1 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.
2 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;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come 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.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37 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.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
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.
42 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.
1 And G2532 when he had called G4341 unto him his G846 twelve G1427 disciples, G3101 he gave G1325 them G846 power G1849 against unclean G169 spirits, G4151 to G5620 cast G1544 them G846 out, G1544 and G2532 to heal G2323 all manner G3956 of sickness G3554 and G2532 all manner G3956 of disease. G3119
2 Now G1161 the names G3686 of the twelve G1427 apostles G652 are G2076 these; G5023 The first, G4413 Simon, G4613 who G3588 is called G3004 Peter, G4074 and G2532 Andrew G406 his G846 brother; G80 James G2385 the son of G3588 Zebedee, G2199 and G2532 John G2491 his G846 brother; G80
3 Philip, G5376 and G2532 Bartholomew; G918 Thomas, G2381 and G2532 Matthew G3156 the publican; G5057 James G2385 the son of G3588 Alphaeus, G256 and G2532 Lebbaeus, G3002 whose surname was G1941 Thaddaeus; G2280
4 Simon G4613 the Canaanite, G2581 and G2532 Judas G2455 Iscariot, G2469 who G3588 also G2532 betrayed G3860 him. G846
5 These G5128 twelve G1427 Jesus G2424 sent forth, G649 and commanded G3853 them, G846 saying, G3004 Go G565 not G3361 into G1519 the way G3598 of the Gentiles, G1484 and G2532 into G1519 any city G4172 of the Samaritans G4541 enter ye G1525 not: G3361
6 But G1161 go G4198 rather G3123 to G4314 the lost G622 sheep G4263 of the house G3624 of Israel. G2474
7 And G1161 as ye go, G4198 preach, G2784 saying, G3004 G3754 The kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is at hand. G1448
8 Heal G2323 the sick, G770 cleanse G2511 the lepers, G3015 raise G1453 the dead, G3498 cast out G1544 devils: G1140 freely G1432 ye have received, G2983 freely G1432 give. G1325
9 Provide G2932 neither G3361 gold, G5557 nor G3366 silver, G696 nor G3366 brass G5475 in G1519 your G5216 purses, G2223
10 Nor G3361 scrip G4082 for G1519 your journey, G3598 neither G3366 two G1417 coats, G5509 neither G3366 shoes, G5266 nor G3366 yet staves: G4464 for G1063 the workman G2040 is G2076 worthy G514 of his G846 meat. G5160
11 And G1161 into G1519 whatsoever G302 G3739 city G4172 or G2228 town G2968 ye shall enter, G1525 enquire G1833 who G5101 in G1722 it G846 is G2076 worthy; G514 and there G2546 abide G3306 till G302 G2193 ye go thence. G1831
12 And G1161 when ye come G1525 into G1519 an house, G3614 salute G782 it. G846
13 And G2532 if G1437 G3303 the house G3614 be G5600 worthy, G514 let your G5216 peace G1515 come G2064 upon G1909 it: G846 but G1161 if G3362 it be G5600 not G3362 worthy, G514 let your G5216 peace G1515 return G1994 to G4314 you. G5209
14 And G2532 whosoever G3739 shall G1209 not G3362 receive G1209 you, G5209 nor G3366 hear G191 your G5216 words, G3056 when ye depart out G1831 of that G1565 house G3614 or G2228 city, G4172 shake off G1621 the dust G2868 of your G5216 feet. G4228
15 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 It shall be G2071 more tolerable G414 for the land G1093 of Sodom G4670 and G2532 Gomorrha G1116 in G1722 the day G2250 of judgment, G2920 than G2228 for that G1565 city. G4172
16 Behold, G2400 I G1473 send G649 you G5209 forth G649 as G5613 sheep G4263 in G1722 the midst G3319 of wolves: G3074 be ye G1096 therefore G3767 wise G5429 as G5613 serpents, G3789 and G2532 harmless G185 as G5613 doves. G4058
17 But G1161 beware G4337 of G575 men: G444 for G1063 they will deliver G3860 you G5209 up G3860 to G1519 the councils, G4892 and G2532 they will scourge G3146 you G5209 in G1722 their G846 synagogues; G4864
18 And G2532 ye shall be brought G71 before G1909 governors G2232 and G2532 G1161 kings G935 for my G1752 sake, G1700 for G1519 a testimony G3142 against them G846 and G2532 the Gentiles. G1484
19 But G1161 when G3752 they deliver G3860 you G5209 up, G3860 take G3309 no G3361 thought G3309 how G4459 or G2228 what G5101 ye shall speak: G2980 for G1063 it shall be given G1325 you G5213 in G1722 that same G1565 hour G5610 what G5101 ye shall speak. G2980
20 For G1063 it is G2075 not G3756 ye G5210 that speak, G2980 but G235 the Spirit G4151 of your G5216 Father G3962 which G3588 speaketh G2980 in G1722 you. G5213
