Sheep without a shepherd – Matthew 9:36
Like
sheep without a
shepherd. Shepherd imagery is important in the Bible. God himself is a shepherd for his people (Ps. 23:1, 78:52, 80:1, 100:3; Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:31). Jesus himself is described as the shepherd of God's people (Matt. 2:6; John 10:11; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; Rev. 7:17), and his disciples are later called to serve as faithful shepherds over the church (Acts 20:28-29; 1 Pet. 5:2-4). This is in contrast with the indictment that the prophets make against leaders who are false or unfaithful shepherds (Jer. 23:1; Ezek. 34:3-10; Zech. 11:1-16).
The Missionary Discourse - Matthew 10:1-42
Matthew 10 is the second of five major blocks of teaching in the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 5–7; 10; 13; 18; 23–25). In this block Matthew has gathered together teachings that center around what it means for Jesus' disciples to be a witness in the world. The main message is that as salt and light in the world (Matt. 5:13-16) they will experience two different responses – reception by some and rejection and persecution by others. This was Jesus' own experience and so his disciples should expect the same.
Gave them authority – Matthew 10:1
Gave them authority. Jesus saw the multitude of people who need the healing and restoration that comes from the gospel (Matt. 9:37-38) and so he commissioned his disciples to join him in the work of the gospel of the kingdom. To do so, he gave them authority over demons and disease, the same authority he has been exercising (Matt. 8:28-34).
The Names of the Twelve Apostles - Matthew 10:2
Jesus called twelve disciples (corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel) to be his inner group and who would later be the leaders of the church after his ascension (with Judas being replaced by Matthias, plus the Apostle Paul). Matthew does not record the stories of how each were called (cf. Matt. 4:18-22; John 1:35-51), but Simon Peter is always put at the head of the list because he becomes the leader among the disciples. The mention of Judas Iscariot "who would betray him" foreshadows the events later in the story (Matt. 26:20-25, 47-50).
Not to the Gentiles - Matthew 10:5-6
Do
not go to any
place where
Gentiles live. The goal of Jesus' ministry and the kingdom of God is a new covenant for all people who respond to Jesus in faith (Matt. 26:28). Jesus has already commended many Gentiles for their faith (Matt. 8:10-12), John the Baptist said God could raise up non-Jews to be his children (Matt. 3:9-10), and Matthew has shown Gentiles who believe (Matt. 2:1-12; 15:24). Jesus' Jewish restriction on his disciples' preaching was temporary and served a prophetic function of a final warning of coming judgment on those Jews who have been unfaithful (Matt. 3:9-12; 10:15; 11:21-22; 23:1-38; 24:1-51). Because God loves his chosen people (Rom. 9:1-33), the pattern of the early church was always to offer the message to Jewish people first and then also to the Gentiles (Luke 24:47; Acts 13:46; Rom. 1:16; 2:9-10).
Freely you have received - Matthew 10:8-10
Do not
carry any
gold. When Jesus sent out his disciples he wanted them to live by the principle of "
freely you have received so
freely give" (Matt. 10:8). The temptation to get rich through the power and authority Jesus gave them is best fought by living on whatever God provides rather than seeking to acquire wealth through the ministry.
The Spirit will speak - Matthew 10:11-20
The
Spirit of your
Father who will
speak. All three Persons of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Spirit – are connected here (cf. Matt. 28:19). The promise of Jesus' presence with his disciples after his ascension will come through the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:20; John 14:15-31; Acts 1:8) who will empower and enable the disciples as witnesses in the world.
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