Matthew 10

Matthew 10:1-4

In answer to the prayers enjoined in the former chapter for faithful labourers, we have, 1. The general commission that was given them, ver. 1. 2. The names of the persons to whom this commission was given, ver. 2—4. 3. The instructions that were given them, which are very full and particular, (1.) Concerning the services they were to do, ver. 5—15. (2.) Concerning the sufferings they were to undergo; with the counsel given, and support promised to them, ver. 16—42. And these things, though primarily intended for direction to the applies them, are of use to all Christ’s ministers, with whom he is, and will be always to the end of the world.

1. AND when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to call them out, and to heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease. 2. Now the Names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, 3. Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus. 4. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Those whom our Lord intended to be his ministers and ambassadors, he had before called to be his attendants, that they might learn from his divine instructions the truths they must preach to others, and imitate his bright example which they beheld. None can possibly be fit for the ministry, or be called of God to take that office upon them, who have not felt been caught of Christ by communion with him, and acquaintance with his word, the blessed truths they are to declare to others, and been furnished with gifts as well as graces for that arduous employment. It is the scandal of any church, and must be the ruin of the people’s souls, when such are sent forth as ministers who are themselves ignorant, careless, and unacquainted with the glorious truths of God, and merely take up the ministry as a maintenance, and they who send them shall share their guilt.

1. Christ called them unto him in private, from the rest of the disciples, and with their commission to preach his gospel, unveiled them with authority over the unclean spirits and diseases of every kind, that by their miracles they might confirm their mission. Note, (1.) A particular call is needed for the ministry, besides the general one to be Christ’s disciples; and we must for this clear, before we presume to run. (2.) The great design of the gospel-ministry is to oppose and destroy Satan’s power over the hearts of men. Though bodily possessions may be left frequent, his empire over men’s souls is still mighty, and nothing but the power of the gospel can effectually call out the unclean spirit from the fallen heart. (3.) In the grace of Jesus there is a cure for every sickness; none of our spiritual maladies are to inveterate, but there is in his word medicine that can heal the sickness.

2. The number and names of the apostles are recorded. They were twelve in number, according to the tribes of Israel, to whom they were sent. They are mentioned in pairs, being sent forth by two and two, as mutual helps to each other, and some of them were brethren in blood, as well as apostleship; and happy it is where relations are thus, by grace, doubly united. Peter is placed first, not as invested with superior power over his fellow-labourers, but as among those who were first called, and appeared ever most zealous in the cause. Matthew, the writer of this gospel, humbly sets Thomas before himself, though the other evangelists place him after Matthew; and he adds his former occupation, the publican, as a soul to set off the distinguished grace of Jesus to him, and to keep him lowly in his own eyes, remembering from whence he was taken. Simon, another of the same name with Peter, is distinguished from him, by being called the Canaanite, either from his city, Cana of Galilee, or, as the name signifies, he was of the mother, Luke vs. 15: a sect among the Jews, who in imitation of Phineas, out of pretended zeal for God’s glory, executed vengeance on offenders, without any process before the magistrates. Judas the traitor is the last. The purest societies will have some such among them; he is called Iscariot, concerning which there are many conjectures; the most probable forms to be, that it was given him from the place of his nativity, and to distinguish him from the other Judas or Jude, the brother of James.

3. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. 6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, call out devils; freely ye have received, freely give. 9. Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brash, in your purses: 10. Not scrap for your journey, neither two coasts, neither shoes, nor yet slaves: (for the workmen is worthy of his meat.) 11. And into wharborer city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go thence. 12. And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: when ye depart out of that house, or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15. Verily I say unto you, ‘It shall

be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

o. 5—15. Christ having given the apostles their commission, directs them how to discharge it might.

1. Their ministry must be confined to the lost sheep of the house of Israel alone, and therefore they are forbidden to visit any city of the Gentiles or Samaritans. The covenant of peculiarity was not yet dissolved, and for the father’s sake the Jews were beloved. It was careful therefore that to thank the Gospel should first be preached; that the elect of God among them might be gathered in, and the rest left inexcusable in their infidelity.

