1 Election of the Twelve; 5-42 teaching them. 16 “Like sheep among wolves”; "for my name's sake." 28 “Do not be afraid...” 32 Confessing Christ and denying Him; saving and losing the soul. 40 “Whoever receives Me...”
1 And calling His twelve disciples, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2 And these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James Zebedee, and John his brother,
3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, James Alphaeus and Lebbeus, called Thaddeus,
4 Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent and commanded them, saying: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles and do not enter the city of the Samaritans.;
6 but go especially to the lost sheep of the house of Israel;
7 As you go, preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand;
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons; you received for free, give for free.
9 Do not take with you any gold, silver, or copper in your belts,
10 neither a bag for the journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff, for the worker is worthy of food.
11 Whatever city or village you enter, visit who is worthy in it, and stay there until you leave.;
12 And when you enter a house, greet it, saying: “Peace to this house.”;
13 and if the house is worthy, then your peace will come upon it; if you are not worthy, then your world will return to you.
14 And if anyone does not receive you and does not listen to your words, then, when leaving that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet;
15 Truly I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city.
16 Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves: therefore be ye wise as serpents, and innocent as doves..
17 Beware of people, for they will hand you over to the courts and beat you in their synagogues.,
18 and you will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony before them and the Gentiles.
19 When they betray you, do not worry about how or what to say; for in that hour it will be given to you what to say,
20 for it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you.
21 Brother will betray brother to death, and father his son; and the children will rise up against their parents and kill them;
22 and you will be hated by everyone because of My name; he who endures to the end will be saved.
23 When they persecute you in one city, flee to another. For truly I say to you, before you have gone around the cities of Israel, the Son of Man comes..
24 A student is not higher than a teacher, and a servant is not higher than his master:
25 It is enough for a disciple that he should be like his teacher, and for a servant that he should be like his master. If the master of the house was called Beelzebub, how much more of his household?
26 So, do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not be known..
27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and whatever you hear in your ear, preach on the housetops.
28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but fear Him more who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
29 Are not two small birds sold for an assarium? And not one of them will fall to the ground without will your father;
30 the hairs on your head are all numbered;
31 do not be afraid: you are better than many small birds.
32 Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father in heaven;
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father in heaven.
34 Do not think that I came to bring peace to earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,
35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law..
36 And a man’s enemies are his household.
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and whoever loves a son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
38 and whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who saves his soul will lose it; but he who loses his life for My sake will save it.
40 Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me.;
41 whoever receives the prophet, in the name of the prophet, will receive the reward of the prophet; and whoever receives the righteous, in the name of the righteous, will receive the reward of the righteous.
42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, will not lose his reward..
B. The calling of the twelve disciples (10:1-4)
10,1 In the last verse of chapter 9, the Lord instructed His disciples to pray for more workers. In order for this prayer to be sincere, the students themselves must be willing to go to work. Therefore here we find that the Lord calls His twelve students. He has already chosen them, and now he is calling them to a special evangelistic service to the people of Israel. The call was accompanied by the power to cast out unclean spirits and heal all kinds of diseases. This is where the uniqueness of Jesus is seen. Others also performed miracles, but no one ever transferred this power.
10,2-4 Here are the names twelve apostles:
1. Simon, called Peter. Fierce, generous and loving, he was a natural leader.
2. Andrey, his brother. He was introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist (John 1:36,40). Then he brought his brother Peter to Him. From then on, leading others to Jesus became his passion.
3. Jacob, son of Zebedee, whom Herod later killed (Acts 12:2), the first of the twelve died a martyr’s death.
4. John, his brother. Also the son of Zebedee, he was a disciple whom Jesus loved. We owe to him the fourth Gospel, the three Epistles and Revelation.
5. Philip. A resident of Bethsaida, he brought Nathanael to Jesus. He is not to be confused with Philip the evangelist in the book of Acts.
6. Bartholomew. It is believed that this is the same Nathanael, the Israelite in whom Jesus did not find guile (John 1:47).
7. Thomas, also called Didymus, which means “twin”. Commonly known as "doubting Thomas"; his doubts led to an amazing confession of Christ (John 20:28).
8. Matthew. Former tax collector who wrote this Gospel.
9. Jacob, son of Alphaeus. Nothing definite is known about him.
10. Levvey, nicknamed Thaddeus. He is also known as Judas, son of Jacob (Luke 6:16). The only public mention of him is recorded in John. 14.22.
11. Simon the Canaanite, whom Luke calls Zealot (6.15).
12. Judas Iscariot, traitor to our Lord.
The students at that time were supposedly about twenty years old. They were called from different paths in life and were probably young people of average ability. Their true greatness lay in their fellowship with Jesus.
B. Serving Israel (10.5-33)
10,5-6 This chapter then contains instructions from Jesus concerning a special preaching campaign in house of Israel. It should not be confused with the later mission of the seventy disciples (Luke 10:1) or with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This was a temporary assignment with a special purpose: to announce that the Kingdom of heaven. Although some of the laws are of lasting value to God's people in all ages, the fact that some of them were later abolished by the Lord Jesus is proof that they were not intended to last forever (Luke 22:35-36).
First, a route is set. Students should not have entered the to the pagans or Samaritans- a mixed tribe, hated by Jews. Their ministry at this time was directed exclusively to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
10,7 Their task is to proclaim that The Kingdom of Heaven has come near.
If Israel refuses to accept this message, there will be no excuse for them, because the official announcement was made solely for them. The Kingdom of Heaven has come closer in the Person of the King. Israel must decide whether to accept Him or reject Him.
10,8 The disciples were given credentials to confirm their mission. They had to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead And cast out demons. The Jews demanded miracles (1 Cor. 1:22), so God graciously condescended to give them these miracles.
As for remuneration, the Lord's representatives were not to take any payment for their service.
They received blessings without price and should give them out in the same way.
10,9-10 They did not need to store provisions for the journey. After all, they were Israelites preaching to Israelites, and among the Israelites there was a generally accepted law that the worker deserves his food. Therefore, they do not need to take with them gold, silver, copper, sumu for food, change of clothes, shoes or staves.
This probably refers to spare shoes or a spare staff, since they already had a staff that they were allowed to take (Mark 6:8).
The meaning of this command is that their needs will be met according to the principle of “every day takes care of itself.”
10,11 How were they supposed to take care of housing? When they entered city, then they should have looked in it worthy a master who would accept them as disciples of the Lord and who would be open to receiving the message they carried. If they find such a master, then it is better for them to stay with him throughout their stay in this city and not move on to another, even if they find better living conditions.
