Matthew 10:1-23 "Sending the Twelve Part 1"

Please turn in your Bibles to Matt 10. I was feeling ambitious and earlier in the week I told my wife, “We are going to cover all of Chapter 10 Sunday.” She responded, “Well I guess I’ll bring my dinner!” My wife was correct in her assessment...I was biting off more than I could chew. So, we will take Chapter 10 in 2 parts...today, looking at Matt 10:1-23.

From Matthew 9:35-11:1, Matthew is demonstrating that King Jesus has the authority to delegate authority.

In Matthew 9:35, Jesus taught, preached, and healed and was moved with compassion for the multitudes who were weary and scattered…like sheep without a shepherd…a plentiful harvest, but with few laborers. Jesus saw this problem, so He gathered His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.

And, then Jesus said, “Boys…good news! You’re prayers have been answered. God is sending you!” Well, He didn’t actually say that, but that’s what He did. He empowered the Twelve Apostles and sent them.

In Matthew 10:5, we read “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them...” This begins the Second Major Discourse of Jesus. The first was the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. This Second Discourse is prepares the Twelve Apostles on the “The Mission and Martyrdom.”

I love that Jesus doesn’t just send them, He takes the time to prepare them. And, how many times in our lives, looking back, has He done the same for us?

Today’s account is toward the end of Jesus’ second year of ministry, and Jesus is starting to turn His eyes away from the masses, and focusing on discipling His Twelve Apostles. Jesus will still minister to the multitudes, but He will use these experiences as teaching moments for the Twelve to prepare them for His departure and beginning the early church.

If you are an outliner, here is a breakdown of this final teaching on Jesus’ Authority:

Matt 9:35-38 “Observation of the Problem” (as Jesus saw the weary multitude)

Matt 10:1-4 “Preparation of the Workers” (Jesus gives power to the Twelve, and pairs them up.)

From Matt 10:5-42: Jesus’ 2nd Major Discourse:

Matt 10:5-15 “Instructions about the Mission”

Matt 10:16-23 “Consequences of the Mission”

Matt 10:24-42 “Motivations for the Mission” (which we will cover next week).

Today’s message is entitled, “Sending the Twelve Part 1.”

Let’s Pray!

Matt 10:1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first [notice how Matthew pairs them up…many believe this is how they were sent], Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; [2 pairs of brothers] 3 Philip and Bartholomew [paired in their friendship…John 1] ; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector [paired in personalities of healthy skepticism]; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite [or Zealot], and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.” [I’m not really sure the connection of these last 2 pairings, but trust it made sense to Jesus. But, it makes a lot of sense to me why Jesus didn’t pair Simon the Zealot and Matthew the Tax Collector…Simon might have put a dagger in Matthew’s back.]

Last week, we thoroughly looked at these 12 Apostles, which is a title Matthew uses just once here in V2.

This crew is greatly diverse in many respects, and it’s an amazing work of God that these men were brought together for ministry.

In verse 1, we see Jesus grants power to the Apostles prior to sending them on their mission. In Jesus’ ministry, He had been doing the work, and now He is empowering His disciples... granting them power over the demonic, and over disease.

The word “power,” in Gk. most often appears in the NT as either dunamis (miraculous power) or exousia (authoritative power), and less often kratos (dominion), or other Gk. words for power…there’s at least 6 variants.

In the book of Acts and throughout the Epistles the early church is granted dunamis (miraculous power). As in Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power [dunamis] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...”

And, why were they given that power? To be witnesses. And, that’s no small thing as we will see today as Jesus teaches about persecution. We need miraculous power to be witnesses.

Overall in Acts, 9x the word power is used. 7x as dunamis and 2x exousia. The 2x exousia (authoritative power) is used...

1x refers to the authority Satan has.

In the Epistles, we see authority granted to Satan or Anti-Christ (“principalities and powers”) or to God, but not to Believers.

The 2nd occurence of exousia in Acts, is Acts 8:19 when Simon the Sorcerer says to Peter, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” He wants authority to go around and heal at will (with the wrong motives), and Peter denies Simon.

The early church and church age was not granted exousia…the authority the Apostles had here in Matt 10. The Twelve had the authority to heal and cast out demons at will. We do not have that authority.

