Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 10
Matthew Henry Commentary
Matthew 10
Matthew Henry Commentary
Matthew 10
"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. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him." — Matthew 10:1-4 (ASV)
The word “apostle” means messenger; they were Christ's messengers, sent out to proclaim his kingdom. Christ gave them power to heal all kinds of sickness.
In the grace of the gospel, there is a cure for every affliction, a remedy for every illness. There is no spiritual disease, but there is power in Christ to cure it.
Their names are recorded, and this is their honor; yet they had more reason to rejoice that their names were written in heaven, while the high and mighty names of the great ones of the earth are buried in the dust.
"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into [any] way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give. Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; no wallet for [your] journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth. And as ye enter into the house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city." — Matthew 10:5-15 (ASV)
The gospel was not to be brought to the Gentiles until the Jews had refused it. This restraint on the apostles applied only to their first mission. Wherever they went, they were to proclaim, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. They preached to establish faith; they proclaimed the kingdom to animate hope; and they spoke of heaven to inspire a love for heavenly things and contempt for earthly things. The announcement that this kingdom is at hand was intended so that men would prepare for it without delay.
Christ gave them power to work miracles to confirm their doctrine. This is not necessary now that the kingdom of God has come. It showed that the intent of the doctrine they preached was to heal sick souls and to raise those who were dead in sin. In proclaiming the gospel of free grace for the healing and saving of men's souls, we must above all avoid the appearance of the spirit of a hireling.
They were directed what to do in unfamiliar towns and cities. The servant of Christ is the ambassador of peace to whatever place he is sent. His message is for even the vilest sinners, yet it is fitting for him to find out the worthy persons in every place. It is fitting for us to pray sincerely for all and to conduct ourselves courteously toward all.
They were also directed how to act toward those who refused them. The whole counsel of God must be declared, and those who will not attend to the gracious message must be shown that their state is dangerous. This warning should be seriously taken to heart by all who hear the gospel, lest their privileges only serve to increase their condemnation.
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in theirs synagogues they will scourge you; yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name`s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household! Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops. And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father: but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: and a man`s foes [shall be] they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 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. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward." — Matthew 10:16-42 (ASV)
Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave an advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhanded measures. Christ foretold troubles, not only so that the troubles might not be a surprise, but also so that they might confirm their faith. He told them what they would suffer, and from whom.
Thus Christ has dealt fairly and faithfully with us, in telling us the worst we can encounter in his service; and he would have us deal likewise with ourselves, in sitting down and counting the cost. Persecutors are worse than beasts, in that they prey upon those of their own kind. The strongest bonds of love and duty have often been broken through because of enmity against Christ. Sufferings from friends and relations are very grievous; nothing cuts more. It appears plainly, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution; and we must expect to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations.
With these predictions of trouble are counsels and comforts for a time of trial. The disciples of Christ are hated and persecuted as serpents, and their ruin is sought, and they need the serpent's wisdom. Be ye harmless as doves. Not only do no one any harm, but also bear no one any ill will. Prudent care there must be, but not an anxious, perplexing thought; let this care be cast upon God.
The disciples of Christ must think more about how to do well than how to speak well. In case of great peril, the disciples of Christ may go out of the way of danger, though they must not go out of the way of duty. No sinful, unlawful means may be used to escape; for then it is not a door of God's opening. The fear of man brings a snare—a perplexing snare, which disturbs our peace, and an entangling snare, by which we are drawn into sin—and therefore, it must be striven and prayed against. Tribulation, distress, and persecution cannot take away God's love to them, or their love to him.
Fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. They must deliver their message publicly, for all are deeply concerned with the doctrine of the gospel. The whole counsel of God must be made known (Acts 20:27). Christ shows them why they should be of good cheer. Their sufferings witnessed against those who oppose his gospel.
When God calls us to speak for him, we may depend on him to teach us what to say. A believing prospect of the end of our troubles will be of great use to support us under them. They may be borne to the end, because the sufferers shall be borne up under them. The strength shall be according to the day.
And it is great encouragement to those who are doing Christ's work that it is a work which shall certainly be done. See how the care of Providence extends to all creatures, even to the sparrows. This should silence all the fears of God's people: Ye are of more value than many sparrows. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
This denotes the account God takes and keeps of his people. It is our duty not only to believe in Christ, but also to profess that faith, in suffering for him when we are called to it, as well as in serving him. Only the denial of Christ that is persisted in is meant here; and only the confession that is the real and constant language of faith and love can have the blessed recompense promised here. Religion is worth everything; all who believe its truth will meet the price and make everything else yield to it.
Christ will lead us through sufferings to glory with him. Those are best prepared for the life to come who are least attached to this present life. Though the kindness done to Christ's disciples may be ever so small, yet if there is an occasion for it and ability to do no more, it shall be accepted. Christ does not say that they deserve a reward; for we cannot merit anything from the hand of God; but they shall receive a reward from the free gift of God.
Let us boldly confess Christ, and show love to him in all things.
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