10,12-14 If the family accepted them, the disciples had to to greet him politely and with gratitude for his hospitality. On the other hand, if a house refuses to receive the messengers of the Lord, then they are not obliged to pray so that world God was on him, i.e. they should not have called down a blessing on this family. And not only this; they were to show God's displeasure by shaking off dust from their own legs By rejecting Christ's disciples, the family rejected Him Himself.
10,15 Jesus warned that such refusal would bring more severe punishment on the day of judgment, than the punishment of the depraved Sodom and Gomorrah. These words are proof that there will be different degrees of punishment in hell, otherwise how can there be one more gratifying than others?
10,16 In these verses, Jesus gives His twelve disciples advice on what to do if persecution begins. They will be like sheep among wolves, surrounded by evil people intent on destroying them. They have to be wise as snakes avoiding giving useless resistance or being drawn into compromise situations. They should be simple as doves protected by the armor of righteous character and unfeigned faith.
10,17 They should also beware of unbelieving Jews who will drag them to the courts and scourge them in their synagogues. The attacks on them will be both civil and religious.
10,18 They will be led for Christ to rulers and kings. But God's work will triumph over human evil.
"Man has his evil intention, but God has His way." In times of seeming defeat, the disciples will have the incomparable privilege of witnessing before the rulers and pagans. God will turn everything that happens for good. Christianity suffered greatly from the civil authorities, although “not a single doctrine brought so much benefit to those placed in power.”
10,19-20 Students do not need to rehearse what to say during interrogation. When that time comes, Spirit God will give them the necessary holy wisdom to answer in a way that will glorify Christ and completely embarrass their accusers. In interpreting verse 19, two extremes must be avoided.
First, it is naive to assume that a Christian should not prepare for a sermon in advance. Secondly, there is an argument that this verse does not apply to us today. It is right and desirable for the preacher to be in a prayerful state before God, waiting for the appropriate word for each specific case. But it is also true that in times of crisis all believers can count on God's promise to give them the wisdom to speak with Divine inspiration. They become microphones for the Spirit of our Father.
10,21 Jesus warned His disciples that they would face betrayal and betrayal. Brother will inform on his brother Father will betray his son. Children will testify against their own parents, as a result of which the parents will be killed.
J.C. McAuley said it well:
"We are in good surroundings, enduring the hatred of the world... The servant can expect no better treatment at the hands of the enemy than our Lord suffered. If the world could find nothing better for Jesus than the cross, then it could not find a golden carriage for His followers; if for Him there were only thorns, then for us there will be no crowns... Just let us make sure that the world really hates us “because of Christ” and there is nothing in us that is repulsive and unworthy of the merciful God whom we represent.”(J.C. Macaulay, Obedient Unto Death: Devotional Studies in John"sGospel, II:59.)
10,22-23 The students will hated by everyone– not all without exception, but all cultures, nationalities, classes, etc. “He who endures to the end will be saved.” Taken by itself, this verse would seem to suggest that salvation can be earned through steadfast patience. We know that these words cannot be interpreted this way, because throughout Scripture salvation is presented as a free gift of God's grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Nor does this verse mean that those who are faithful to Christ will be saved from physical death; the previous verse predicts the death of some faithful disciples. The explanation is the simplest: patience is a sign of the truly saved. Those who endured to the end during persecution show by their steadfastness that they are true believers.
We find the same saying in Matt. 24:13, where it refers to the faithful remnant of Jews during the great tribulation who refused to compromise their allegiance to the Lord Jesus.
Their patience clearly indicates that they are true disciples.
In biblical passages that deal with the future, the Spirit of God often moves from the near to the distant future. A prophecy can have both an incomplete, immediate meaning and a completed, more distant fulfillment.
For example, the two comings of Christ can be combined in one passage without explanation (Isa. 52:14-15; Mic. 5:2-4). In verses 22 and 23 the Lord Jesus uses the same type of prophetic transition. He warns His disciples of the suffering they will have to endure for His sake; He then appears to be transported back to the time of the great tribulation and sees the disciples as characteristic representatives of His faithful Jewish followers. He moves from the suffering of the first Christians to the suffering that believers will endure before His second coming.
The first part of verse 23 could be applied to the twelve disciples:
“When they persecute you in one city, flee to another.” They are not obliged to remain under tyranny if they can honestly escape it. “Avoiding danger is not a sin, running away from duty is a sin.”
The last part of verse 23 takes us into the future, to the days leading up to Christ's coming to reign: "...you will not have time to go around the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." These words could not refer to the mission of the disciples, because the Son of Man had already come. Some Bible teachers understand this verse to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. However, it is difficult to understand why this destruction can be spoken of as “the coming of the Son of Man.” It seems more plausible to see a reference here to His second coming. During the Great Tribulation, the Jewish brotherhood faithful to Christ will spread the Gospel of the Kingdom everywhere. They will be persecuted and persecuted. But before they can go through all the cities of Israel, Jesus will return to judge His enemies and establish His Kingdom.
There may seem to be a contradiction between verse 23 and Matthew 24:14. It is noted here that Not All cities of Israel will have time to get around before when the Son of Man comes. It says that before His second coming the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world. However, there is no contradiction here. The gospel will be preached throughout the world, although not necessarily to every person. But this preaching will meet with strong resistance, and in Israel the preachers will be severely persecuted and hindered. Therefore, they will not go through all the cities of Israel.
10,24-25 The Lord's disciples often wonder why they should be treated poorly. If Jesus was the Messiah, then why should His disciples suffer instead of reign? In verses 24 and 25, Christ anticipates their confusion and gives an answer by reminding them of their relationship with Him. They are students, He is their Teacher. They are servants and He is their Master. They are members of the household, and He is the Master of the house. To be a student means to follow the Teacher, and not to be above Him.
Servants should not expect to be treated better than their Master. If the venerable Master of the house was named Beelzebub(the god of lies, the Akron god, whose name the Jews used instead of the name “Satan”), then they will insult Him all the more domestic. To be a disciple means to be rejected just like the Master.
10,26-27 Three times the Lord tells His disciples “do not be afraid” (vv. 26, 28, 31). Firstly, they Not must afraid the apparent victory of their enemies; His cause will be vindicated with glory in the coming day. Until now this gospel has been shrouded secret, and His teaching was comparative hidden. But soon the disciples will have to proclaim the Christian teaching, which until now was told to them in secret, i.e. alone.
10,28 Secondly, students Not must afraid capable of killing human anger. The worst thing people can do is kill the body.
