Frameworks:
Matthew's Gospel, chapter 10
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)
FRAMEWORKS:
Matthew, chapter 10
v.1-5
The Twelve are to go to Israel only
v.7-15
They are to introduce the kingdom
v.16-27
Be prepared for opposition
v.28-31
Encouragement to not be afraid
v.32-33
Owning the Kingdom
v.34-39
Divisions between Believers & Unbelievers
v.40-42
Rewards for Welcoming God's Representatives
v.1-5
The Twelve are to go to Israel only
v.1
(Jesus gives
authority to the twelve) Jesus
called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to
drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
v.2-4
(the Twelve
named) These
are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called
Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother
John; Philip
and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son
of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon
the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
v.5,6
(they were only
to go to Israel) These
twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do
not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Go
rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
v.7-15
They are to introduce the kingdom
v.7
(they were to
announce the coming of the kingdom) As
you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come
near.'
v.8
(they were to
demonstrate it by healings etc.) Heal
the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive
out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
v.9,10
(they were not
to rely on their own provisions) “Do
not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your
belts— no
bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for
the worker is worth his keep.
v.11
(at each town
they were to look for someone who would care for them) Whatever
town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person
and stay at their house until you leave.
v.12
(as they enter
they were to greet the owners) As
you enter the home, give it your greeting.
v.13
(if they were
welcomed they were to bless it with peace) If
the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not,
let your peace return to you.
v.14
(if rejected,
they were just to leave ) If
anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that
home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
v.15
(any town that
rejected the kingdom would come under judgement) Truly
I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on
the day of judgment than for that town.
v.16-27
Be prepared for opposition
v.16
(it's a tough
world, be wise and innocent) “I
am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd
as snakes and as innocent as doves.
v.17
([prophecy] in
days to come they will receive harsh treatment) Be
on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and
be flogged in the synagogues.
v.18
(they will be
Jesus' witnesses before rulers) On
my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses
to them and to the Gentiles.
v.19
(don't worry
if arrested, you'll be given what to say) But
when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to
say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
v.20
(the Holy Spirit
will lead you) for
it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking
through you.
v.21
(families will
be divided over the gospel) “Brother
will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children
will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
v.22
(if you are
hated, remain faithful to the end) You
will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands
firm to the end will be saved.
v.23
(if persecuted,
go elsewhere) When
you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell
you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before
the Son of Man comes.
v.24
(take me as
your example) “The
student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.
v.25
(if I was verbally
abused, so will you) It
is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants
like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,
how much more the members of his household!
v.26
(so don't be
afraid, God will reveal all) “So
do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that
will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
v.27
(so speak it
from the rooftops) What
I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered
in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
v.28-31
Encouragement to not be afraid
v.28
(don't be intimidated
by others, God is above them all) Do
not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body
in hell.
v.29
(your Father
watches all, even the sparrows) Are
not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall
to the ground outside your Father's care.
v.30
(so he knows
even how many hairs you have on your head) And
even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
v.31
(you're worth
much more than many sparrows) So
don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
v.32-33
Owning the Kingdom
v.32
(acknowledge
me and I will acknowledge you in heaven) “Whoever
acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before
my Father in heaven.
v.33
(whoever rejects
me will be rejected by heaven) But
whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father
in heaven.
v.34-39
Divisions between Believers & Unbelievers
v.34
(the gospel
will bring division between believers and non-believers)
“Do
not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did
not come to bring peace, but a sword.
v.35,36
(I'm afraid
even households will turn against each other) For
I have come to turn “‘a man against his father,
a
daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
a
man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' [Micah
7:6]
v.37
(but anyone
who doesn't put me first is not worthy of me) “Anyone
who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not
worthy of me.
v.38
(if you're not
willing to forgo your life you're not worthy of me) Whoever
does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
v.39
(those who put
self first, lose themselves, whoever gives up their life for me,
will find life) Whoever
finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for
my sake will find it.
v.40-42
Rewards for Welcoming God's Representatives
v.40
(welcome me
and your welcome the Father) “
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes
me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
v.41
(whoever receives
a representative of God will be rewarded) Whoever
welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward,
and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person
will receive a righteous person's reward.
v.42
(anyone who
helps one of my followers will be rewarded) And
if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little
ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly
not lose their reward.”