Matthew 10:1-15 - The Twelve Commissioned And Sent Out

¹ Jesus then called His twelve apostles [see next verse] to Him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal all kinds of diseases and illnesses. ² Now the names of the twelve apostles were: First, Simon, also called Peter, Andrew, his brother, James and John, sons of Zebedee, ³ Philip, Bartholomew [i.e., the same as Nathaniel. See John 1:45], Thomas [i.e., the same as Didymus. See John 11:16], Matthew, the tax collector [i.e., the same as Levi. See Mark 2:14], James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus [i.e., the same as Judas, son of James. See Luke 6:16], ⁴ Simon, the Cananean [i.e., the same as the Zealot. See Luke 6:15], and Judas Iscariot, who also [besides being an apostle] was His betrayer.

⁵ Jesus sent these twelve apostles out and ordered them saying, "Do not go on any road leading to Gentile territory or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ But [rather] go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. ⁷ And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' ⁸ Heal sick people, raise people from the dead, restore health to those with infectious skin diseases, and drive out evil spirits. You have received [blessings] freely, [now] give them out freely. ⁹ Do not take [any] gold, silver or copper [coinage] in your money belts, ¹⁰ or a traveling bag [for personal belongings], or a change of jackets or shoes, or [even] a walking stick [Note: By comparing this and the restriction in Matt. 10:10 with the permission given in Mark 6:8, the harmony seems to be "if you do not already have a walking stick, do not get one"]. For the worker deserves having his food provided.

¹¹ Then inquire around for a trustworthy family in every town or village you enter, and stay there [with them] until it is time to move on. ¹² When you enter a [particular] house, greet the people warmly [Note: The usual Jewish greeting was to say "Peace to you," See Luke 10:4]. ¹³ And if the people seem trustworthy, express your wish for blessings to rest upon them. But if they prove to be untrustworthy, may those blessings remain on you [instead]. ¹⁴ And whoever does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, shake the dust off of your shoes as you leave that house or town. [Note: This was a Jewish custom showing disdain and intended to suggest unworthiness] ¹⁵ It is true when I say to you, the districts around Sodom and Gomorrah [i.e., despite their gross sins] will be shown more leniency than that town on the day of judgment.

⁷ Then Jesus called to Him the twelve apostles and sent them out two by two. He gave them authority over evil spirits ⁸ and ordered them not to take anything with them during their travels, except a walking stick. They were to take no food, no traveling bag [for personal belongings], and no money in their money belts, ⁹ but were to wear sandals and take only one coat. ¹⁰ And He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. ¹¹ And the people from whatever place that does not welcome you or listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off from under your shoes as evidence against them." [Note: This was a Jewish custom showing disdain and intended to suggest their unworthiness].

¹² Then they went out and preached that people should repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives]. ¹³ And they drove out many evil spirits and applied [olive] oil to [the heads of] many sick people and healed them.

¹ Jesus then called the twelve apostles together and gave them power and authority over all evil spirits and [the ability] to heal diseases. ² And He sent them out to preach the [coming] kingdom of God and to heal sick people.

³ He said to them, "Do not take anything with you during your travels; not [even] a walking stick [Note: By comparing this and the restriction in Matt. 10:10, with the permission given in Mark 6:8, the harmony seems to be "if you do not already have a walking stick, do not get one"], or a traveling bag [for personal belongings], or food, or money, or [even] two coats [Note: Mark 6:9 says, "take only one coat" confirming the idea that Jesus was saying, in effect, "do not take anything extra, go just as you are"]. ⁴ And whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that place. ⁵ And those people who do not welcome you, shake the dust off of your shoes as evidence against them." [Note: This was a Jewish custom showing disdain, and intended to suggest their unworthiness] ⁶ So, they left and went throughout the villages preaching the good news and healing people everywhere.