Physical death is not the greatest tragedy for a Christian. To die means to be with Christ, and this is incomparably better. Death is liberation from sin, sorrow, illness, suffering and death and the transition to eternal glory. In other words, the worst thing people can do is actually the best thing that can happen to a child of God.
Disciples should not be afraid of people, they should have reverent fear before To those who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. The greatest loss is eternal separation from God, from Christ and from hope. Spiritual death is a loss that cannot be measured and a destruction that cannot be avoided at any cost.
Jesus' words in verse 28 bring to mind St. John Knox's epitaph: "Here lies one who feared God so much that he never feared the face of any man."
10,29 In the midst of suffering, disciples must trust that God cares for them. The Lord teaches us this through the example of the sparrow that lives everywhere. These two little birds were sold for assarium(small coin). But still none of them doesn't die without the will of the Father, without His awareness or presence. As someone said: “God is at the funeral of every sparrow.”
10,30-31 The same God who is personally interested in every sparrow keeps a constant count hair on head each of His children.
A lock of hair, of course, is worth less than a sparrow. This suggests that His people are much more valuable for him, than sparrows. Should we be afraid then?
10,32 Based on the foregoing considerations, what could be more reasonable for the disciples of Christ than to fearlessly confess His in front of people? Any shame or disgrace they have to endure will be richly rewarded in heaven when the Lord Jesus confesses them before to his Father. Here the confession of Christ includes trust in Him as Lord and Savior, and the resulting recognition of Him with life and lips. For most of the twelve disciples, this path led to personal confession of the Lord through martyrdom.
10,33 Denial of Christ on earth will be repaid by renunciation before God in the sky. Denying Christ in this case means refusing to acknowledge His claim on someone's life.
Those whose lives actually say, “I never knew you,” will hear Christ say at the end, “I never knew you.” The Lord here does not mean a temporary renunciation under pressure, as was the case with Peter, but a renunciation that becomes habitual and final.
D. Not peace, but a sword (10.34-39)
10,34 The words of our Lord are to be understood figuratively, when the visible results of His coming are stated as the obvious purpose of His coming.
He says that He He did not come to bring peace, but a sword. He did not actually come to bring peace (Eph. 2:14-17); He came so that the world could be saved through Him (John 3:17).
10,35-37 But the point here is that whenever individuals become His disciples, their families turn against them. A converted father will be opposed by his unbelieving son; to a Christian mother - her unsaved daughter. A regenerate mother-in-law will be hated by her unregenerate daughter-in-law. Thus, there is always a choice between Christ and family. No natural connection should divert a disciple from absolute devotion to the Lord.
The Savior must take precedence over father, mother, son or daughter.
One of the prices for the right to be a student is to experience strained relationships, quarrels and alienation from family members. This hostility is often more bitter than that encountered in other areas of life.
10,39 Love for Christ must completely subjugate the instinct of self-preservation: "He who saves his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for the sake of Christ will save her." The temptation is to hold on to your life, trying to avoid the pain and loss of a life of total dedication. A life lived for pleasure is a life wasted. The most useful life is the one spent in the service of Christ. Human, who loses his life because he dedicated it to Him, will keep it intact.
D. Bowl of cold water (10.40-42)
10,40 Not everyone will reject the disciples' gospel. Some will recognize them as messengers of the Messiah and will treat them favorably. The disciples will have limited ability to repay such kindness, but they need not worry - anything done for them will be considered done for the Lord Himself and will be rewarded accordingly.
To accept a disciple of Christ is tantamount to accepting Christ Himself, and to accept Christ is the same as to accept the Father, who sent Him, since the sent represents the sender. To receive an ambassador representing the government of the country that commissioned him is to have diplomatic relations with his country.
10,41 Any, who receives the prophet in the name of the prophet, will receive the prophet's reward. A.T. Pierson comments:
"The Jews considered the reward of a prophet to be the highest, because when kings received the kingdom in the name of the Lord and the priests served in the name of the Lord, a prophet from the Lord came and instructed both the king and the priest. Christ says that if you do nothing more, as soon as If you accept the prophet in the name of the prophet, then the same reward that is given to the prophet will be given to you if you help him. Think about this, if you are in the habit of criticizing the preacher, if you help him talk about God and support him, you will receive it! share in his reward; but if because of you it is difficult for him to leave his job, then you will lose your reward. It is a great thing to help a person who wants to do good. You should not pay attention to his clothes, appearance, or appearance. manners and voice, but you have to look above it all and say, “What if this is God’s message to me? Is this man not a prophet of God to my soul?" If so, then accept him, multiply his word and work and receive part of his reward."(Arthur T. Pierson, "The Work of Church for the Believer", The Ministry of Keswick, First Series, p. 114.)
Who accepts the righteous in the name of the righteous, will receive the reward of the righteous. Anyone who judges others by physical attractiveness or material wealth fails to recognize that true moral values often have a very modest appearance. As a person treats a simple disciple, so the Lord Himself will treat him.
10,42 No good deed done to a disciple of Christ will go unnoticed. Even bowl of cold water would be highly appreciated if given to the student because he follows the Lord.
Thus the Lord ends His special commission to the twelve, endowing them with royal dignity. Yes, they will be opposed, rejected, arrested, tortured, imprisoned, or perhaps killed. But let them never forget that they are the representatives of the King, and that it is their glorious privilege to speak and act in His name.
1 And calling His twelve disciples, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2 And these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James Zebedee, and John his brother,
3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, James Alphaeus and Lebbeus, called Thaddeus,
Saint Matthew and the Angel. Artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio 1602
4 Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, neither enter into the city of the Samaritans;
6 But go ye especially unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel;
7 As you go, preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand;
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons; freely you have received, freely give.
9 Do not take with you gold, silver, or copper in your belts,
10 neither a scrip for the journey, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.
11 Whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and remain there until you leave;
12 And when you enter a house, greet it, saying, “Peace to this house.”
13 And if the house is worthy, then your peace will come upon it; if you are not worthy, then your peace will return to you.
14 And if anyone does not receive you and does not listen to your words, then when you leave that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet;
15 Truly I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city.
16 Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves: therefore be ye wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.
Parting words of Jesus Christ to the twelve Apostles. Artist Y. Sh von KAROLSFELD 17 Beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts, and in their synagogues they will beat you,
18 And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony before them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they betray you, do not worry how or what to say; for at that hour it will be given to you what to say,
20 For it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you.
21 But brother will betray brother to death, and father son; and children will rise up against their parents and kill them;
22 And you will be hated by all because of My name; he who endures to the end will be saved.
23 When they persecute you in one city, flee to another. For truly I say to you, before you have gone around the cities of Israel, the Son of Man comes.