21 And G1161 the brother G80 shall deliver up G3860 the brother G80 to G1519 death, G2288 and G2532 the father G3962 the child: G5043 and G2532 the children G5043 shall rise up G1881 against G1909 their parents, G1118 and G2532 cause G2289 them G846 to be put to death. G2289
22 And G2532 ye shall G2071 be hated G3404 of G5259 all G3956 men for G1223 my G3450 name's sake: G3686 but G1161 he that G3778 endureth G5278 to G1519 the end G5056 shall be saved. G4982
23 But G1161 when G3752 they persecute G1377 you G5209 in G1722 this G5026 city, G4172 flee ye G5343 into G1519 another: G243 for G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Ye shall G5055 not G3364 have gone over G5055 the cities G4172 of Israel, G2474 till G2193 the Son G5207 of man G444 be G302 come. G2064
24 The disciple G3101 is G2076 not G3756 above G5228 his master, G1320 nor G3761 the servant G1401 above G5228 his G846 lord. G2962
25 It is enough G713 for the disciple G3101 that G2443 he be G1096 as G5613 his G846 master, G1320 and G2532 the servant G1401 as G5613 his G846 lord. G2962 If G1487 they have called G2564 the master of the house G3617 Beelzebub, G954 how much G4214 more G3123 shall they call them of his G846 household? G3615
26 Fear G5399 them G846 not G3361 therefore: G3767 for G1063 there is G2076 nothing G3762 covered, G2572 that G3739 shall G601 not G3756 be revealed; G601 and G2532 hid, G2927 that G3739 shall G1097 not G3756 be known. G1097
27 What G3739 I tell G3004 you G5213 in G1722 darkness, G4653 that speak ye G2036 in G1722 light: G5457 and G2532 what G3739 ye hear G191 in G1519 the ear, G3775 that preach ye G2784 upon G1909 the housetops. G1430
28 And G2532 fear G5399 G575 not G3361 them which G3588 kill G615 the body, G4983 but G1161 are G1410 not G3361 able G1410 to kill G615 the soul: G5590 but G1161 rather G3123 fear G5399 him which G3588 is able G1410 to destroy G622 both G2532 soul G5590 and G2532 body G4983 in G1722 hell. G1067
29 Are G4453 not G3780 two G1417 sparrows G4765 sold G4453 for a farthing? G787 and G2532 one G1520 of G1537 them G846 shall G4098 not G3756 fall G4098 on G1909 the ground G1093 without G427 your G5216 Father. G3962
30 But G1161 the very G2532 hairs G2359 of your G5216 head G2776 are G1526 all G3956 numbered. G705
31 Fear ye G5399 not G3361 therefore, G3767 ye G5210 are of more value G1308 than many G4183 sparrows. G4765
32 Whosoever G3956 G3748 therefore G3767 shall confess G3670 G1722 me G1698 before G1715 men, G444 G1722 him G846 will I confess G3670 also G2504 before G1715 my G3450 Father G3962 which G3588 is in G1722 heaven. G3772
33 But G1161 whosoever G3748 shall G302 deny G720 me G3165 before G1715 men, G444 him G846 will I also G2504 deny G720 before G1715 my G3450 Father G3962 which G3588 is in G1722 heaven. G3772
34 Think G3543 not G3361 that G3754 I am come G2064 to send G906 peace G1515 on G1909 earth: G1093 I came G2064 not G3756 to send G906 peace, G1515 but G235 a sword. G3162
35 For G1063 I am come G2064 to set G1369 a man G444 at variance G1369 against G2596 his G846 father, G3962 and G2532 the daughter G2364 against G2596 her G846 mother, G3384 and G2532 the daughter in law G3565 against G2596 her G846 mother in law. G3994
36 And G2532 a man's G444 foes G2190 shall be they of his own G846 household. G3615
37 He that loveth G5368 father G3962 or G2228 mother G3384 more than G5228 me G1691 is G2076 not G3756 worthy G514 of me: G3450 and G2532 he that loveth G5368 son G5207 or G2228 daughter G2364 more than G5228 me G1691 is G2076 not G3756 worthy G514 of me. G3450
38 And G2532 he G3739 that taketh G2983 not G3756 his G846 cross, G4716 and G2532 followeth G190 after G3694 me, G3450 is G2076 not G3756 worthy G514 of me. G3450
39 He that findeth G2147 his G846 life G5590 shall lose G622 it: G846 and G2532 he that loseth G622 his G846 life G5590 for my G1700 sake G1752 shall find G2147 it. G846
40 He that receiveth G1209 you G5209 receiveth G1209 me, G1691 and G2532 he that receiveth G1209 me G1691 receiveth G1209 him that sent G649 me. G3165
41 He that receiveth G1209 a prophet G4396 in G1519 the name G3686 of a prophet G4396 shall receive G2983 a prophet's G4396 reward; G3408 and G2532 he that receiveth G2983 a righteous man G1342 in G1519 the name G3686 of a righteous man G1342 shall receive G1209 a righteous man's G1342 reward. G3408
42 And G2532 whosoever G3739 G1437 shall give to drink G4222 unto one G1520 of these G5130 little ones G3398 a cup G4221 of cold G5593 water only G3440 in G1519 the name G3686 of a disciple, G3101 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 he shall in no wise G3364 lose G622 his G846 reward. G3408
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.
