Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 10:1

"And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness." — Matthew 10:1 (ASV)

And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

They were first Christ's disciples, and then he sent them out as his apostles, clothed with power and authority very similar to his own.

See the way of making apostles. They were first disciples and afterwards teachers of others. They were specially His and then they were given to be a blessing to men. They were called unto him and thus their higher call came to them. In the presence of their Lord, they received their equipment, and gave them power. Is that so with us in our own special office? Let us come to Him that we may be clothed with His authority and girded with His strength.

Their power was miraculous, but it was an imitation of their Lord’s, and the words applied to it are very much the same as we have seen used to describe His miracles of healing. The twelve were made to represent their Lord. We, too, may be enabled to do what Jesus did among men. Oh, for such an endowment!

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

See the way of making apostles. They were first disciples, and afterwards teachers of others: they were specially his, and then they were given to be a blessing to men. They were "called unto him"; and thus their higher call came to them. In the presence of their Lord they received their equipment: "He gave them power."

Is that so with us in our own special office? Let us come to him, that we may be clothed with his authority and girded with his strength.

Their power was miraculous; but it was an imitation of their Lord's, and the words applied to it are very much the same as we have seen in use about his miracles of healing. The twelve were made to represent their Lord. We, too, may be enabled to do what Jesus did among men. Oh, for such an endowment!