24 A student is not above his teacher, and a servant is not above his master:
25 It is sufficient for the disciple that he should be as his teacher, and for the servant that he should be as his master. If the master of the house was called Beelzebub, how much more of his household?
26 So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not be known.
27 What I say to you in the dark, speak in the light; and whatever you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but fear Him more who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
29 Are not two small birds sold for an assar? And not one of them will fall to the ground without the will of your Father;
30 And the hairs of your head are all numbered;
31 Do not be afraid: you are better than many small birds.
32 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father who is in heaven;
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
34 Do not think that I came to bring peace to earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,
35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36 And a man’s enemies are his own household.
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and whoever loves a son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
38 And whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who saves his life will lose it; but he who loses his life for My sake will save it.
40 Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;
41 whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet; and whoever receives the righteous, in the name of the righteous, will receive the reward of the righteous.
42 And whoever gives one of these little ones to drink only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, will not lose his reward.
2. CALLED WORKERS (10:1-4) (MARK 3:13-19; LUK 6:12-16)
Matt. 10:1-4. It is not surprising that Matthew gives a list of those called by Jesus immediately after His command to ask the Heavenly Father to “send out laborers into His harvest” (9:38). The twelve disciples (10:1) were called “apostles.” These Twelve were sent for a special ministry (the very word “apostle” means “one sent with special authority”), and Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease and every disease. They are named here in pairs and, probably, they were sent to work in pairs as well (Mark 6:7 says: “He began to send them out two by two”).
Whenever the twelve apostles are listed, Peter is called first (as a truly outstanding person), and Judas is called last. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter (John 1:42). Soon after two brothers, Peter and Andrew, followed Jesus, two other brothers, James and John, also followed Him (Matt. 4:18-22). Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from Bethsaida, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44).
Nothing is known about Bartholomew, except that he and Nathanael are, perhaps, the same person (John 1:45-51). Thomas was called "the Twin" (John 11:16); it was he who doubted the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:24-27). Matthew also calls himself by the nature of the “low-respectable” activity that he was engaged in before - “publican” (Mark and Luke simply call him by name). James, son of Alpheus, is mentioned only in the “list” of the apostles.
Lebway, called Thaddeus, may have been, like Judas, the brother of James (Acts 1:13). Simon the Canaanite, called a "Zealot" in Luke, apparently belonged to the revolutionary Israeli Zealot party, which set as its goal the overthrow of Roman rule. Finally, Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Christ (Matt. 26:47-50). The word "Iscariot" can mean "from Kariot" (the name of a city in Judea).
3. WORKERS RECEIVE INSTRUCTION (10:5-23)
A. Jesus' First Instruction (10:5-15) (Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)
Matt. 10:5-15. The twelve apostles were sent by Jesus to preach the same message about the kingdom of heaven that John the Baptist (3:1) and Christ Himself preached (4:17), namely, that it was at hand (verse 7). Jesus commanded the apostles to preach only to Jews. And he especially emphasized that they should not go to the pagans and the Samaritans.
The latter were only half Jews and half Gentiles; this people was formed shortly after 722 BC, when Assyria captured the Northern Kingdom and resettled there many inhabitants of Mesopotamia (also captured by it); The Samaritans appeared in Israel as a result of mixed marriages.
The apostles were to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (compare with 5:24), since the “message of the kingdom” concerned primarily this people; it was promised to him by God, who entered into a covenant with him. And if Israel had accepted their King who came to them, then all other nations would have been blessed in him (Gen. 12:3; Is. 60:3).
Like the preaching of the Lord Himself, the preaching of the apostles had to be confirmed in miracles (Matt. 10:8 compare with 9:35). The Twelve should not have taken travel supplies with them, so that people would not have the impression that they were carrying out some kind of business event. Matthew, like Luke, says that they should not even have taken staves with them, but Mark writes that they could have taken staves (Mark 6:8).
Apparently (and this explains the “divergence”), Matthew and Luke reflected the idea that there was no need to take anything extra on the road (Matthew 10:9), but in Mark this idea was conveyed somewhat differently: to take what was always with you. The apostles could use them ("staffs"). The main idea of the Lord was that not only the apostles had to serve the people, but also the people - them. In every city or village they had to find “worthy” people and stay with them. The “worthy ones” could, obviously, be determined by their reaction to the message preached to them.
Those who do not accept the preaching of the apostles and do not invite them to themselves, they should leave without stopping. To shake off the ashes (dust) from one's feet was to reject an inhospitable Jewish home or city as if it belonged to the despicable pagans. It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19) on the day of judgment (implying the last) than for that city, declares the Lord. This warning is introduced by the words “Truly I say to you,” which appear repeatedly in the Gospel of Matthew (10:15,23,42; 5:18 and the interpretation of this verse).
6. Jesus warns the apostles about what awaits them (10:16-23) (Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-17)
Matt. 10:16-23. Jesus' words regarding how the people would respond to the apostles' teaching were not encouraging. A difficult task lay before them, for among men they would be like sheep among wolves. Therefore, the Lord instructed them: be wise as snakes and simple as doves, that is, avoid danger, trying not to harm those who oppose you. (The Greek word akeraioi translated "simple" literally means "pure"; used two more times in the New Testament - Romans 16:19 and Phil. 2:15.)
The apostles fulfilling their assigned ministry will be brought before the spiritual leaders of the Jews and they will be beaten (compare Acts 5:40). And they will be taken to the Roman rulers and to the kings from the Herod dynasty. But they should not worry about how to communicate with these people, because the Holy Spirit Himself, here called the Spirit of your Father, will tell them the right words, He will speak in them and help them get rid of prison bonds.
Even if it came to the betrayal of their loved ones (Matt. 10:21) and the manifestation of extreme hatred towards them (verse 22), they should not lose heart, because, ultimately, they will be delivered.
The apostles had to move from one place to another, fulfilling their ministry, but before they had time to go around the cities of Israel, the Son of Man would come, the Lord assured them.
Probably, the implementation of these words of His lies beyond the boundaries of His earthly life. The process of spreading the Good News, which He meant, began to gain special strength after the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), being inextricably linked with the life of the apostles (for example, Acts 4:1-13; 5:17-18,40; 7: 54-60). But their complete fulfillment, perhaps, should be attributed to the days of the great tribulation, at the end of which - before the Gospel is preached by His servants throughout the world, in particular to all Israel, Jesus Christ will return in His power and glory to establish His Kingdom (Matt. 24:14).