2 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;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the `son' of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5 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:
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.
9 Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;
10 no wallet for `your' journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.
11 And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth.
12 And as ye enter into the house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 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.
15 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.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in theirs synagogues they will scourge you;
18 yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 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.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.
21 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.
22 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.
23 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.
24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
25 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!
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.
28 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.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:
30 but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
34 Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 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:
36 and a man's foes `shall be' they of his own household.
37 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.
38 And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
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.
42 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.
1 And having called to him his twelve disciples, he gave to them power over unclean spirits, so as to be casting them out, and to be healing every sickness, and every malady.
2 And of the twelve apostles the names are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax-gatherer; James of Alpheus, and Lebbeus who was surnamed Thaddeus;
4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who did also deliver him up.
5 These twelve did Jesus send forth, having given command to them, saying, `To the way of the nations go not away, and into a city of the Samaritans go not in,
6 and be going rather unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 `And, going on, proclaim saying that, the reign of the heavens hath come nigh;
8 infirm ones be healing, lepers be cleansing, dead be raising, demons be casting out -- freely ye did receive, freely give.
9 `Provide not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your girdles,
10 nor scrip for the way, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor staff -- for the workman is worthy of his nourishment.
11 `And into whatever city or village ye may enter, inquire ye who in it is worthy, and there abide, till ye may go forth.
12 And coming to the house salute it,
13 and if indeed the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; and if it be not worthy, let your peace turn back to you.
14 `And whoever may not receive you nor hear your words, coming forth from that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet,
15 verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
16 `Lo, I do send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as the serpents, and simple as the doves.
17 And, take ye heed of men, for they will give you up to sanhedrims, and in their synagogues they will scourge you,
18 and before governors and kings ye shall be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
19 `And whenever they may deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye may speak, for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak;
20 for ye are not the speakers, but the Spirit of your Father that is speaking in you.
21 `And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children shall rise up against parents, and shall put them to death,
22 and ye shall be hated by all because of my name, but he who hath endured to the end, he shall be saved.
23 `And whenever they may persecute you in this city, flee to the other, for verily I say to you, ye may not have completed the cities of Israel till the Son of Man may come.
24 `A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his lord;
25 sufficient to the disciple that he may be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord; if the master of the house they did call Beelzeboul, how much more those of his household?
26 `Ye may not, therefore, fear them, for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known;
27 that which I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light, and that which you hear at the ear, proclaim on the house-tops.
28 `And be not afraid of those killing the body, and are not able to kill the soul, but fear rather Him who is able both soul and body to destroy in gehenna.
29 `Are not two sparrows sold for an assar? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father;
30 and of you -- even the hairs of the head are all numbered;
31 be not therefore afraid, than many sparrows ye are better.
32 `Every one, therefore, who shall confess in me before men, I also will confess in him before my Father who is in the heavens;
33 and whoever shall deny me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in the heavens.
34 `Ye may not suppose that I came to put peace on the earth; I did not come to put peace, but a sword;
35 for I came to set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,
36 and the enemies of a man are those of his household.
37 `He who is loving father or mother above me, is not worthy of me, and he who is loving son or daughter above me, is not worthy of me,
38 and whoever doth not receive his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.
39 `He who found his life shall lose it, and he who lost his life for my sake shall find it.
40 `He who is receiving you doth receive me, and he who is receiving me doth receive Him who sent me,
41 he who is receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who is receiving a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward,
42 and whoever may give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say to you, he may not lose his reward.'
1 And having called to [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power over unclean spirits, so that they should cast them out, and heal every disease and every bodily weakness.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax-gatherer; James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, who was surnamed Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariote, who also delivered him up.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out when he had charged them, saying, Go not off into [the] way of [the] nations, and into a city of Samaritans enter ye not;
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh.
8 Heal [the] infirm, [raise the dead], cleanse lepers, cast out demons: ye have received gratuitously, give gratuitously.
9 Do not provide yourselves with gold, or silver, or brass, for your belts,
10 nor scrip for the way, nor two body coats, nor sandals, nor a staff: for the workman is worthy of his nourishment.
11 But into whatsoever city or village ye enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there remain till ye go forth.
12 And as ye enter into a house salute it.
13 And if the house indeed be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in judgment-day than for that city.
16 Behold, *I* send you as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore prudent as the serpents, and guileless as the doves.