2. The subject of their preaching must be the same that John at first, and Jesus himself had unvictured, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and therefore urging all men to repent and turn to God, as because the true members of the Messiah’s kingdom. Note, (1.) Truth is uniform. Novel doctrines carry their own confection along with them. (2.) The nearness of Christ’s coming in his kingdom should question one diligence to prepare to meet him.

3. They are directed to work miracles in confirmation of their mission, and to engage the reader attention to their doctrine: in the name of Jesus they shall be enabled to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise even the dead, and call out devils from the possessed; evidences these of divine powers, which none who were not willingly oblivious, could withstand; and for these acts of benevolence to men’s bodies or souls, they must neither desire nor receive the least reward, shewing their disinterested zeal and charity, and giving as freely as they had received. Note, Nothing more evidently characterises the faithful ministers of Christ, than their disinterested labours, not seeking gain for themselves, but the good of mankind.

4. They need not be at all disillusion about a provision in their journey; nor should they take either money in their purse, or meat in their scrap, or change of garments, or any other than the cloaths they had on, the fondals on their feet, and the dust in their hands: he who employed them in their work, will take care they shall not want. Though they may not desire to enrich themselves by their labours, they justly deferred their maintenance. Note, Though ministers must not seek filthy lures, they have a right to a disillusion; and they who preach the gospel shall live by the gospel.

5. As they were going into places where they were utterly unknown, their first enquiry must be who was warmly in the place, not of the gospel or the grace of God, but who was most noted for hospitality, and the entertainment of strangers, and abide in their house during their stay, if they found a welcome. In which case, entering with kindest wishes of every temporal, spiritual, and eternal blessing, they should salute the matter and his household; and if they received a courteous and hearty entertainment, then all the blessings they wished for should descend upon that house: but if their salute was returned with coldness or incivility, then their good wishes should not be lost; but instead of descending on that family, should return with blessings upon their own souls. But we to that house or city that should, by their unkind behaviour, compel them to depart! They are commanded to shake off the dust of the feet against them, either as testifying their abhorrence of their wickedness in thrilling the gospel from them, or as a testimony against them in the day of judgment; at which awful season even Sodom and Gomorrah would not meet with so heavy a doom, as these who rejected the counsel of God against their own souls. Note, (1.) Though in the light of God all are upon a level, and can plead no desert before him, yet respecting men some have more worthy characters, and are of a more generous spirit than others. (2.) Religion is never a plea for rudeness or morality: to be courteous is a gospel-duty. (3.) No good wishes are ever lost; the prayers offered for the evil and unthankful will bring a blessing to us, if they procure none for them. (4.) Nothing is lost by being employed in God’s service, and the support of the gospel; no money laid out in any way will bring richer returns than this. (5.) They who reject God’s ministers reject him, whose ambassadors they are; so he will interpret it, and avenge their quarrel. (6.) When any place or people flight the gospel, justly doth God take it from them. (7.) There is a day of judgment at hand, when among the various degrees of punishment which will be inflicted on sinners, none will endure so heavy vengeance as those against whom the dust of a slightest and rejected gospel shall rise up for a testimony.

6. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and barraless as doves. 17. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. 18. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak,