4. WORDS OF CONSOLIATION (10:24-33) (Luke 12:2-9)
Matt. 10:24-33. Jesus reminded the apostles that He did not expect anything from them that He had not experienced. Thus, religious leaders claim that He casts out demons by the power of the prince of demons (9:34). But if they accused Jesus (the Master of the house) that His power was demonic, then, of course, they would say the same about His servants (His household).
Beelzebub is one of the names of Satan, who controls the spiritual forces of evil; it may have come from "Baal-zeb" - the name of the deity of the Philistine city of Ekron (2 Kings 1:2). "Baalzeb" literally means "lord of the midges," and "Beelzebub" literally means "lord of the heights."
The apostles, however, should not have been afraid of the religious leaders, who, if they could kill, only the body, but had no power over the soul (Matt. 10:28). Their true motives will be revealed on the day of judgment (verse 26). Much more important is obedience to God, Who is truly the Master of both the physical and spiritual existence of man!
What the apostles heard from the Lord in private (what I say to you in the dark... and what you hear in your ears), they had to proclaim without fear to all the people (speak in the light... preach on the rooftop), remembering that the Heavenly Father Himself knows , in what circumstances they are, and cares for them. He also knows about the death of every little bird (worth almost nothing; an assarium is a coin that was approximately 1/16th of a Roman denarius - the average daily wage of a worker), and not one of them dies without His will. As for people, God even knows how many hairs each of them has on their heads (verse 30). Do not be afraid, Christ instructed His disciples, for in the eyes of God you are much more valuable than many small birds.
The Heavenly Father instructed them to boldly and faithfully confess Jesus before men (verse 32). And then the Lord also confesses them before His Heavenly Father, but if anyone denies Him before people, He will also deny him before the Heavenly Father. Of the twelve original apostles, only one - Judas Iscariot - fell into the category of "denyers."
5. ADSUREMENT TO THE WORKERS (10:34-39) (Luke 12:51-53; 14:26-27)
Matt. 10:34-39. Jesus said that (this time) He did not come to earth to bring peace: I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. As a result of His coming to earth, some children will turn out to be “opponents” of their parents, and even among a person’s household there will be enemies… of him. This will happen because loved ones will also hate those who follow Christ. And this may be a partial “payment” for the honor of being disciples of the Savior, for family ties should not be stronger than love for the Lord (verse 37; compare the interpretation on Luke 14:26).
A true disciple of Christ must take up his cross and follow Him (compare Matt. 16:24). In other words, he must be prepared not only for hatred from his loved ones, but also for death; like a criminal, he must carry his cross to the place of his execution. In the Roman Empire, it was believed that a criminal carrying the instrument of his own execution (the cross) seemed to tacitly acknowledge that the judges who sentenced him to death were right. Likewise, Jesus’ disciples seemed to have to speak “loudly” about His right to dispose of their lives. By doing this, he who has lost his soul, that is, life, for the sake of Christ will find it again (save it); interpretation at 16:25.
6. REWARD FOR “THE RECEIVERS” (10:40 - 11:1) (MAR 9:41)
Matt. 10:40 - 11:1. Those who serve the Lord faithfully and those who accept these servants will receive a reward from God. Anyone who accepts the prophet and the message he brings will thereby accept Jesus Christ. (Here the apostles are called “prophets” because they received the word of God and passed it on to others - 10:27.) Therefore, even a glass of cold water given to one of these little disciples of Christ will be noted by the One who sees everything and knows everything. The reward will correspond to what you have done.
Having finished His teaching with these words, Jesus departed from there to teach and preach in their cities (11:1) in Galilee. Having received appropriate instructions and authority from the Lord, the twelve also apparently went to perform the ministry assigned to them. The words And when Jesus finished teaching... defines the next turning point in the narrative (compare 7:28; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).
1. And calling His twelve disciples, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal every disease and every disease.
2. And the names of the twelve Apostles are these: first Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James Zebedee, and John his brother,
3. Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, James Alphaeus and Levbeus, called Thaddeus,
4. Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
Regretting the people who do not have good shepherds, and not being able to lead all the people after Him, Christ sends His disciples to them to preach. This message is different from the one that follows after His Resurrection from the dead. Then the Savior will send the apostles into the whole world to preach “ Gospel of all creation "(Mark 16:15) and, teaching all nations to believe in Christ, introducing them into His Kingdom through the sacrament of Baptism. Now the Lord sends them only to “ to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ”, that is, to some Jews. He commands the apostles to preach only “ the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven ”, but not yet lead into this Kingdom. This is a preparatory sermon, for the apostles have not yet clothed themselves. by the power from Above ", given to them subsequently through the descent of the Comforter - the Holy Spirit.
Knowing that the apostles would be required to show signs as evidence of the truth of their preaching, Christ gave them power over unclean spirits and the power to perform miracles of healing and resurrection of the dead.
Blazh. Theophylact of Bulgaria clarifies: “Twelve disciples are elected, according to the number of the twelve tribes (tribes) of Israel. For He sent them to them first, although they were few, since in general there are few who walk the narrow path. He gave them the power to work miracles, so that, surprising them with miracles, they would gain listeners attentive to their teaching. The evangelist counts the names of the apostles for the sake of exposing the false apostles. He does not count them according to their worth, but simply, as he had to.”
5. These twelve Jesus sent and commanded them, saying: Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter the city of the Samaritans;
6. But go especially to the lost sheep of the house of Israel;
7. As you go, preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand;
8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons; freely you have received, freely give.
9. Do not take with you any gold, silver, or copper in your belts,
10. not a bag for the journey, not two clothes, not shoes, not a staff, for the worker is worthy of food.
The Savior sends His disciples to preach the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven, first of all, to the Jews, forbidding them to preach to the pagans and Samaritans. This was due to the fact that the Jews could no longer have any excuse to say that the original sermon was not directed to them, and to cite this fact as their justification. The ban on preaching to pagans and Samaritans was given despite the fact that both pagans and Samaritans were even more ready than the Jews to accept the gospel preaching. Subsequently, after the resurrection of the Lord, this prohibition was lifted.
Blazh. Theophylact of Bulgaria notes: “He puts the Samaritans next to the pagans, since they only lived in Judea, and were Babylonians, and did not accept the prophets, but only the five books of Moses: the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.”
By the lost sheep of the house of Israel we should understand all the Jews, without any differences or exceptions, who did not yet believe in the Messiah-Christ who came to them and did not turn to Him with all their hearts and souls. They were the chosen people of God, to whom the Messiah was promised by the Old Testament prophets and among whom He appeared.