17 But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to sanhedrims, and scourge you in their synagogues;
18 and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
19 But when they deliver you up, be not careful how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given to you in that hour what ye shall speak.
20 For *ye* are not the speakers, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.
21 But brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child; and children shall rise up against parents and shall put them to death;
22 and ye shall be hated of all on account of my name. But he that has endured to [the] end, *he* shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee to the other; for verily I say to you, Ye shall not have completed the cities of Israel until the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the bondman above his lord.
25 [It is] sufficient for the disciple that he should become as his teacher, and the bondman as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore; for there is nothing covered which shall not be revealed, and secret which shall not be known.
27 What I say to you in darkness speak in the light, and what ye hear in the ear preach upon the houses.
28 And be not afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but fear rather him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father;
30 but of you even the hairs of the head are all numbered.
31 Fear not therefore; *ye* are better than many sparrows.
32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, *I* also will confess him before my Father who is in [the] heavens.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will *I* also deny before my Father who is in [the] heavens.
34 Do not think that I have come to send peace upon the earth: I have not come to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to set a man at variance with his father, and the daughter with her mother, and the daughter-in-law with her mother-in-law;
36 and they of his household [shall be] a man's enemies.
37 He who loves father or mother above me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter above me is not worthy of me.
38 And he who does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.
39 He that finds his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me.
41 He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink to 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.
1 He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;
3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5 Jesus sent these twelve out, and charged them, saying, "Don't go among the Gentiles, and don't enter into any city of the Samaritans.
6 Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 As you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!'
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers{TR adds ", raise the dead"}, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
9 Don't take any gold, nor silver, nor brass in your money belts.
10 Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.
11 Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on.
12 As you enter into the household, greet it.
13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet.
15 Most assuredly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
18 Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most assuredly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.
24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
26 Therefore don't be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known.
27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
28 Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
29 "Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion{An assarion is a small coin worth one tenth of a drachma or a sixteenth of a denarius (approximately the wages of one half hour of agricultural labor).}? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will,
30 but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
34 "Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36 A man's foes will be those of his own household.
37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me.
38 He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me.
39 He who finds his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.
41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward: and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.
42 Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most assuredly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward."
1 And he got together his twelve disciples and gave them the power of driving out unclean spirits, and of making well all sorts of disease and pain.
2 Now the names of the twelve are these: The first, Simon, who is named Peter, and Andrew, his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax-farmer; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who was false to him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and gave them orders, saying, Do not go among the Gentiles, or into any town of Samaria,
6 But go to the wandering sheep of the house of Israel,
7 And, on your way, say, The kingdom of heaven is near.
8 Make well those who are ill, give life to the dead, make lepers clean, send evil spirits out of men; freely it has been given to you, freely give.
9 Take no gold or silver or copper in your pockets;
10 Take no bag for your journey and do not take two coats or shoes or a stick: for the workman has a right to his food.
11 And into whatever town or small place you go, make search there for someone who is respected, and make his house your resting-place till you go away.
12 And when you go in, say, May peace be on this house.
13 And if the house is good enough, let your peace come on it: but if not, let your peace come back to you.
14 And whoever will not take you in, or give ear to your words, when you go out from that house or that town, put off its dust from your feet.
15 Truly I say to you, It will be better for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of God's judging than for that town.
16 See, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Be then as wise as snakes, and as gentle as doves.
17 But be on the watch against men: for they will give you up to the Sanhedrins, and in their Synagogues they will give you blows;
18 And you will come before rulers and kings because of me, for a witness to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when you are given up into their hands, do not be troubled about what to say or how to say it: for in that hour what you are to say will be given to you;
20 Because it is not you who say the words, but the Spirit of your Father in you.
21 And brother will give up brother to death, and the father his child: and children will go against their fathers and mothers, and put them to death.
22 And you will be hated by all men because of my name: but he who is strong to the end will have salvation.
23 But when they are cruel to you in one town, go in flight to another: for truly, I say to you, You will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.
24 A disciple is not greater than his master, or a servant than his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he may be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have given the name Beelzebub to the master of the house, how much more to those of his house!
26 Have, then, no fear of them: because nothing is covered which will not come to light, or secret which will not be made clear.
27 What I say to you in the dark, say in the light: and what comes to your ear secretly, say publicly from the house-tops.
28 And have no fear of those who put to death the body, but are not able to put to death the soul. But have fear of him who has power to give soul and body to destruction in hell.
29 Are not sparrows two a farthing? and not one of them comes to an end without your Father:
30 But the hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Then have no fear; you are of more value than a flock of sparrows.
32 To everyone, then, who gives witness to me before men, I will give witness before my Father in heaven.
33 But if anyone says before men that he has no knowledge of me, I will say that I have no knowledge of him before my Father in heaven.
