Matthew 10

Christ gives his Apostles power to work miracles, 1 Their names, 2. Sends them to preach amongst the people of Israel, 5 Instrust them how to sit themselves for the Journey, and how to carry themselves towards those that received them, and that recieve them not, 8. What troubles they shall met withal, and what they have to comfort themselves withal in them all,16. Teacheth what reward they have to expect, that confess him constantly, 32. and are bountiful towards his servants, 40.

1. And having called his twelve Disciples unto him he gave them power [Namely, to work miracles in his name, and by the power of God; not by their own power, see Acts 3:12,16.] over (oragainst) unclean spirits, to cats them out, and to heal every sickness and every disease.

2. Now the names of the twelve Apostles are these: The first, Simon, called Peter , [Peter is here named first, not because he had power and authority over the rest; which Gods Word no where teacheth; seeing that herein the Apostles were equal one to another, John 20:22, 23. but as it seems, because he was the eldest , and first called the Apostleship by christ , Matth. 4. 18. Otherwise James is also first named, before Peter, Galatians 2:9. Or else because he with his brother Andrew, was the first pair which were sent forth] and Andrew his brother : james the (son) of Zebedee, and John his brother.

3. Philip, and Bartholomew: Thomas and Matthew the publicans, [that is, who had been a publican. see Matth 9. verse 9. is called Levi, Mark 2. verse. 14. Luke 5:27, 29.] James the (son) of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, sirnamed Thaddai in the Syriack is Judas in the Hebrew, which was first name, See John 14:22. Though some think that this is yet a third name of this Apostle, and of another Original; he is also sirnamed Lebbeus.]

4. Simon the Cananite [That is, Zealot; Gr. Zelotes; like as the first Simon is sirnamed Peter, so is this second sirnamed Cananite; i.e. Zealot: to distinguish him from the other: see Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13.] and Judas Iscariot, [Some think that this Judas was called from the City Kirioth, lying in the Tribes of Judah, Joshua 15:25. Other from Decarjuth, which signifies a purse, because he carried the purse, John 12:6.] who also betrayed him. [Gr. delievered him over

5. these twelve jesus sent forth ; and gave them command, saying, ye shall not go on the way of the Gentiles, neither shhall ye enter into ?(any) City of the Samaritans. [The Samaritans are here joined with the Gentiles, and distinguished from them, because that however they were on Gentiles – off – spring; yet they hhad taken up many Ceremonies of the Jews. See 2 Kings 17.]

6. But go much rather, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [That is, the Jews, who were as wandering sheep, without true Teachers. To these the Gospel must first be preached, Matth 15. 24. Acts 13:46.]

7. And going on, preach, saying, the Kingdome of Heaven is come nigh.

8. Heal the sick, [Gr. infirm] cleanse the Lepers, raise up the dead, cast out Devils. Ye have received it for nothing, give it for nothing.

9. Get ye neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, (mony) [Namely, for provision on your journey] in your girdles [Or, purse; for the Jews had broad thongs, or girdles, to truss up their long garments therewith, in which they likewise carried theor money.]

10. Nor scrip for the way, neither two Coats, [That is, no clothes but those which they had no] neither shoes, nor staff: For the labourer is worthy of his food.

11. And into what City or Town ye shall come in, in Enquire who therein is worthy, [That is to say, who will willingly embrace the Gospel, Acts 2:41. which worthiness no man hath of himself, but he that the Lord by spirit, makes worthy and meet for it, Matth 22.8,9. 2 Cor. 3.5.] and there abide until ye go forth (thence), [that is to say, out of that city or Town]

12. And when ye enter into the house, salute the same:[That is to say, with those that dwell there in peace and happiness, as appears in the following verse. Other adde thereto; saying, peace be to this house: see Luke 10:5.]

13. And if that house be worthy, let your peace come upon he same; but if be not worthy, let your peace return unto you.

14. And if any shall not receive you, nor hear your words; going forth out of that house, or outof that City, shake off the dust of your feet. [To signifie thereby, that from thenceforward they desired to have no communion at all with them. See Acts 13:51 and chap 18. 6 see the like, Nehem.5. 13.]

15. Verily i say unto uou, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodome and Gomora [or, the land of those of Sodom , and Gomorra] in the day of judgment, then for that City.

16. Behold, i send you as sleep in the middest of wolves: Be ye therefore prudent as the Serpents, and upright as the Doves. [or, simple. The Greek wordis by similitude taken from things that are unmixed, and unsalsified.

