AND WHEN HE HAD CALLED UNTO HIM HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES ... - This account of sending the apostles forth is recorded also in Mark 6:7, and Luke 9:1. Mark says that he sent them out two and two. This was a kind arrangement, that each one might have a companion, and that thus they might visit more places... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES - The account of their being called is more fully given in Mark 3:13, and Luke 6:12. Each of those evangelists has recorded the circumstances of their appointment. They agree in saying it was done on a mountain; and, according to Luke, it was done before the serm... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIP AND BARTHOLOMEW - These two were probably sent out together. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. He is not the same as Philip the evangelist, mentioned in Acts 6:5; Acts 21:8. Bartholomew (literally, “the son of Tolmai”). THOMAS - Literally, “a twin,” in reference... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON THE CANAANITE - Luke calls him “Simon Zelotes,” the zealous. It is probable that he was one of a small sect of the Jews called “Zealots,” on account of special zeal in religion. His native place was probably “Cana.” Afterward he might with propriety be called by either title. JUDAS ISCARIOT -... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES - That is, among the Gentiles, or nowhere but among the Jews. The full time for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles was not come. It was proper that it should be first preached to the Jews, the ancient covenant people of God, and the people among whom the Messiah was bo... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP ... - That is, to the Jews. He regarded them as wandering and lost, like sheep straying without a shepherd. They had been the chosen people of God; they had long looked for the Messiah; and it was proper that the gospel should be first offered to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND - Or, more literally, the “reign” of heaven, or of God, draws near. See the notes at Matthew 3:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE - That is, they were not to sell their favors of healing, preaching, etc. They were not to make a money-making business of it, to bargain specifically to heal for so much, and to cast out devils for so much. This, however, neither then nor afterward precluded the... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 6:8, and Luke 9:3. In both these places the substance of this account is given, though not so particularly as in Matthew. The general subject is the instructions given to the apostles. Matthew 10:9 PROVIDE NEITHER GOLD NOR SILVER, NOR BRASS - This prohibition of gold, silver, and bra... [ Continue Reading ]
AS SHEEP IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES - That is, I send you, inoffensive and harmless, into a cold, unfriendly, and cruel world. Your innocence will not be a protection. BE WISE AS SERPENTS ... - Serpents have always been an emblem of wisdom and cunning, Genesis 3:1. The Egyptians used the serpent in thei... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BEWARE OF MEN - That is, be on your guard against people who are like wolves, Matthew 10:16. Do not run unnecessarily into danger. Use suitable prudence and caution, and do not needlessly endanger your lives. COUNCILS - The word used here commonly signifies the great council of the nation, the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YE SHALL BE BROUGHT ... - This prediction was completely and abundantly fulfilled, Acts 5:26; Acts 12:1; Acts 23:33; Acts 26:1, Acts 26:28, Acts 26:30. Peter is said to have been brought before Nero, and John before Domitian, Roman emperors; and others before Parthian, Scythian, and Indian kings... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE NO THOUGHT - That is, be not anxious or unduly solicitous. See the notes at Matthew 6:25. This was a full promise that they should be inspired, and was a most seasonable consolation. Poor, and ignorant, and obscure fishermen would naturally be solicitous what they should say before the great me... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE BROTHER SHALL DELIVER UP THE BROTHER ... - Were there no evidence that this had been done, it would scarcely be “credible.” The ties which bind brothers and sisters, and parents and children together, are so strong that it could scarcely be believed that division of sentiment on religious su... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL BE HATED OF ALL MEN - That is, of all kinds of people. The human heart would be opposed to them, because it is opposed to Christ. BUT HE THAT ENDURETH TO THE END ... - That is, to the end of life, be it longer or shorter. He that bears all these unspeakable sufferings, and who does not shr... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY PERSECUTE ... - The apostles were not permitted to “throw away” their lives. Where they could preserve them without denying their Lord, they were to do it. Yet all the commands of Christ, as well as their conduct, show that they were rather to lay down their lives than deny their Saviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER ... - That is, you must expect the same treatment which I have received. They have called me, your Master and Teacher, Beelzebub, the prince of the devils (see Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15; John 8:48), and you must expect that they will call all of the family by the... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR THEM NOT ... - He encouraged them by the assurance that God would protect them. and that their truth and innocence should yet be vindicated. It is probable that the declaration, There is nothing covered, etc., was a proverb among the Jews. By it our Saviour meant that their “innocence,” their “... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT I SAY TO YOU IN DARKNESS ... - That is, in “secret,” in “private,” in “confidence. The private instructions which I give you while with me do you proclaim publicly, on the “house-top.” The “house-top,” the flat roof, was a public, conspicuous place. See 2 Samuel 16:22. See also the notes at Mat... [ Continue Reading ]
THEM WHICH KILL THE BODY - That is, people, who have no power to injure the soul, the immortal part. The body is a small matter in comparison with the soul. Temporal death is a slight thing compared with eternal death. He directs them, therefore, not to be alarmed at the prospect of temporal death,... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE NOT TWO SPARROWS ... - He encourages them not to fear by two striking considerations: first, that God takes care of sparrows, the smallest and least valuable of birds; and, secondly, by the fact that God numbers even the hairs of the head. The argument is, that if He takes care of birds of the l... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL CONFESS ME ... - The same word in the original is translated “confess” and “profess,” 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 John 1:7; Romans 10:10. It means to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ, and our dependence on him for salvation, and our attachment to him, in every proper manner. This pr... [ Continue Reading ]
THINK NOT THAT I AM COME ... - This is taken from Micah 7:6. Christ did not here mean to say that the object of his coming was to produce discord and contention, for he was the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:6; Luke 2:14; but he means to say that such would be one of the effects of his comin... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT LOVETH FATHER OR MOTHER ... - The meaning of this is clear. Christ must be loved supremely, or he is not loved at all. If we are not willing to give up all earthly possessions, and forsake all earthly friends, and if we do not obey him rather than all others, we have no true attachment to hi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE THAT TAKETH NOT HIS CROSS ... - When persons were condemned to be crucified, a part of the sentence was that they should carry the cross on which they were to die to the place of execution. Thus, Christ carried his, until he fainted from fatigue and exhaustion. See notes at Matthew 27:31. The... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT FINDETH HIS LIFE ... - The word “life” in this passage is used evidently in two senses. The meaning may be expressed thus: He that is anxious to save his “temporal” life, or his comfort and security here, shall lose “eternal” life, or shall fail of heaven. He that is willing to risk or lose... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT RECEIVETH YOU ... - In all these three illustrations Christ meant to teach substantially the same thing - that he that would entertain kindly or treat with hospitality himself, his disciples, a prophet, or a righteous man, would show that he approved their character, and should not fail of p... [ Continue Reading ]