Repeatably... the NT word for the power we have been granted is dunamis…miraculous power.

It’s not until Rev 2:26 that God grants authority to the church. Rev 2:26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power (exousia) over the nations...” which speaks about authority during Jesus’ Millennial Reign…so, yet future.

It’s important to understand that God has granted us power to be witnesses, but not unlimited power…not the authority to go around performing miracles whenever we think it is right. God has all authority, and when a miracle aligns with His will, He can use us and channel His power through us, but we do not have the authority like the Twelve were given in this passage.

Matt 10:5-6 “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Starting here, in V5, Jesus begins His Second Major Discourse. Verses 5-15 are “Instructions about the Mission.”

Prior to sending the Twelve, Matt 9:36-38 states: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Prior to sending the Twelve, there were steps of observation and preparation.

First, Jesus saw there was a problem. He saw the multitudes who were weary and scattered…they were not being shepherded by the Religious Leaders.

Second, He cared…He was moved with compassion. It’s important to have the right heart attitude towards ministry.

Third, they prayed. They didn’t just see the problem and go, they stopped to pray which is often overlooked, but needs to be a priority.

Fourth, they were empowered. In Matt 10:1, Jesus gave them power. In Acts 1, the disciples were to wait in Jerusalem until they were Baptized with the Holy Spirit…empowered to be witnesses.

Finally, Jesus sent and commanded the Twelve.

And, this is a good pattern for us to consider for ministry and missions as well. I’m not suggesting this is His absolute pattern, but this is a good pattern.

As Jesus sends His Twelve, He instructs them first where not to go…they are not to leave the Galilee region, nor go to the Gentile regions (Tyre or Sidon in the North or Decapolis in the East), nor to Samaria in the South.

At this time, they were to focus on God’s covenant people. Rom 1:16 states “…for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” God would reach the world with the gospel, but He would start with the Jews.

This term “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” looks to Israel as a whole and their poor condition.

Matt 9:36 told us Jesus “...was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”

“Lost sheep” also reflects words of the OT Prophets, such as...

Jer 50:6 “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray...”

Jesus continues instructing...

Matt 10:7-8 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

The purpose of this mission trip is to preach. The Twelve was not sent to teach, but to proclaim or herald the message to these lost sheep that, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ The Messiah is amongst the nation…a Prophet like Moses...the Son of David…the Anointed One…Immanuel…the Prince of Peace…they knew Him by many titles, and His time had come.

“The kingdom of heaven is at hand” should have been a familiar message, as John the Baptist said this in Matthew 3:2, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Jesus as well in Matt 4:17.

The Twelve were also granted power for miracles that would authenticate the message they were proclaiming. Healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and casting out demons were all Messianic signs. And, these Twelve Apostles were His Ambassadors…what they did pointed to Jesus.

What we do in our lives should point to Jesus as well.

Jesus also states, “Freely you have received, freely give.”

Jesus freely gave the Twelve the commission to proclaim the Gospel, and freely gave them authority to perform these miracles. Now they were to freely give the good news and healing to those they encountered.

They were not to turn this mission into a profit center. This is not to say that people in ministry are not to be paid, for even when Jesus sent the 70 disciples, He stated, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” And, Paul echoed this to Timothy.

But, these Twelve, they were to preach and heal without any form of remuneration.

Jesus continues...

Matt 10:9-10 “Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”

The disciples were not to “provide” or “acquire” money or bring extra provisions for their journey…they were to go with what they had. “Don’t bring a bag with numerous provisions, an extra coat, extra sandals or staffs. Just go. A worker is worthy of his food. Just go and trust that God will provide.”

There was no time for raising funds…there was a degree of urgency for them to depart- the sheep were weary and scattered and needed shepherding. For this mission, going was more important than preparing.

When we were called to the Philippines, the Lord put numerous missionaries in our path, in the most amazing ways, that had a consistent message… “Just go.” We prepared, but we also went without a sending organization, and everything was fine. We didn’t have every detail ironed out, but God worked out all the details.