St. John Chrysostom also speaks about this: “Jesus sends the apostles to the stubborn Jews, showing them His care for them, stopping their lips, and paving the way for the apostolic preaching, so that later they would not complain that the apostles went to the uncircumcised, and so that they would not have no plausible reason to run away and turn away from them.”
If the sent apostles began to pronounce in front of everyone only the words “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” which means future bliss, then this would be enough. But if they were asked to explain what this means, they could simply talk about the appearance of an extraordinary Teacher who performed miracles and spoke in a way that none of the scribes and Pharisees spoke. Consequently, their preaching could not in any way exceed their abilities and capabilities; it did not require great scientific knowledge and special preparation. Miracles were supposed to serve as confirmation of the power given to the apostles, but if they were performed for money, this would be a poor confirmation of the power they received.
St. John Chrysostom especially draws attention to the words of the Lord “freely you have received, freely give” and says: “Notice how He (Christ) cares about their morals: no less than about miracles, showing them that miracles without good morality are nothing.” mean He humbles their arrogance and warns against the love of money. And so that they do not think that the miracles they perform are the fruit of their good life, and do not become proud of it, he says: got it for nothing . You give nothing of your own to those who receive you; You received these gifts not as a reward or for your labors: this is My grace. Give to others in the same way, because it is impossible to find a price worthy of these gifts.”
Thomas Aquinas explains that the apostles were sent to the Jews, and “it was the custom of the Jews to take care of their teachers; Therefore, Christ, sending disciples to the Jews, commanded them not to take anything with them. But the pagans did not have such a custom. Therefore, when the disciples were sent to the pagans, they were given permission to take with them everything they needed.” The spirit of non-covetousness commanded by the Savior remains in force for all preachers of the Gospel.
Blazh. Theophylact of Bulgaria adds: “Christ prepares His disciples for the strictest way of life, therefore he forbids them all care for excess and all care, does not allow them to walk even with a staff. This is the height of non-covetousness and a strong urge to believe the teacher of non-covetousness. Then, so that they don’t say: “What are we going to eat?” - speaks: the worker deserves food , that is: you will eat from your disciples: they are obliged to provide it to you, as to those who labor. However, he said, he is worthy of food, that is, food, and not a luxurious table: for teachers should not be satisfied, like well-fed calves, but eat as much as is necessary to maintain life.”
11. Whatever city or village you enter, visit who is worthy in it, and stay there until you leave;
12. And when you enter a house, greet it, saying: “Peace to this house”;
13. And if the house is worthy, then your peace will come upon it; if you are not worthy, then your peace will return to you.
14. And if anyone does not receive you and does not listen to your words, then, when leaving that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet;
15 Truly I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city.
The Savior's command is simple. Those sent by Him had to, upon entering any city, find out in every available way about the people with whom they could stay. These had to be people capable and inclined to accept the gospel of Christ the Savior, people who were hospitable, God-fearing, pious, living an honest life, thirsting for salvation. Such people are not particularly difficult to find even in big cities, and even more so in small and provincial ones, which were then almost all the cities of Palestine. The apostles had to go straight to such people and stay there as long as necessary. Blazh. Jerome says that it was impossible to stay with unkind people, because with their bad reputation they could disgrace the merits of the very preaching of Christ.
St. John Chrysostom notes: “But Christ not only commands to look for those worthy, but also not to move from house to house, so as not to offend the recipient, nor to be reproached for gluttony and frivolity.”
The world in the words of the Savior is, as it were, personified, i.e. seems like a man who enters the owner, but, rejected by him, returns to the messengers. By peace we can generally understand well-being, depending on tranquility, health, the absence of hostility, disputes, disagreements, divisions; In a figurative sense, the word “peace” means salvation.
Shaking off the dust from the feet could have two meanings: 1) that the apostles did not take anything with them from the people who rejected them and were free from any connection with them; 2) the fact that they are free from any participation in the condemnation that will befall those who refuse hospitality. The apostles had to show unbelievers that they considered them unclean and responsible for their uncleanness. Perhaps this command was all the clearer to the apostles because the Jews had a custom, when returning from pagan countries where they traveled, to shake off the dust from their feet.
Those who do not accept the good news of the apostles will be like the pagans, and those cities, all the inhabitants of which reject the preaching of Christ as the positive law of God, will be more criminal than the inhabitants of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, punished by God for their extreme depravity and who led a life contrary to human conscience.
16. Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves: therefore be ye wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.
17. Beware of people, for they will hand you over to the courts and beat you in their synagogues,
18. And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony before them and the Gentiles.
19. When they betray you, do not worry about how or what to say; for at that hour it will be given to you what to say,
20. For it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you.
The Lord warns the apostles about the dangers to which they will have to be exposed: he says that they will feel as defenseless as sheep surrounded by bloodthirsty wolves. " Be wise as snakes “, that is, be careful, do not expose your life to danger unless absolutely necessary, recognize where the word of God should be sowed, and where to refrain from this according to the commandment: “ Don't give sacred things to dogs "; themselves " be as simple as doves “, that is, such that no one can reproach you for anything unclean and reprehensible. Christ does not say: be wise as foxes, whose cunning lies in deceiving others; but like snakes that try to protect themselves and do not cheat for their safety.
The Savior predicts that the apostles will have to testify about Him before the rulers of this world, bearing in mind their future activities in the world, that they will be subjected to many persecutions from unbelievers. One should not worry or indulge in thinking about what and how to say at the trial in such cases, for the Holy Spirit Himself will inspire the necessary words.
The suffering of the apostles for Christ will have to serve as a testimony of Him before all people, before whom the disciples will suffer, it makes no difference, before the Jews, or before the pagan rulers and kings, or before the pagans. When they subject the Savior’s disciples to shame and suffering, these trials will be directed by God to greater success of the gospel preaching.
Hearing the warnings of their Divine Teacher, the apostles, according to St. John Chrysostom “first of all, they recognized the power of His predictions; secondly, no one could any longer think that these disasters were due to the Teacher’s powerlessness; thirdly, those who had to endure these disasters could not be horrified by them as unforeseen and unexpected.
So, - concludes Chrysostom, - let us be ashamed to act contrary to the commandment of Christ and attack our enemies like wolves. As long as we remain sheep, we will conquer, even if countless wolves surround us, but we will overcome them and defeat them. If we are wolves, we will be defeated, because the help of the Shepherd (the Lord Jesus Christ: He shepherds not wolves, but sheep) will withdraw from us; He will leave and move away from you because you will not allow yourself to be revealed to His power. When you show meekness in suffering, then all the victory belongs to Him, but when you attack yourself, you darken the victory.
