Matthew 10:1-20

The Twelve Disciples; Instructions for Service

¹Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

²Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; and James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who also betrayed Him.

⁵These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans; ⁶but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. ⁹Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, ¹⁰or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. ¹¹And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. ¹²As you enter the house, give it your greeting. ¹³If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. ¹⁴And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.

A Hard Road Ahead of Them

¹⁶“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; ¹⁸and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. ²⁰For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.