34 Do not have the thought that I have come to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace but a sword.
35 For I have come to put a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law:
36 And a man will be hated by those of his house.
37 He who has more love for his father or mother than for me is not good enough for me; he who has more love for son or daughter than for me is not good enough for me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and come after me is not good enough for me.
39 He who has the desire to keep his life will have it taken from him, and he who gives up his life because of me will have it given back to him.
40 He who gives honour to you gives honour to me; and he who gives honour to me gives honour to him who sent me.
41 He who gives honour to a prophet, in the name of a prophet, will be given a prophet's reward; and he who gives honour to an upright man, in the name of an upright man, will be given an upright man's reward.
42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will not go without his reward.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Matthew 10
Commentary on Matthew 10 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 10
Mt 10:1-5. Mission of the Twelve Apostles. ( = Mr 6:7-13; Lu 9:1-6).
The last three verses of the ninth chapter form the proper introduction to the Mission of the Twelve, as is evident from the remarkable fact that the Mission of the Seventy was prefaced by the very same words. (See on Lu 10:2).
1. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power—The word signifies both "power," and "authority" or "right." Even if it were not evident that here both ideas are included, we find both words expressly used in the parallel passage of Luke (Lu 9:1)—"He gave them power and authority"—in other words, He both qualified and authorized them.
against—or "over."
2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these—The other Evangelists enumerate the twelve in immediate connection with their appointment (Mr 3:13-19; Lu 6:13-16). But our Evangelist, not intending to record the appointment, but only the Mission of the Twelve, gives their names here. And as in the Acts (Ac 1:13) we have a list of the Eleven who met daily in the upper room with the other disciples after their Master's ascension until the day of Pentecost, we have four catalogues in all for comparison.
The first, Simon, who is called Peter—(See on Joh 1:42).
and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother—named after James, as the younger of the two.
3. Philip and Bartholomew—That this person is the same with "Nathanael of Cana in Galilee" is justly concluded for the three following reasons: First, because Bartholomew is not so properly an individual's name as a family surname; next, because not only in this list, but in Mark's and Luke's (Mr 3:18; Lu 6:14), he follows the name of "Philip," who was the instrument of bringing Nathanael first to Jesus (Joh 1:45); and again, when our Lord, after His resurrection, appeared at the Sea of Tiberias, "Nathanael of Cana in Galilee" is mentioned along with six others, all of them apostles, as being present (Joh 21:2).
Matthew the publican—In none of the four lists of the Twelve is this apostle so branded but in his own, as if he would have all to know how deep a debtor he had been to his Lord. (See on Mt 1:3, 5, 6; 9:9).
James the son of Alphaeus—the same person apparently who is called Cleopas or Clopas (Lu 24:18; Joh 19:25); and, as he was the husband of Mary, sister to the Virgin, James the Less must have been our Lord's cousin.
and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus—the same, without doubt, as "Judas the brother of James," mentioned in both the lists of Luke (Lu 6:16; Ac 1:13), while no one of the name of Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus is so. It is he who in John (Joh 14:22) is sweetly called "Judas, not Iscariot." That he was the author of the Catholic Epistle of "Jude," and not "the Lord's brother" (Mt 13:55), unless these be the same, is most likely.
4. Simon the Canaanite—rather "Kananite," but better still, "the Zealot," as he is called in Lu 6:15, where the original term should not have been retained as in our version ("Simon, called Zelotes"), but rendered "Simon, called the Zealot." The word "Kananite" is just the Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic, term for "Zealot." Probably before his acquaintance with Jesus, he belonged to the sect of the Zealots, who bound themselves, as a sort of voluntary ecclesiastical police, to see that the law was not broken with impunity.
and Judas Iscariot—that is, Judas of Kerioth, a town of Judah (Jos 15:25); so called to distinguish him from "Judas the brother of James" (Lu 6:16).
who also betrayed him—a note of infamy attached to his name in all the catalogues of the Twelve.
Mt 10:5-42. The Twelve Receive Their Instructions.
This directory divides itself into three distinct parts. The first part (Mt 10:5-15) contains directions for the brief and temporary mission on which they were now going forth, with respect to the places they were to go to, the works they were to do, the message they were to bear, and the manner in which they were to conduct themselves. The second part (Mt 10:16-23) contains directions of no such limited and temporary nature, but opens out into the permanent exercise of the Gospel ministry. The third part (Mt 10:24-42) is of wider application still, reaching not only to the ministry of the Gospel in every age, but to the service of Christ in the widest sense. It is a strong confirmation of this threefold division, that each part closes with the words, "Verily I SAY UNTO YOU" (Mt 10:15, 23, 42).
Directions for the Present Mission (Mt 10:5-15).
5. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not—The Samaritans were Gentiles by blood; but being the descendants of those whom the king of Assyria had transported from the East to supply the place of the ten tribes carried captive, they had adopted the religion of the Jews, though with admixtures of their own: and, as the nearest neighbors of the Jews, they occupied a place intermediate between them and the Gentiles. Accordingly, when this prohibition was to be taken off, on the effusion of the Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles were told that they should be Christ's witnesses first "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea," then "in Samaria," and lastly, "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Ac 1:8).
6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel—Until Christ's death, which broke down the middle wall of partition (Eph 2:14), the Gospel commission was to the Jews only, who, though the visible people of God, were "lost sheep," not merely in the sense which all sinners are (Isa 53:6; 1Pe 2:25; compare with Lu 19:10), but as abandoned and left to wander from the right way by faithless shepherds (Jer 50:6, 17; Eze 34:2-6, &c.).
7. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand—(See on Mt 3:2).
8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils—(The italicized clause—"raise the dead"—is wanting in many manuscripts). Here we have the first communication of supernatural power by Christ Himself to His followers—thus anticipating the gifts of Pentecost. And right royally does He dispense it.
freely ye have received, freely give—Divine saying, divinely said! (Compare De 15:10, 11; Ac 3:6)—an apple of gold in a setting of silver (Pr 25:11). It reminds us of that other golden saying of our Lord, rescued from oblivion by Paul, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Ac 20:35). Who can estimate what the world owes to such sayings, and with what beautiful foliage and rich fruit such seeds have covered, and will yet cover, this earth!
9. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses—"for" your purses; literally, "your belts," in which they kept their money.
10. Nor scrip for your journey—the bag used by travellers for holding provisions.
neither two coats—or tunics, worn next the skin. The meaning is, Take no change of dress, no additional articles.
neither shoes—that is, change of them.
nor yet staves—The received text here has "a staff," but our version follows another reading, "staves," which is found in the received text of Luke (Lu 9:3). The true reading, however, evidently is "a staff"—meaning, that they were not to procure even that much expressly for this missionary journey, but to go with what they had. No doubt it was the misunderstanding of this that gave rise to the reading "staves" in so many manuscripts Even if this reading were genuine, it could not mean "more than one"; for who, as Alford well asks, would think of taking a spare staff?
for the workman is worthy of his meat—his "food" or "maintenance"; a principle which, being universally recognized in secular affairs, is here authoritatively applied to the services of the Lord's workmen, and by Paul repeatedly and touchingly employed in his appeals to the churches (Ro 15:27; 1Co 9:11; Ga 6:6), and once as "scripture" (1Ti 5:18).
11. And into whatsoever city or town—town or village.
ye shall enter inquire—carefully.
who in it is worthy—or "meet" to entertain such messengers; not in point of rank, of course, but of congenial disposition.
and there abide till ye go thence—not shifting about, as if discontented, but returning the welcome given with a courteous, contented, accommodating disposition.
12. And when ye come into an house—or "the house," but it means not the worthy house, but the house ye first enter, to try if it be worthy.
salute it—show it the usual civilities.
13. And if the house be worthy—showing this by giving you a welcome.
let your peace come upon it—This is best explained by the injunction to the Seventy, "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house" (Lu 10:5). This was the ancient salutation of the East, and it prevails to this day. But from the lips of Christ and His messengers, it means something far higher, both in the gift and the giving of it, than in the current salutation. (See on Joh 14:27).
but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you—If your peace finds a shut, instead of an open, door in the heart of any household, take it back to yourselves, who know how to value it; and it will taste the sweeter to you for having been offered, even though rejected.
14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city—for possibly a whole town might not furnish one "worthy."
shake off the dust of your feet—"for a testimony against them," as Mark and Luke add (Mr 6:11; Lu 10:11). By this symbolical action they vividly shook themselves from all connection with such, and all responsibility for the guilt of rejecting them and their message. Such symbolical actions were common in ancient times, even among others than the Jews, as strikingly appears in Pilate (Mt 27:24). And even to this day it prevails in the East.
15. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable—more bearable.
for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city—Those Cities of the Plain, which were given to the flames for their loathsome impurities, shall be treated as less criminal, we are here taught, than those places which, though morally respectable, reject the Gospel message and affront those that bear it.
Directions for the Future and Permanent Exercise of the Christian Ministry (Mt 10:16-23).
16. Behold, I send you forth—The "I" here is emphatic, holding up Himself as the Fountain of the Gospel ministry, as He is also the Great Burden of it.
as sheep—defenseless.
in the midst of wolves—ready to make a prey of you (Joh 10:12). To be left exposed, as sheep to wolves, would have been startling enough; but that the sheep should be sent among the wolves would sound strange indeed. No wonder this announcement begins with the exclamation, "Behold."
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves—Wonderful combination this! Alone, the wisdom of the serpent is mere cunning, and the harmlessness of the dove little better than weakness: but in combination, the wisdom of the serpent would save them from unnecessary exposure to danger; the harmlessness of the dove, from sinful expedients to escape it. In the apostolic age of Christianity, how harmoniously were these qualities displayed! Instead of the fanatical thirst for martyrdom, to which a later age gave birth, there was a manly combination of unflinching zeal and calm discretion, before which nothing was able to stand.
17. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the councils—the local courts, used here for civil magistrates in general.
and they will scourge you in their synagogues—By this is meant persecution at the hands of the ecclesiastics.
18. And ye shall be brought before governors—provincial rulers.
and kings—the highest tribunals.
for my sake, for a testimony against them—rather, "to them," in order to bear testimony to the truth and its glorious effects.
and the Gentiles—"to the Gentiles"; a hint that their message would not long be confined to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Acts of the Apostles are the best commentary on these warnings.
19. But when they deliver you up, take no thought—be not solicitous or anxious. (See on Mt 6:25).
how or what ye shall speak—that is, either in what manner ye shall make your defense, or of what matter it shall consist.
for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak—(See Ex 4:12; Jer 1:7).
20. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you—How remarkably this has been verified, the whole history of persecution thrillingly proclaims—from the Acts of the Apostles to the latest martyrology.
21. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death—for example, by lodging information against them with the authorities. The deep and virulent hostility of the old nature and life to the new—as of Belial to Christ—was to issue in awful wrenches of the dearest ties; and the disciples, in the prospect of their cause and themselves being launched upon society, are here prepared for the worst.
22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake—The universality of this hatred would make it evident to them, that since it would not be owing to any temporary excitement, local virulence, or personal prejudice, on the part of their enemies, so no amount of discretion on their part, consistent with entire fidelity to the truth, would avail to stifle that enmity—though it might soften its violence, and in some cases avert the outward manifestations of it.
but he that endureth to the end shall be saved—a great saying, repeated, in connection with similar warnings, in the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem (Mt 24:13); and often reiterated by the apostle as a warning against "drawing back unto perdition" (Heb 3:6, 13; 6:4-6; 10:23, 26-29, 38, 39, &c.). As "drawing back unto perdition" is merely the palpable evidence of the want of "root" from the first in the Christian profession (Lu 8:13), so "enduring to the end" is just the proper evidence of its reality and solidity.
23. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another—"into the other." This, though applicable to all time, and exemplified by our Lord Himself once and again, had special reference to the brief opportunities which Israel was to have of "knowing the time of His visitations."
for verily I say unto you—what will startle you, but at the same time show you the solemnity of your mission, and the need of economizing the time for it.
Ye shall not have gone over—Ye shall in nowise have completed.
the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come—To understand this—as Lange and others do—in the first instance, of Christ's own peregrinations, as if He had said, "Waste not your time upon hostile places, for I Myself will be after you ere your work be over"—seems almost trifling. "The coming of the Son of man" has a fixed doctrinal sense, here referring immediately to the crisis of Israel's history as the visible kingdom of God, when Christ was to come and judge it; when "the wrath would come upon it to the uttermost"; and when, on the ruins of Jerusalem and the old economy, He would establish His own kingdom. This, in the uniform language of Scripture, is more immediately "the coming of the Son of man," "the day of vengeance of our God" (Mt 16:28; 24:27, 34; compare with Heb 10:25; Jas 5:7-9)—but only as being such a lively anticipation of His second coming for vengeance and deliverance. So understood, it is parallel with Mt 24:14 (on which see).
Directions for the Service of Christ in Its Widest Sense (Mt 10:24-42).
24. The disciple is not above his master—teacher.
nor the servant above his lord—another maxim which our Lord repeats in various connections (Lu 6:40; Joh 13:16; 15:20).
25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub—All the Greek manuscripts, write "Beelzebul," which undoubtedly is the right form of this word. The other reading came in no doubt from the Old Testament "Baalzebub," the god of Ekron (2Ki 1:2), which it was designed to express. As all idolatry was regarded as devil worship (Le 17:7; De 32:17; Ps 106:37; 1Co 10:20), so there seems to have been something peculiarly satanic about the worship of this hateful god, which caused his name to be a synonym of Satan. Though we nowhere read that our Lord was actually called "Beelzebul," He was charged with being in league with Satan under that hateful name (Mt 12:24, 26), and more than once Himself was charged with "having a devil" or "demon" (Mr 3:30; Joh 7:20; 8:48). Here it is used to denote the most opprobrious language which could be applied by one to another.
how much more shall they call them of his household—"the inmates." Three relations in which Christ stands to His people are here mentioned: He is their Teacher—they His disciples; He is their Lord—they His servants; He is the Master of the household—they its inmates. In all these relations, He says here, He and they are so bound up together that they cannot look to fare better than He, and should think it enough if they fare no worse.
26. Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known—that is, There is no use, and no need, of concealing anything; right and wrong, truth and error, are about to come into open and deadly collision; and the day is coming when all hidden things shall be disclosed, everything seen as it is, and every one have his due (1Co 4:5).
