Matthew 10 explained: Twelve Sent Out With Warnings

The twelve named (vv. 1-4)

Jesus shares his own power to heal and drive out evil spirits with twelve followers, a number many read as echoing Israel's twelve tribes. The group is mixed: Matthew collected taxes for the Roman system, Simon was probably linked to the Zealots, a movement fiercely devoted to Jewish law and independence, and Judas is already marked as the one who betrays him.

Traveling light to Israel (vv. 5-15)

This first mission is only to fellow Jews, and the book later widens it to all nations. They go without money or spare clothes, relying on whoever welcomes them, and shaking dust off their feet was a public sign of cutting ties with a town that refused them.

Sheep among wolves (vv. 16-23)

Jesus warns they will be arrested, beaten in local synagogues and brought before rulers, even betrayed by their own families. His promise in verse 23 that the Son of Man, his name for himself, will come before they finish is puzzling, and readers differ on whether it points to his resurrection, the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, or the end of time.

No need to fear (vv. 24-31)

Opponents had linked Jesus with the ruler of demons, so his followers should expect the same insults, yet he tells them to fear God rather than people who can only kill the body. God watches over even a sparrow sold for almost nothing, and Jesus assures them they are worth far more than many sparrows.

The cost of following (vv. 32-39)

Jesus will stand by those who openly stand by him, though loyalty to him may split families, a sword of division echoing the prophet Micah rather than a call to violence. Carrying one's cross pictured a condemned person hauling the beam to their own execution, so it means being willing to give up even life itself.

Welcoming the messengers (vv. 40-42)

Whoever welcomes these messengers is treated as welcoming Jesus and God himself. Even a cup of cold water given to the least important follower will not go unnoticed.

Key verse: Matthew 10:16

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on how much of this charge, such as carrying no money or expecting miraculous powers, was only for that first trip and how much is meant for every follower today.

Something to think about

What, if anything, would you hold onto even if it put you at odds with people you love?