I’ve actually thought about writing a book about missions titled, “Just go” because missions has become over-complicated. I’m not suggesting to be haphazard, but sometimes “analysis paralysis” gets in the way.

For some mission trips, it makes sense to prepare and take provisions.

In Luke 22, when Jesus predicted coming conflict and Him being taken away from the disciples, He said, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” Lk 22:35-36

So, like healings, Jesus accesses each situation and prescribes an appropriate course of action.

Jesus continues…verse 11...

Matt 10:11-15 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

As the Twelve entered towns and cities they were to go where doors opened, and bless those who were open handed and welcoming to the ministry.

In verse 11, “…inquire who in it is worthy...” this is not in the sense of a person who has elaborate accommodations, or preferred status or standing in the community, but the person who is open to the gospel message. They have spiritual worth…they have opened the doors both to their heart (most important) and to their home.

After Matthew came to Christ, Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners…they were worthy. The hard hearted Pharisees would not receive Jesus were unworthy. Despite being influential Religious Leaders…they were unworthy for rejecting Jesus.

The disciples were to “greet” the household meaning ‘to pronounce a blessing upon the home.’

And, they were to let their “peace come upon it...” The Apostles were ambassadors for Jesus. Since they were representing the Prince of Peace, and bringing the gospel message…they were bringing a message of peace. Peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

One who denies this message is not worthy, and peace with God returns to the messenger. Receiving the Twelve and the gospel message was to receive Jesus. Not receiving them nor hearing their words was denying Jesus.

In Matt 10:40, Jesus will say, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

In verse 14, Jesus instructs the Twelve to “shake off the dust from your feet” to whomever would not receive them or hear their words.

It’s said that the very dust of Gentile cities was unwanted and was shaken off the feet of Jews…this was a sign of separation and a proclamation of judgment.

The idea of what Jesus was saying carried a similar idea. Today, we might say, “I wash my hands of the matter” meaning I am no longer responsible because I have done all that I can. Any impending judgment or wrath is the sole responsibility of the offending party. I want nothing more to do with them.

In Acts 13:51, Paul and Barnabas literally did this upon rejection at Antioch… Acts 13:51 states “...they shook off the dust from their feet against them...”

In Rom 1, we see 2x “God gave them up,” and 1x “God gave them over.” Similar idea.

Sodom and Gomorrah are referenced in verse 15. These cities were utterly destroyed in Gen 19 by brimstone and fire, for their intense wickedness, and now are being compared to any city or person that rejects Jesus or His messengers.

The implication is that these later cities are even more wicked than Sodom and Gomorrah because Jesus was in their midst and they rejected Him. This is quite the statement.

The “day of judgement” in V15 looks forward to the Great White Throne Judgment in Rev 20 when all the unrighteous dead are resurrected to stand before God, judged according to their works, and cast into the Lake of Fire.

Sodom and Gomorrah’s judgement would be more tolerable, more bearable.

What’s interesting is when you look at verses like this, it seems that eternal judgment varies in degrees. Hell for some may be more intense than hell for others.

Verse 16

Matt 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

From Vss 16-23, Jesus now shifts from ‘instructing the Twelve about the mission’ (Vss 5-15) to “Consequences of the Mission.” Jesus mentally prepared them not only on what to do, but also what to expect- persecution.

The picture of sheep in the midst of wolves is one of impending doom. Wolves have obvious advantages over their prey, especially sheep which are relatively defenseless.

Biblically speaking, wolves are often representative of false prophets... and certainly false prophets, religious leaders, Roman delegates, Herodians, Gentile Cultists and other ‘vicious wolves’ would be bent against the message of the Gospel.

There are a growing number of wolves in the world today. Christianity has become the most persecuted religion in the world.

Jesus’ warning to the Twelve was not encouraging. Honest, but not encouraging. But, I’ll take honest any day of the week!

As a result of the expected dangers ahead, they were to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Some people have criticized the Bible because they say, “Snakes are not wise!” “Well, I’d like to see how you do in a desert, crawling around on your belly with no arms or legs.”

Snakes are wise in the sense that they are survivors. They know how to avoid danger, and prefer to flee danger, but they will stand their ground if need be. The disciples were to mimic the snake in this sense for they would be in hostile territory.

