The Gospels Matthew

Jesus' Instructions For His Apostles

Discover Jesus as: King Matthew 10 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 120 of 730
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INTRO

The one word we’re using for the book of Matthew is King. In Matthew 10, we’ll see the beginning of the King’s ambassadors. The role of the ambassador is to go out and do the King’s business. Isaiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord say, ‘Who shall I send? Who will go for Us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” This is a backdrop of Matthew 10.

TEACHING

Matthew 10:1-4: Jesus pulled the disciples together and gave them authority “over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness” (v. 2). The 12 disciples were all there, and through the authority and assignment given to them, they became apostles. MacArthur says, “Disciplemeans ‘student,’ one who is being taught by another. Apostlesrefers to qualified representatives who are sent on a mission.”1

In chapter 10, Jesus was getting ready to send His disciples out to do business. This was an action plan for the 12 disciples to do ministry. How did these disciples receive authority? Jesus had authority to give. No other leader at this point had ever given authority to others. MacArthur explains that the reason this authority was given was so the disciples/apostles could “announce Messiah’s arrival and authenticate Him plus His apostles who preached His gospel.”2He told them to drive out all unclean spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Jesus was getting ready for His kingdom to begin.

Matthew gave the names of the 12 disciples, always listing them in pairs. They were everyday guys. First, Simon and his brother Andrew. Next were James and John, brothers who were also called the Sons of Thunder. These four were all fishermen and they were Jesus’ inner circle. Next, Matthew listed Philip and Bartholomew, and then Thomas and Matthew the tax collector (the author himself). Some scholars suggest Matthew and James the son of Alphaeus were brothers. James the son of Alphaeus was listed with Thaddaeus, whose other name was Judas. He may have chosen to use the name Thaddaeus so he would not be confused with Judas Iscariot. Finally, Simon the Zealot (because he was a former member of the Zealots) and Judas Iscariot.

Matthew 10:5-15: Verse 5 says, “Jesus sent out these 12 after giving them instructions.” They were sent out in the pairs as we listed above. Those instructions (the game plan) continued through the remainder of chapter 10.

His instructions included:

  1. focused on the target audience, the Jews––“the lost sheep of Israel,” not other nations or Samaria (Jeremiah 50:6; Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Romans 1:16).

While going, announce the kingdom of heaven is near, MacArthur explains that “kingdom of heaven” refers “to the sphere of God’s dominion over those who belong to Him. The kingdom is now manifest in heaven’s spiritual rule over the hearts of believers and, one day, will be established in a literal earthly kingdom.”3(Revelation 20:4-6). The responsibility included “going.” Plummer said this:

“The charge, “as you go, preach,” is another indication of the temporary character of these directions. There are to be ‘field-preachers’ moving on from place to place. No permanent organization is to be attempted. The sheep are all scattered, and the first thing is to awaken in them the desire for a shepherd and a fold. The Messiah and the Kingdom are ready when they are ready.”4

One commentary I read suggested that these 12 men should have been leaders in Israel, but instead became leaders of the church.

In Matthew 10:5-6, the kingdom of God will be ushered in, based on the sheep’s response to Christ’s ambassadors––His disciples/apostles. In the process, between Matthew 10 and Matthew 28, the Jews, however, kept refusing His offer. Then, in Matthew 28:18-20 the focus changed:

“Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It feels like Jesus changed the game plan, but still with all authority. The ambassadors of the King were given a new assignment with a larger scope: to “make disciples of all nations.” Zechariah 12:10 says:

“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for Him as one weeps for a firstborn.”

God promises that Jesus’ mission will come full circle, and that, while the Jewish people refused the gospel, eventually they will realize what they’ve rejected.

In verse 8, Jesus told the disciples that they were to heal the sick, raise the dead, and drive out demons, free of charge. They were not even carrying coins or their money belts. Luke 22:36 seems to contradict this: “Then He said to them, ‘But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.’” This difference was the audience. Nelson’s Commentary explains the difference:

“The disciples’ mission was short-term. In essence, they were to do a national religious survey to determine the people’s response to Jesus as Messiah. For the 12 disciples to cover an area that is at most 75 miles by 125 miles would not take very long. Thus, they did not need extensive provisions.”5

For Luke 22:36, Jesus sent out men for longer journeys and they would be outside of areas of their own people. They could not be assured of help as they journeyed.

Matthew records that for those on this journey who were not treated well, made to feel unwelcome, or shown a refusal to listen, they were to “shake the dust off [their] feet” as they left the house or town (vv. 13-14).

Wiersbe says that our message today is no longer that the kingdom of heaven is near, but rather that Jesus died for our sins.6From chapter 10 until chapter 28 in Matthew, the message was “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” But, in Matthew 28, there’s a shift as the focus is turning to all people in all nations.

CLOSING

There’s so much more in Matthew 10. We just scratched the surface. But the takeaway from this chapter is that we all have a job to do as His ambassadors. And, there will be a day when Christians will see something absolutely incredible––the Jewish people will turn to the Messiah.

  1. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 1140.

  2. MacArthur, p. 1140.

  3. MacArthur, p. 1124.

  4. Alfred Plummer, An Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to S. Matthew(London: Robert Scott Roxburghe House, 1909), p. 149.

  5. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1999), p. 1159.

  6. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Matthew––Galatians(Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1989), p. 37.

Questions

  1. What is the difference between a “disciple” and an “apostle”? Do you consider yourself to be one or the other or both? Why or why not?
  2. What people group are the 12 disciples being sent to? Who are they not being sent to (Matthew 10:5-6; 15:24)? How is this different than Matthew 28:18-20?
  3. What are the specific things that Jesus instructed the 12 to do as they were sent out in Matthew 10:6-8? Are these things still applicable to you today? Have you witnessed any of these things happening in your lifetime?
  4. In Matthew 10:34, Jesus said, “…I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” What is the sword? How does this statement differ from Jesus’ statements about peace in John 14:27 and John 16:33?
  5. What does it mean to turn family member against family member in Matthew 10:35-36? (Micah 7:6; Matthew 10:37-39)
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Matthew 10 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Matthew 10:30-31

“But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So, don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

As Jesus commissioned the disciples with authority, He said to them three times … Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid.

Today, as you go about your own day, as you live your life for Christ, guess what remains the same? Don’t be afraid. Jesus will give you words to speak when you think you have nothing to say. Jesus will share everything with you and nothing will be hidden. Jesus is more powerful than anything or anyone. Jesus knows every hair on your head, and you are worth more than a sparrow, who Jesus also cared for. He loves you, child of God! So today, don’t be afraid. You have all authority from Jesus because it has been given to you. Walk on and do not fear.

“But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So, don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

— Matthew 10:30-31

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”
  • Psalm 56:3 — “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
  • 2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”