Despite the power given to the disciples to raise the dead, they had to endure such terrible disasters at the courts, imprisonment, attack from everyone, the general hatred of the entire universe, and be subjected to such disasters, having the power to work miracles. And what was the consolation for them in all these disasters? The power of the Sender. That is why He said first of all: Behold, I am sending you. This is enough for your consolation, this is enough so that you will not be afraid of any of your opponents. How great is the power of Him who spoke thus, exclaims St. John Chrysostom. - How great is the obedience of those who listened! One must be extremely surprised how the apostles, these fearful people, who had never been further than the lake in which they were fishing, heard such speeches, and did not immediately run away.”
21. Brother will betray brother to death, and father son; and children will rise up against their parents and kill them;
22. And you will be hated by everyone because of My name; he who endures to the end will be saved.
23. When they persecute you in one city, flee to another. For truly I say to you, before you have gone around the cities of Israel, the Son of Man comes.
Hatred for the gospel sermon, for its preachers and confessors, will be so strong in the people of this world, called wolves above, that the strongest and most sacred ties of kinship for a person will not withstand it.
All this was definitely fulfilled in the era of persecution of Christians, when brother truly betrayed brother to death, and when all true followers of Christ experienced the fierce and inhuman hatred of the enemies of Christianity. If someone were to say what is beneficial in the teaching of Christ, when it encourages children to rebel against their parents, etc., then the answer can be that without this, the evil that flourishes in the world would be even greater and would remain untouched. Spreading good requires many sacrifices. Hatred towards Christ arises and exists as if for no apparent reason, only because He is Christ. His name alone can arouse hatred in many people. The ideals are too high, the demands made by the Savior on people are too high. It seems that they are impossible to achieve in life and their implementation requires a hard struggle. In this struggle, people are divided into two camps. Everyone from the hostile camp will hate both Christians and the very name of Christ, just as the devil hates him. St. John Chrysostom exclaims: “Oh, this is an evil beast, he never comes to despair. And this, of course, serves to our greatest condemnation, that he (the devil) never despairs of our destruction, but we despair of our salvation.” " Endured to the end ", that is, until death, all these persecutions and not renouncing Christ " will be saved ", that is, he will achieve eternal bliss in the Kingdom of Heaven. “What is important is not the beginning, but the completion,” says the blessed one. Hieronymus of Stridonsky.
The apostles should not recklessly sacrifice their lives, which are needed for the salvation of so many people, and therefore, if they are persecuted in one city, they are not forbidden to flee to another.
“Indeed,” writes St. John Chrysostom, - these twelve defenseless commoners were put in chains, subjected to scourging, taken from place to place - and, however, they could not stop their mouths. Just as it is impossible to bind the rays of the sun, so it was impossible to bind their tongues. And the reason for this is that it was not they themselves who spoke, but the power of the Spirit.”
« You will not have time to go around the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. " Here we are not talking about the second glorious coming of Christ to judgment at the end of the world, but about the coming of Jesus Christ in His Kingdom, that is, the opening of this Kingdom, which was accomplished by His Resurrection and the sending of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, after which they went into the whole world with preaching about the opening of this Kingdom.
Consequently, this saying of the Lord has the following meaning: “You will not have time to go around all of Palestine preaching about the approach of My Kingdom before the hour of the opening of My Kingdom through My suffering, the Resurrection from the dead and the sending of the Holy Spirit has already arrived.”
24. A student is not higher than a teacher, and a servant is not higher than his master:
25. It is enough for a disciple that he should be like his teacher, and for a servant that he should be like his master. If the master of the house was called Beelzebub, how much more of his household?
The Lord tells His disciples that He is and will not be treated as He should be. The Savior portrays Himself before them as a sufferer. This should serve as a consolation for the apostles in their suffering. Why? Because this is the usual order of things, although not normal. If the master is persecuted, then at that time his servants are also persecuted; if the teacher is not respected, then his students are not respected either. If it were otherwise, then students would be higher than their teachers, and slaves – their masters. This verse is well explained by Theophylact of Bulgaria, who says: “But you ask: how is a student not higher than a teacher, when we see that many students are better than their teachers? Know then that while they are students, they are less than teachers; but when they become better than them, they are no longer disciples, just as a slave, while he remains a slave, cannot be higher than his master.”
A student can, of course, surpass his teacher and a slave his master. But this is not always the case; Usually it is quite enough if a slave or student achieves to be like their masters and teachers. This is especially important when we are talking about such a Teacher as Christ. The disciples cannot compare with Him at all. It would be completely enough for them if they were at least a little like their Teacher, that is, they imitated His suffering a little.
The word “Beelzebub” means the most evil and most important demon, who was the instigator of idolatry and encouraged it. What could they expect? his family "with such treatment? With the word “household,” the Savior expresses His special closeness to the disciples (Chrysostom).
26. Therefore, do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not be known.
27. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and whatever you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
28. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but fear more than that, who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
29. Are not two small birds sold for an assarium? And not one of them will fall to the ground without the will of your Father;
30. And the hairs of your head are all numbered;
31. Do not be afraid: you are better than many small birds.
« So, - Christ says to His disciples, do not be afraid“when they slander you, for your faith and innocence will be revealed and clarified over time. St. John Chrysostom explains: “The Savior’s speech has the following meaning: it is enough for your consolation that I, your Teacher and Lord, am subject to the same reproach as you. If, hearing this, you still do not cease to be embarrassed, then keep in mind that after a little time you will get rid of shameful criticism. And what are you grieving about? Is it about being called deceivers and flatterers? But wait a little, and everyone will call you the saviors and benefactors of the universe. Time reveals everything hidden; it will expose the slander of your enemies, and will reveal your virtue.”
The Savior teaches His disciples to speak openly what they heard from Him in front of all the people. This is how St. explains it. John Chrysostom: “Of course, there was no darkness when Christ talked with the disciples, and He did not speak into their ears; here only an enhanced turn of phrase is used. Since He talked with them alone and in a small corner of Palestine, He said - in the dark And in your ear, wanting to contrast the image of such a conversation with the boldness in preaching that they will receive as a gift from Him. Preach not to one, not to two or three cities, but to the whole universe, He says, and while passing through the land, the sea, inhabited and uninhabited places, with an open face and with all courage, speak everything to the kings and peoples, the philosophers and teachers of these peoples. He will accomplish everything through them, and will accomplish more than He did Himself. “I, He says, made the beginning and through you I want to accomplish much more.”