The Twelve were also to be harmless (lit. “unmixed, pure” by impl. “innocent”) as doves. This Gk. word for “harmless” only appears in 2 other verses in the NT, which cross reference well with this passage:

Rom 16:19 “...I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.” “Simple” is the same word we see translated as “harmless.”

Phil 2:15 “...that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...”

I was talking to a Pastor Joe Bell’s wife the other day, and she said, “I’m excited about our political climate because light shines brighter in the darkness.” We have great opportunity for ministry with all the darkness in the world.

The Twelve were to be in the world, but not of the world. Doves had little capability for harm, and great ability for flight…to be set apart from the world. We are to be this way as well.

Jesus further warns that there will come a day when the Twelve will be persecuted...

Matt 10:17-18 “But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”

Direct persecution to the Twelve increases after Jesus’ ascension. The Book of Acts and extra-biblical sources attest to this.

They would know persecution in life, up to the end of their lives...11 of the 12 Apostles would come to know martyr’s deaths. Only John lived out his years...suffering the martyrdom of a long-life and Judas Iscariot committed suicide. Whoever you think replaced Judas…Matthias or Paul…tradition holds both suffered martyr’s deaths…so 11 of the 12.

Jesus warns they would stand before councils, governors and kings (all seen in Acts), and scourged (the flagrum…a whip with 1 to 12 leather cords barbed with bone fragments or lead that would shred the skin).

In Paul’s testimony, 2 Cor 11:24-25, he stated, “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned...”

“Forty stripes minus one” was prescribed by the Jews in accordance to Dt 25:3 “Forty blows he may give him and no more...” I doubt 39 blows was an exercise of mercy...more an exercise of legalism to avoid violating the law.

Observe in V18…don’t miss why this persecution was happening “...for My sake...”

Remember what Jesus taught in the Beatitudes? Matt 5:11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

The Apostles lived this out.

In Acts 5:41, after the Apostles were imprisoned by the Sanhedrin for proclaiming the Gospel, and beaten (lit. “to skin, to thrash”…there are those “scourgings in synagogues”)…scripture records “...they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

Numerous times Paul also wrote of ‘rejoicing in sufferings.’

It’s not natural to rejoice when going through persecution, trials and sufferings. This was supernatural. They were not earthly minded, they were heavenly minded. And, when we are heavenly minded…when we are living for eternity…there is nothing life can throw our ways that will disrupt our joy…we will have that “...peace of God, which surpasses all understanding...” It “...will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Php 4:7 The Apostles had this peace.

Peter encourages us, 1 Pet 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings...”

The Apostles did just this…they rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” That’s supernatural!

In V18, Jesus also stated the Twelve would “…be brought before governors and kings...as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”

And, certainly in Acts, we see disciples Peter...Paul...Stephen…God put these men in front of councils, governors, kings, and huge crowds of gentiles. And, they shared their testimony and used these opportunities to preach the Gospel. This was literally fulfilled.

Matt 10:19-20 “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father [same as the Holy Spirit] who speaks in you.”

Not if, but when they deliver you up...

“Deliver” Gk. par-ad-id´-o-mee (paradidōmi), means “to hand over or betray.” It’s the same word used of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus.

Jesus instructs the Twelve “do not worry,” when they are arrested and put on trial before officials, the Holy Spirit will supernaturally speak through them.

They will experience persecution, but the Holy Spirit will help them in their hour of need. This is a huge comfort and promise we can hold onto today.

Note: the context here is persecution and trials. This is not a verse to be used by lazy Pastors as a justification for not studying and preparing sermons. “The Holy Spirit will give me in that hour what I should speak!” No!

James 3:1 declares, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

Jesus continues...

Matt 10:21-22 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Not only will the Disciples be opposed by councils, governors, and kings, but their opposition will become deeply personal. Even their family members will betray them and express hatred. This is the harsh reality of how unbelievers respond when one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.

When a person has been living in darkness… they are surrounding by similar people who only know and love darkness. When that person becomes saved, they become a child of light…and NOW the people of the darkness hate that person of light because they are the polar opposite of the darkness they know and love. They identify with darkness…not with light.

