Study Desk

Summoning His 12 disciples,^(a) He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every^[a] disease and sickness.^(b)

These are the names of the 12 apostles:^(c) First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Philip and Bartholomew;^[b] Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;^[c]

Simon the Zealot,^[d] and Judas Iscariot,^[e] who also betrayed Him.^(d)

Jesus sent out these 12 after giving them instructions: "Don't take the road leading to other nations, and don't enter any Samaritan^(e) town.

Instead, go to the lost sheep^(f) of the house of Israel.^(g)

As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'^(h)

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons.⁽ⁱ⁾ You have received free of charge; give free of charge.

Don't take along gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts. ^(j)

Don't take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick, for the worker^(k) is worthy of his food.

"When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave.

Greet a household when you enter it,^(l)

and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it. But if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you.^(m)

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet⁽ⁿ⁾ when you leave that house or town.

I assure you: It will be more tolerable on the day of judgment^(o) for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. ^(p)

"Look, I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.^(q)

Because people will hand you over to sanhedrins^[f] and flog you in their synagogues,^(r) beware of them.

You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations.^(s)

But when they hand you over, don't worry about how or what you should speak.^(t) For you will be given what to say at that hour,

because you are not speaking, but the Spirit^(u) of your Father is speaking through you. ^(v)