27. What I tell you in darkness—in the privacy of a teaching for which men are not yet ripe.
that speak ye in the light—for when ye go forth all will be ready.
and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops—Give free and fearless utterance to all that I have taught you while yet with you. Objection: But this may cost us our life? Answer: It may, but there their power ends:
28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul—In Lu 12:4, "and after that have no more that they can do."
but rather fear him—In Luke (Lu 12:5) this is peculiarly solemn, "I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear," even Him
which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell—A decisive proof this that there is a hell for the body as well as the soul in the eternal world; in other words, that the torment that awaits the lost will have elements of suffering adapted to the material as well as the spiritual part of our nature, both of which, we are assured, will exist for ever. In the corresponding warning contained in Luke (Lu 12:4), Jesus calls His disciples "My friends," as if He had felt that such sufferings constituted a bond of peculiar tenderness between Him and them.
29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?—In Luke (Lu 12:6) it is "five sparrows for two farthings"; so that, if the purchaser took two farthings' worth, he got one in addition—of such small value were they.
and one of them shall not fall on the ground—exhausted or killed
without your Father—"Not one of them is forgotten before God," as it is in Luke (Lu 12:6).
30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered—See Lu 21:18 (and compare for the language 1Sa 14:45; Ac 27:34).
31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows—Was ever language of such simplicity felt to carry such weight as this does? But here lies much of the charm and power of our Lord's teaching.
32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men—despising the shame.
him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven—I will not be ashamed of him, but will own him before the most august of all assemblies.
33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven—before that same assembly: "He shall have from Me his own treatment of Me on the earth." (But see on Mt 16:27).
34. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword—strife, discord, conflict; deadly opposition between eternally hostile principles, penetrating into and rending asunder the dearest ties.
35. For I am come 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—(See on Lu 12:51-53).
36. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household—This saying, which is quoted, as is the whole verse, from Mic 7:6, is but an extension of the Psalmist's complaint (Ps 41:9; 55:12-14), which had its most affecting illustration in the treason of Judas against our Lord Himself (Joh 13:18; Mt 26:48-50). Hence would arise the necessity of a choice between Christ and the nearest relations, which would put them to the severest test.
37. 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—(Compare De 33:9). As the preference of the one would, in the case supposed, necessitate the abandonment of the other, our Lord here, with a sublime, yet awful self-respect, asserts His own claims to supreme affection.
38. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me—a saying which our Lord once and again emphatically reiterates (Mt 16:24; Lu 9:23; 14:27). We have become so accustomed to this expression—"taking up one's cross"—in the sense of "being prepared for trials in general for Christ's sake," that we are apt to lose sight of its primary and proper sense here—"a preparedness to go forth even to crucifixion," as when our Lord had to bear His own cross on His way to Calvary—a saying the more remarkable as our Lord had not as yet given a hint that He would die this death, nor was crucifixion a Jewish mode of capital punishment.
39. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it—another of those pregnant sayings which our Lord so often reiterates (Mt 16:25; Lu 17:33; Joh 12:25). The pith of such paradoxical maxims depends on the double sense attached to the word "life"—a lower and a higher, the natural and the spiritual, the temporal and eternal. An entire sacrifice of the lower, with all its relationships and interests—or, a willingness to make it which is the same thing—is indispensable to the preservation of the higher life; and he who cannot bring himself to surrender the one for the sake of the other shall eventually lose both.
40. He that receiveth you—entertaineth you,
receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me—As the treatment which an ambassador receives is understood and regarded as expressing the light in which he that sends him is viewed, so, says our Lord here, "Your authority is Mine, as Mine is My Father's."
41. He that receiveth a prophet—one divinely commissioned to deliver a message from heaven. Predicting future events was no necessary part of a prophet's office, especially as the word is used in the New Testament.
in the name of a prophet—for his office's sake and love to his master. (See 2Ki 4:9 and see on 2Ki 4:10).
shall receive a prophet's reward—What an encouragement to those who are not prophets! (See Joh 3:5-8).
and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man—from sympathy with his character and esteem for himself as such
shall receive a righteous man's reward—for he must himself have the seed of righteousness who has any real sympathy with it and complacency in him who possesses it.
42. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones—Beautiful epithet! Originally taken from Zec 13:7. The reference is to their lowliness in spirit, their littleness in the eyes of an undiscerning world, while high in Heaven's esteem.
a cup of cold water only—meaning, the smallest service.
in the name of a disciple—or, as it is in Mark (Mr 9:41), because ye are Christ's: from love to Me, and to him from his connection with Me.
verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward—There is here a descending climax—"a prophet," "a righteous man," "a little one"; signifying that however low we come down in our services to those that are Christ's, all that is done for His sake, and that bears the stamp of love to His blessed name, shall be divinely appreciated and owned and rewarded.