Matthew 10:16-42

As they were now beginning the work of their ministry, our Lord informs them of the troubles and persecutions to which they will be hereafter exposed in the exercise of their office; that when they came, they might not think some frange thing had happened unto them as they might otherwise do, if their heads were filled with the hopes of a temporal kingdom. And that they may not be at a loss in these reasons of trial, they have here gracious encouragements to support them, and directions for their conduct in such emergencies. 1. They must expect to meet with many difficulties and much suffering. They were harmless and defenceless as sheep, and were going forth into a world where they would be worried by wicked men, fierce and savage as wolves: for Christ’s name take, and for their fidelity to him, they would be hated; the natural heart being full of enmity against God and his image, and this being at the root of all persecution, with whatever fabulous pretences the wicked fear to cloak their animosity. They would be arrested as criminals, and brought to the bar; the arm of justice which should be stretched forth to protect the innocent, having in all ages, through false misrepresentations and partial judges, born made the means of the most cruel opperations of God’s people. They would be exposed to suffer in their parings, even unto death, so far will the inveterate makes of their enemies go; not content with scourging them, and putting them to shame, v. 17. they will persecute some even unto blood, and with all the ignominy of a public execution take a way their lives. To give a process for such cruelties, they will be branded with every opportune name, ver. 25. and their chanature is detained, as if they were very female of hell. This being the art of persecutors in every age to misrepresent the people of God, and dress them up in the most odious colours, the more easily to destroy them. So far, therefore, from that outward peace and prosperity which the Jews fancied would attend the Messiah’s kingdom, they must look for the sword of persecution, and a state of constant variance and warfare with the world which lieth in wickedness, v. 34, 35. That gospel of peace, which in itself breathes such charity and good-will to men, through the perverseness of the natural heart, would give occasion to the most implacable feuds; difference of religion being the ground of the most cruel persecutions. Now these things they are warned of, that they may count the evil, and knowing the consequences, their choice may be deliberate and fixed. These trials also would be the more fevers, considering the persons from whom they would come, from men, ver. 17, even those of their own nation; from the very persons to whom they preached, and for whose souls they laboured. From all men, men of all ranks and degrees, and from the world in general which lieth in wickedness; few of whom would renew their testimony, and the rest would be not only hardened, but exasperated against them. From the great men, the kings and governors of the earth, who would employ their power in oppressing and opposing them, for the gospel seldom meets with friends among the great. Yes, from those who made a flow of religion, even in the synagogues they would find the most inveterate foes, v. 19, who would even count God honoured in the punishment they inflicted on them, and place their bitterest malice to the score of zeal for his glory: and such persecutors on principle are the world of persecutors. And finally, what would be of all others the most irksome to be born, from their nearest and dearest relations the most unnatural enmity may be expected. The nearest ties of blood shall be dissolved, even brothers shall lose all fraternal affection; yes, parents turn unnatural to their own offspring, and children forget all duty and regard, v. 21. Even daughters shall rise up against their mothers, and the daughterin-law, who before lived peaceably with her mother-in-law, will now entertain the deadliest animosity; inflamed with blind zeal and bigotry, as if from the moment their dearest relatives embraced the gospel of Jesus, no affection or respect was henceforward due to them, no measures to be kept with them, but that with implacable enmity they must be persecuted, acceded, or murdered; so that a man’s bitterest foes shall be those of his own household, and this hath been grievously verified by the experience of past ages; and more or less, as our good convertation in Christ exhibits the stronger contrast to the ways of a world which lieth in wickedness, will be the case to the end of time. 2. Christ gives them counsel and encouragement how to bear up under these heavy trials. His counsel is, (1.) Be wise as serpent. When we have crafty enemies to deal with, we are bound to use every prudential means for our own preservation, and as far as may be to counteract their mischievous designs, nor unnecessarily expose ourselves to danger. (2.) Be harmless as deers; give no needless provocation; shew no rancour or ill will in return for any injuries; manifest that genuine simplicity and harmlessness of conduct, which may cut off occasion from those who desire occasion; and then the subtlety of the serpent is laudable, when thus joined with the innocence of the dove. (3.) Beware of men. Be cautious whom you trust, and with whom you are connected. In this false and wicked world, we must not hastily believe every word, or be open to every plausible prowessor: prudent reserve often keeps us from fruitless repentance. (4.) When they persecute you in one city, flee into another. In cases where life is in danger, or without opposition prevents all opportunity of exercising our ministry, then to flee is duty, provided no unlawful means are used to escape; and that we follow the leading-up providence, not deferring our past through fear, but maintaining our zeal and integrity unshaken. (5.) Fear not then take me kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, this mortal life is the utmost to which their rage can extend; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. The soul is the valuable part of man, the body is but dust; and however great the terrors of persecutors may be, the terrors of the Lord are greater; the everlasting burnings of hell, the wrath of the eternal God, and the suffering both of soul and body in torment, without measure and without end, must be remembered as an antidote against the fear of man, when he comes armed with every instrument of torture, racks, gibbetts, fire or sword. How much better is it heavily to endure a momentary pang, and in an instant be gone beyond all the malice of persecutors, than by bade compliance provoke God, from whose hands none can deliver us, and whose wrath will be for ever wrath to come! (6.) What I call you in darkness, that speak ye in light. Let nothing intimidate you from a bold and open profession and ministration of the gospel; and what ye hear in the ear, of my secrets communicated to you as your friend, or mother, that being the custom of the Jewish doctors to whisper in their disciples ears, that preach ye upon the house tops, which being low and flat roasted, a person might be heard in the streets from them difinestly;