Here’s an example: How do you react if it’s the middle of the night and someone turns on a bright overhead light? The light hurts your eyes because your eyes have become accustomed to the dark, and you become discombobulated, thus you reject the light… “GAH…TURN THE LIGHT OFF!!!”

Religious Jews were accustomed to the darkness of their traditions. Gentiles were accustomed to the darkness of paganism and worldliness. And, Christians now brought the truth of the Gospel, which was like a bright like shining in the darkness, and the people of the world, even family members would react in hatred and even persecute the Christians to death.

It happened in the first century, and it’s even more amplified today. Online...if you google “Christian Persecution 2020” you will quickly find the “World Watch List”…a 68 page report from Open Doors USA, that details the various forms of persecution today and the Top 50 Countries persecuting Christians. Death, imprisonment without trial, businesses and churches burned.

Jesus wasn’t just sending His Twelve, He was giving them the honest truth of what to expect. He was preparing them, and with this preparation, they did not deny Him even when they faced their own martyrdom later in their lives.

It’s equally important that we are prepared for persecution as well, for the world…even our country is changing before our eyes.

In V22, Jesus said, “But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

This is a rather difficult saying, that leaves scholars with numerous interpretations.

“He who endures...” Endures by def. lit. “to stay behind, to await.” fig. “to have fortitude, to persevere.”

“…to the end...” End of one’s life? End of the age? I think both…we’ll come back to this.

“…will be saved.”

This cannot be suggesting that salvation is contingent upon our works of endurance or that only martyrs will be saved... for salvation is “....the gift of God, not of works...” Eph 2:8-9.

Saved from death? That wouldn’t make sense either, for 11 of the 12 Apostles suffered martyr’s deaths, and in V21 Jesus said twice that death would result from persecution.

So, what is Jesus saying here?

I like this quote from William MacDonald. He wrote, “The simplest explanation is that endurance is the hallmark of the genuinely saved. Those who endure to the end in times of persecution show by their perseverance that they are true believers.”

James wrote, “I will show you my faith by my works.” Jas 2:18

An observable evidence of genuine faith, and the endurance of remaining true to Jesus even to the end of life or the end of the age is the sign of a true believer.

Jesus continues with another difficult verse...

Matt 10:23 “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

This verse has presented great difficulty to Bible Scholars.

The first half is not so difficult. Jesus is telling His disciples to flee when faced with persecution. An alive witness for Jesus is more valuable than a dead witness. Be wise and flee persecution. You don’t need to welcome martyrdom.

But, the second half of this verse...about the “Son of Man” has resulted in at least 7 interpretations, so if you don’t like my explanation, go and be a Berean.

But, here’s how I see it...Jesus has been teaching His Apostles about things they can expect in their lifetime, and He also made statements that can stretch to a distant future…as in V15 when He references “…the day of judgment...” or V22 when He references “…the end...”

Bible prophecy follows a pattern of a near (or partial) and a far (or complete) fulfillment, and I believe that is what is in view in this discourse.

In the near, I believe Jesus is telling His Twelve in their lifetimes they will not witness to all the cities of Israel before Jesus passes judgment upon Israel, which literally happened in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Romans. Israel ceased to be a nation from that time up to 1948.

In the far, I believe Jesus is looking beyond the Twelve, and sees the Twelve as a type for what will befall the Jewish believers during the Great Tribulation.

And here’s why…compare what Jesus states in Matt 10:22-23 to Matt 24:13-16… (a major eschatological chapter).

Matt 24:13-16 “But he who endures to the end shall be saved. [same words] 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. [that’s when the Son of Man will come]. 15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

Huge parallels. Enduring to the end…witnessing prior to the end…fleeing persecution.

The near and the far.

We are going to end here today…fortunately for the Twelve, that’s not where Jesus ended…He would continue in V24 with “Motivations for the Mission” starting with comforting them. Read ahead.

Worship Team Come

Before Jesus sent out His Twelve He told them about the mission, and He prepared them mentally for persecution…and they endured to the end.

In our country right now, things are moving quickly in a scary direction, and we need to be mentally prepared as well. Next Month’s Prophecy Conference is one such way you can be prepared. I hope you make it a priority.