by the freedom of those who receive or reject it.
2 Why are the Twelve sent first to Israel's lost sheep?
AnswerJesus sends the Twelve first to Israel's lost sheep because Israel is the covenant people to whom His ministry and kingdom promises were given. The mission begins there before the gospel is carried to the Gentiles.
3 What does Jesus' instruction about rejection say about coercion?
AnswerIt calls us to use whatever gifts we have for service, receive hospitality gratefully, and respect another person's freedom to receive or reject our message. Faithful witness is not coercion.
4 What gift or hospitality can our household offer freely?
AnswerChoose one gift, resource, or form of hospitality your household can offer freely. Give it without demanding control in return, and practice leaving a resistant conversation rather than escalating pressure.
What This Means for Us
Jesus gives authority to the twelve so that they can serve, not so that they can make themselves indispensable. That distinction matters in families and churches. A gift becomes dangerous when it is used to demand admiration, access, money, or obedience from the people it was meant to help.
The instructions about travel also teach dependence without condemning ordinary preparation. Some callings require careful planning, professional training, or material support. The enduring principle is that ministry is not a private possession and should not be turned into a business of spiritual control.
Choose one way to offer help freely this week. If the help is not welcomed, respect the answer and entrust the outcome to God rather than trying to force gratitude.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving your servants gifts for the good of others. Keep our household generous without being controlling, dependent without being careless, and faithful enough to speak truth while respecting another person's freedom. Amen.