The Twelve Chosen
Matthew 10, verse 1. And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10, verse 2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Matthew 10, verse 3. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Matthew 10, verse 4. Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Mission and Instructions
Matthew 10, verse 5. These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. Matthew 10, verse 6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10, verse 7. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matthew 10, verse 8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10, verse 9. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, Matthew 10, verse 10. nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Matthew 10, verse 11. “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. Matthew 10, verse 12. And when you go into a household, greet it. Matthew 10, verse 13. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10, verse 14. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Matthew 10, verse 15. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
Persecution and Martyrdom
Matthew 10, verse 16. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10, verse 17. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. Matthew 10, verse 18. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. Matthew 10, verse 19. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; Matthew 10, verse 20. for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Matthew 10, verse 21. “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. Matthew 10, verse 22. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10, verse 23. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Encouragement to Fearless Witness
Matthew 10, verse 24. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. Matthew 10, verse 25. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Matthew 10, verse 26. Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Matthew 10, verse 27. “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. Matthew 10, verse 28. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10, verse 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Matthew 10, verse 30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10, verse 31. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10, verse 32. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10, verse 33. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10, verse 34. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Matthew 10, verse 35. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; Matthew 10, verse 36. and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ Matthew 10, verse 37. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10, verse 38. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10, verse 39. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10, verse 40. “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. Matthew 10, verse 41. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. Matthew 10, verse 42. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”