friendly; and this intimates, that in the most public places of concourse, they must deliver their message without fear or shame. Christ’s gospel looks no covert, nor must his ministers conceal any thing from their hearers of the whole counsel of God.

The encouragement proposed to them boldly to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, is great as the dangers they had to grapple with were intimidating.

1. Firstly I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over, or finished, the cities of Israel, till the Sun of man be come. Before they could have finished their testimony, they would see the kingdom of heaven, which they preached, come with power; when, after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and the effusion of the Holy Good upon them, they should be endowed with greater powers, and see the most wonderful effects of their ministry, the prospect of which should quicken them in their present labours.

2. They need not be under any concern about what they should say when brought before their superiors, and accused by their enemies, for it shall be given you in the same hour when ye shall speak; being under a divine guidance they should never be at a loss, but should be enabled to vindicate the truth with the most powerful arguments, and to deliver themselves with greatest propriety, to the astonishment of their adversaries; endowed with wisdom and power more than human, which the most subtle of them! And shall not be able either to gamble or trifle; for it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father which pleadeth in, or by, you; and when on emergencies we are suddenly called forth to speak for Christ, if his glory be our single aim, we shall still find the same teaching and strength, and may comfortably trout him for assistance.

3. Their very sufferings should tend to propagate the gospel they preached, and be for a testimony against Jesus and Genuine, before whole tribunal, when brought as criminals, they would have a more public opportunity of bearing witness to the glorious truths of God; and if they fealed them with their blood, as martyrs, this would be a stronger confirmation of the truth of their million, and leave those who rejected their testimony inexcusable.

4. He must endureth to the end shall be saved. These light afflictions are but for a moment, their end is near, death at the worst shall put a period to them, a little patience and perseverance will make them more than conspicuous, and the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory will infinitely overpay all the sufferings of this present time.

5. They could never be treated worse than their matter had been before them. Whatever persecution or reproach they might endure, He, who was so greatly their superior, had suffered the same. They had called him Bethabach, a devil, the prince of the devils, and treated him with every imaginable ignominy; and this contradiction of sinners he patiently endured. Having therefore so glorious an example before them, they might well be content to bear his reproach, and count it their honour to be made like their Lord and Master. Who of us should start at shame, infelt, or suffering, when we look to Jesus, and see what he endured?

6. There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, nor hid that shall not be known. However their enemies might look to supprel the word of truth, it should blaze forth in spite of all opposition; and their characters, though blackened by the most malignant calumnies, should quickly be vindicated, their innocence proved, their integrity vindicated either in this world, or at farthest at that great day, when every man’s work shall be tried of what sort it is, and they be declared faithful, and exalted to glory in the sight of men and angels. Little need we then regard the revilings of men, when our judgment is with our God, and he shall soon bring forth our righteousness as the light.

