Bible Commentaries
Matthew 10

Verse 2

apostles

The word apostle, = "one sent forth," is used of our Lord Hebrews 3:1. Elsewhere it is used for the twelve who were called to that office by our Lord during His earth ministry; of Paul, called to the apostleship by the risen and ascended Lord, and of Barnabas Acts 14:14 specially designated by the Holy Spirit Acts 13:2. Of Matthias, chosen by lot by the eleven to take the place of Judas Iscariot, Acts 1:16-26 it is said: "And he was numbered with the eleven." Acts 1:26.

The "signs" of an apostle were

(1) They were chosen directly by the Lord Himself, or, as in the case of Barnabas, by the Holy Spirit Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:13; Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13; Acts 9:6; Acts 9:15; Acts 13:2; Acts 22:10; Acts 22:14; Acts 22:15; Romans 1:1

(2) They were endued with sign gifts, miraculous powers which were the divine credentials of their office Matthew 10:1; Acts 5:15; Acts 5:16; Acts 16:16-18; Matthew 28:8; Matthew 28:9.

(3) Their relation to the kingdom was that of heralds, announcing to Israel only Matthew 10:5; Matthew 10:6 the kingdom as at hand. (See Scofield "Matthew 10:6- :") and manifesting kingdom powers Matthew 10:7; Matthew 10:8.

(4) To one of them, Peter, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, viewed as the sphere of Christian profession, as in Matthew 13:0, were given Matthew 16:19.

(5) Their future relation to the king will be that of judges over the twelve tribes Matthew 19:28.

(6) Consequent upon the rejection of the kingdom, and the revelation of the mystery hid in God Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:1-12 the Church, the apostolic office was invested with a new enduement, the baptism with the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4 a new power, that of imparting the Spirit to Jewish-Christian believers; a new relation, that of foundation stones of the new temple Ephesians 2:20-22 and a new function, that of preaching the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified and risen Lord to Jew and gentile alike.

(7) The indispensable qualification of an apostle was that he should have been an eye- witness of the resurrection Acts 1:22; 1 Corinthians 9:1.

James son of Zebedee (See Scofield "1 Corinthians 9:1- :") .

Verse 5

Gentiles

The kingdom was promised to the Jews. Gentiles could be blessed only through Christ crucified and risen. Cf. John 12:20-24.

Verse 6

lost sheep

(Greek - ἀπόλλυμι )." (See Scofield " :-") . Also, Matthew 15:24; Matthew 15:26; Acts 13:46.

Verse 8

devils

demons. (See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 9

Provide neither gold

(Cf) Mark 6:8; Mark 6:9; Luke 9:3. The central thought here, urgency, must be kept in mind. The emphasis is upon "provide." Time is not to be taken to search for additional staves or shoes. The disciples were to go in their ordinary sandals, with such staff as they might have, or with none. Cf. Paul, Romans 1:15.

Verse 16

send

The scope of Matthew 10:16-23 reaches beyond the personal ministry of the twelve, covering in a general sense the sphere of service during the present age. Matthew 10:23 has in view the preaching of the remnant. Isaiah 1:9. (See Scofield "Isaiah 1:9- :") in the tribulation Psalms 2:5. See Scofield "Psalms 2:5- :". and immediately preceding the return of Christ in glory ; Deuteronomy 30:3; Acts 1:9-11. See Scofield "Acts 1:9-44.1.11- :". The remnant then will not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Lord comes.

Verse 19

for it shall be given

An instruction to martyrs, not to preachers.

Verse 23

Son of man

(See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 25

Beelzebub

Beelzebul, title of a heathen deity.

Verse 28

hell

(See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 34

peace

Cf. John 14:27. Peace is spoken of in Scripture in three ways:

(1) "Peace with God" Romans 5:1 this is the work of Christ into which the individual enters by faith ; Ephesians 2:14-17; Romans 5:1.

(2) "The peace of God" Philippians 4:7 inward peace, the state of soul of that believer who, having entered into peace with God through faith in Christ, has also committed to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving all his anxieties ; Luke 7:50; Philippians 4:6.

(3) Peace "on earth" Luke 2:14; Psalms 72:7; Psalms 85:10; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:1-12 the universal prevalency of peace in the earth under the kingdom. Matthew 10:34 was Christ's warning that the truth which He was proclaiming would not bring in the kingdom age of peace, but conflict rather. John 14:27.

Verse 41

righteous

Righteousness. (See Scofield " :-") .