17. But take heed of men: For they will delivery you up into Council – Assemblies, [Gr. Synedria see the exposition thereof, Matthew 5:22. an example, Acts 5:40.] and their syanagogues will they scourge you.

18. And ye shall also be bed before Governours, [Namely, of Provinces, like as were Festus, and Felix, and the like. See Acts 24:10. and 1 Pet 2.14. see likewise Nehem. 5.] and Kings for my sake, for a testimony unto them and the Gentiles.

19. But when they deliver you over; ye shall not be careful how much or what shall speak. [Not that we may not bethink our selves before – hhand; or pray to God for wisdom, but that we must not be too much perplexed or troubled thereabout. See Acts 4:29] For it shall be given you in the same house, what ye shall speak.

20. For it is not ye that speak, but (it is) the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21. And the (one) brother shall deliver over the (other) brother to death, and the Father the childe, and the children shall rise up against the parents, and shall put them to death. [Or, bring them to death]

22. And ye shall be hated of all for my names sake; but hhe that shall abide steadfast to the end, he shall be saved.

23. Therefore when they persecute you in this City, flee into another: for verily i say unto you, ye shall not have finishhed (your journey through) the city of Israel, but the son of man shhall be come. [that is, shall come again unto you, and meet you.]

24. The disciple is not above the Master, nor the servant above his Lord.

25. Let it (be) enough for the Disciple, thhat hhe be as his Master, and the servant as hhis Lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebul [Other read Beelzebub; whhich was the chiefest Idol of the Ekronites, 2 Kings 1:2. By which name the Jews called the Prince of the Devils, because the Idols of the Heathen were Devils. see 1 Cor. 10.20.] how much more those of his household.

26. Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, which shall not be discovered, and hid, whichh shall not be made known.

27. That which i sa to win in darkeness, speak, speak it in thhe light; and that which ye hear in the ear [thhat is, that which ye in particular have heard from me; declare it publiquely or with a loud voice] preach that upon thhe roofs. [that roofs of the Jews house were flat above, with the rail round about from whence men could coveniently speak to people in the streets. See Deuteronomy 22:8.]

28. And be not afraid of those that kill the body; and are not able to kill the soul: But fear him much rather; who can destroy both body and soul in Hell.

29. Are not two sparrow [Otherwise little birds]sold for a penny? [Gr. Assarion, which was a peice of money weighing about four grains or aces of silver, worth about a half s stiver, Polib. lib. 2.] And not one of these shall fall on the earth without your Father.

30. And even the hairs of your head are all numbred.

31. Fear not therefore, ye excel many sparrows.

32. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, him i also confess [i.e. acknoledge him for my true Discipline. Like as to deny one is not to acknoledge him for his true Disciple. See Matth. 7.23.] before my Father which (is) in the Heavens.

33. But whosoever shall have denied me before men, him will i also deny before my Father which (is) in the Heavens.

34. Think not that i am come to bring peace on the earth: i am not to come to bring peace, but the sword. [That is, division and persecution: which should follow upon Preaching: whereof Christ is not properly the cause; whoch is the Prince of peace, Esa 9.5. nor his Gospel, which is a Gospel of peace, Ephes.6. verse. 15. but the obstinancy of those who reject the same, and hhate the faithful, and persecute them maliciously.]

35. For i am come to set a man at variance against his Father, and the daugther against her mother,and the daughter in law [or she that is new-married,or Bride] against her mother in law.

36. And they (shall be) a mans enemies,whhich (are) of his (own) houshold.

37. He that loveth father or mother above me,is not worthy of me,and he that loveth son or daughter above me,is not worthy of me.

38. And he that taketh not his cross (upon him) and followeth after me,is not worthy of me.

39. He that findeth his soul [That is,he that would preserve his life,by denying my name,he shall lose the true life,that is,salvation.] shall lose (the) same; and he that shall lose his soul for my sake,shall finde the same.

40. He that receiveth you,receiveth me,and he that receiveth me,receiveth him that sent me.

41. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, [that is to say,for that cause,that he is a Prophet or true Teacher of the holy Gospel] shall receive a Prophets reward : and he that receives a righteous (man) shall receive a rigghteous (mans) reward.

42. And whoso giveth to drink to one of these little ones [That is,who are here esteemed little : or that might be reckoned for the very least] a cup of cold (water) only,[that is to say,even the least service or good turn,because he is a true Disciple or Member of Christ] in the name of a Disciple, verily i say unto you,he shall in no wise lose his reward.