7. They shall be under the peculiar care of providence, and therefore might comfortably and confidently trust, and not be afraid. If a sparrow falls not to the ground, poor and worthless as it is, without the cognizance, and only according to the will of the eternal God, whose providence extends to the very least and lowest creatures lie hath made; and who hath left nothing to chance or contingency, but hath enrolled in his eternal decrees every event the most minute, as well as the most important, which cannot but come to pass according to the counsel of his will: nay, if the very hairs of their head are numbered, and not one of them can fall unknown or unnoticed, how little need they fear death or danger; their enemies, however inveterate, can have no power over them, except it be given them from above; and they may be assured the least evil cannot reach them without the divine permission. They are of mere value than many sparrows, and therefore not only as men, but as disciples dear to Jesus, may expect his peculiar care and protection. Now, True faith in God’s providence will silence all our fears, and these them as fruitless as they are sinful, since the counsel of the Lord that shall stand.

8. According as they are faithful, they will be owned or rejected by Jesus, at the great day of his appearing and glory. Whatever therefore shall confess me before men, how will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Whatever reproach or

danger a bold and open profession of Jesus may expose us to, it will redound to our distinguished honour in the day of Christ, when the great Judge and Lord of all shall testify his approbation of our conduct before men and angels, and present us before the throne of God, as proved and found faithful, and who shall therefore be advanced to glory, honour, and immortality. But whatever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven; whoever through counsel him, or shame, starts back in the day of trial, and hides or denies his profession before men, he shall be dishoned by me in the great day, rejected with abhorrence, and exposed to everlasting shame and contempt for such false spoilage. Every motive, therefore, of fear or hope, urges us to be faithful.

9. Whatever their losses may be for Christ, they shall be abundantly gainers in the end. It is true they may be called upon to part with every thing near and dear to them, and must love the Lord Jesus and his service above all besides, ready to sacrifice every thing for him when it stands in competition with his glory. Neither father, mother, son, or daughter, must rival him in our hearts; nay, our very lives must not be dear unto us, when for his false called to lay them down. Whatever cross the Lord Jesus calls us to endure, whatever commands he is pleased to lay upon us, we are not worthy of a name among his disciples, unless we cheerfully take it up, and obediently follow him: and indeed in so doing, we most effectually consult our own advantage and safety. For in that instant his life, preserving it at the expense of some false compliance, or unfaithful conduct, shall fail it; all the comforts of it shall be embittered to him here, and he shall perish eternally; so that in the issue he shall see his folly great as his foes: whilst he that isles his life for my sake, ready to lay it down when called for, rather than take one step out of the path of duty, he shall find it at the resurrection of the just, with most ample compensation for all his losses, in the eternal blessedness of body and soul with God in glory.

Lastly, Though they would find many enemies, they would meet also with faithful friends; whom, for their kindness to his disciples, he would abundantly reward. He would regard every instance of respect and affection shown to them as done to himself, and God the Father will assuredly repay it. Whoever therefore received their word, or the word of those who should succeed them, and shewed kindness to their persons as the ministers and prophets of the Lord, he shall receive a popular reward, blessed by his labours, and sharing with him in the promise of eternal happiness. And in like manner, he that recitwith a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, loving and kind to him, not for any worldly, personal, or private considerations, but purely on account of him whose image he bears, he shall receive a righteous man’s reward, partaking with him that life and glory which is the gift of God in Jesus Christ, the reward, not of debt, but of grace. Nay, the very least and most inconsiderable favours shown to the very meanest disciples, if but a cup of cold water, shall be remembered and incorporated at the resurrection of the just. Considerations there, admirably suited to comfort them under all their trials and afflictions, and embolden them with fidelity to persevere. And we are alike interested in these things, and should be comforted and encouraged under all our troubles for the gospel’s sake, with the same reviving expectations.