The Savior commands His disciples to fear God more than people; trust in Him more than in people. “Christ convinces them,” writes Chrysostom, “to despise that which is most terrible—death itself, and not just death, but violent death. Are you afraid of death, says the Lord, and therefore you do not dare to preach? But that is why it is necessary to preach. This will save you from true death. Although they will kill you, they will not destroy what is best in you, even if they tried very hard to do so. So, if you are afraid of torment, then be afraid of much more terrible torment. Do you see that He again does not promise them deliverance from death, but by allowing them to die, He grants greater benefit than if He had not allowed them to suffer in this way?
“And truly,” Chrysostom continues, “to make one despise death is much more important than to free one from death. So, He does not plunge them into danger, but raises them above danger, and in brief words affirms in them the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. And so that when they are killed, they do not think that they are enduring everything because they were abandoned by God, he tells them about God’s providence.”
Blazh. Theophylact of Bulgaria draws attention to the word “ Gehenna", meaning eternity of punishment.
Without the will of God, nothing happens, since God’s providence extends to everything. As an example, Christ cites small, insignificant birds, and two of them, to further demonstrate their low value. The example is probably based on the familiar custom of selling birds at the market. At that time, a copper coin called the Assarii was in circulation in Palestine, the value of which was equal to 0.1 denarii. This was the price they asked for two birds.
According to St. John Chrysostom, the Savior says, “that nothing happens that God does not know. If He knows everything, and loves you more than your father, loves you so much that your hair is numbered by Him, then you should not be afraid. However, he said this not because God was counting the hairs, but to show the perfection of God’s knowledge and great care for them. God can destroy both soul and body, but people not only cannot destroy souls, but also bodies; although they subject the body to countless executions, they only make it more glorious through this.”
« You are better than many small birds“says the Lord, addressing His apostles. The meaning is that even if you were a little better than little birds, then even then your Heavenly Father would have great care for you. It is therefore greater, the more the price of the disciples exceeds the price of the little birds.
32. Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father who is in heaven;
33. But whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Here the word “confess” regarding Jesus Christ means to acknowledge Him as the Messiah and His teaching as Divine. Such recognition can be expressed not only in words, but also in deeds. Speaking about persecution for His name, the Savior here indicates what consequences they may have. They will force many, through fear or worldly attachments, to renounce Him. Providing for this, He talks about what the consequences will be after such a renunciation.
St. John Chrysostom notes that Christ, speaking of those who confess Him before people, “confesses not by his own strength, but by being strengthened by Grace from above.” And the one who rejects, Chrysostom continues, “is rejected because he is alien to grace. Why is He (Christ) not content with only faith in the soul, but also requires oral confession? In order to encourage us to boldness, to greater love and zeal, and to elevate us, that is why he speaks to everyone in general, and does not mean here only the disciples; He tries not only to make them, but also their disciples, courageous.”
34. Do not think that I came to bring peace to earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,
35. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36. And a man’s enemies are his own household.
St. John Chrysostom asks: “How did He Himself command His disciples, so that when they entered every house, they would greet everyone with peace? Why, in the same way, did the angels at the Nativity of the Savior sing: Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth? Why did all the prophets preach the same thing? Because especially then peace is established when what is infected with disease is cut off, when what is hostile is separated. Only in this way is it possible for heaven to unite with earth. After all, the doctor then saves other parts of the body when he cuts off an incurable organ from them; Likewise, the military leader restores calm when he destroys the agreement between the conspirators. Unanimity is not always good: even robbers sometimes agree with each other. So, the internecine struggle was not a consequence of Christ’s determination, but a matter of the will of the people themselves. Christ Himself wanted everyone to be of the same mind in the matter of piety; but as people were divided among themselves, a struggle took place. So, He says, do not be disturbed by the fact that there will be wars and evil plots on earth. When the worst is cut off, then heaven will be united with the best. This is what Christ says in order to strengthen the disciples against the bad opinion of them among the people. Moreover, he did not say: confrontation, but what is much worse - sword. He wanted to accustom their ears to cruel words so that they would not hesitate in difficult circumstances. Not only, he says, friends and fellow citizens, but also the closest relatives themselves will rebel against each other, and discord will occur between half-blooded people. This especially proves the power of Christ that the disciples, hearing such words, accepted them themselves and convinced others. And although it was not Christ who caused this, but human malice, he nevertheless says that He Himself does this. This mode of expression is characteristic of Scripture. So the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel say: God gave them eyes so that they could not see. Death is not evil, but bad death is evil. Saying that a man's enemies are his household, He showed the strength and fervor of the love that he demanded. Since He Himself loved us a lot, He wants us to love Him just as much. Since He came to bestow great benefits, He demands great obedience and diligence.”
Blazh. Theophylact of Bulgaria notes: “The sword means the word of faith, which cuts us off from the way of life of our family and relatives when they interfere with us in the work of worship of God. He says here that we need to move away, or separate from them for a special reason, when they do not lead us to faith and even hinder our faith.”
37. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and whoever loves a son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
38. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
39. He who saves his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will save it.
To serve Christ one must sacrifice all earthly attachments, even family love. When immediate relatives do not agree with the commandments of Christ, when love for them would require the violation of these commandments, then one should sacrifice this love for loved ones for the sake of love for the Lord.
The image of carrying the cross was taken by the Savior from the Roman custom, according to which those condemned to crucifixion themselves had to carry their cross to the place of execution. This means that we, having become disciples of Christ, must endure in His Name all kinds of trials and sufferings, even the most difficult and humiliating ones, if God pleases to send them to us, right up to the most terrible death.
Whoever prefers the blessings of earthly life to the blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven, who even goes to the extent of renouncing Christ just to save his earthly life, will destroy his soul for eternal life; and whoever sacrifices everything for the sake of Christ, even his very life, will save his soul for eternal life.
40. Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;
41. whoever receives a prophet, in the name of the prophet, will receive the prophet's reward; and whoever receives the righteous, in the name of the righteous, will receive the reward of the righteous.
42. And whoever gives one of these little ones to drink only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, will not lose his reward.
Instructing and comforting the apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ also mentioned the reward that awaits all who accept them in His Name. Whoever accepts the apostles as prophets or as righteous people will receive the reward that awaits a prophet or a righteous person; whoever gives water to the thirsty disciples of Christ, even a cup of cold water, will not be left without a reward. The reward here means, of course, that which is given from God - not material, but spiritual. Since the disciples of Christ, whom He sent to preach, were still like children in their spiritual development, the Savior calls them “ small ones ».
