John Calvin Commentary Matthew 10:41

"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet`s reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man`s reward." — Matthew 10:41 (ASV)

He who receiveth a prophet—He begins with the prophets, but eventually comes down to the lowest rank, and embraces all His disciples. In this manner, He commends all, without exception, who truly worship God and love the gospel. To receive a person in the name of a prophet, or in the name of a righteous man, means to do them good for the sake of honoring their doctrine, or of paying respect to piety. Though God commands us to perform acts of kindness to all mankind, yet He justly elevates His people to a higher rank, that they may be the objects of special regard and esteem.

Shall receive a prophet’s reward—This clause is variously interpreted by commentators. Some think that it denotes a mutual compensation, or, in other words, that spiritual benefits are bestowed on the prophets of God instead of temporal benefits. But if this interpretation is admitted, what shall we say is meant by the righteous man’s reward? Others understand it to mean that those who are kind to them will partake of the same reward that is reserved for prophets and righteous men. Some refer it to the fellowship of saints and suppose it to mean that, as by our kind actions we give evidence that we are one body with the servants of Christ, so in this way we become sharers of all the blessings which Christ imparts to the members of His body.

I consider it simply as denoting the reward that corresponds to the rank of the person to whom kindness has been shown, for Christ means that this will be a remarkable proof of the high esteem in which He holds His prophets, and indeed all His disciples. The greatness of the reward will make it evident that not one act of kindness ever done to them has been forgotten.

By way of amplification, He promises a reward for the very humblest acts of kindness, such as giving them a cup of cold water. He gives the name of little ones not only to those who occupy the lowest place or are held in lowest esteem in the Church, but to all His disciples, whom the pride of the world tramples underfoot.