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.”