December 3, 2023
Matthew 10:11–42

Title: Now Hiring, pt 2

Outline:

1. What the disciples were to do.
2. What the opposition will do.
3. Jesus’ purpose on earth.
4. The rewards for service.

• Follow along with me in the text as we briefly review the a few of the verses covered last week.
• In verse 10:1 we read, “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.”
• We read in 10:5-6, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." >>
• Remember to the Jew first and then to the Gentile.
• 10:7, “And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
• 10:8b-10, “You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.” >>
• This may have been due to the close proximity of the audience and the nature of the audience as well.
• We pick up this morning in verse 11 with more instructions of this part 2.

What the Disciples were to do (10:11–15)

11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.

• They were supposed to find a worthy person: interpretation:
• #1 The potential host’s reputation was in view. If they stayed with a person of ill repute, this would through shade on the disciples ministry right from the start.³ >> (Barclay)
• This does not mean that they were to avoid such ones but only that they should not stay with such ones. >>
• #2 We should consider another view as well based on the use of the word translated “worthy” in v. 11. This occurrence in v. 11 is the same word translated “deserves” in v. 10 and “worthy” in v. 13. So in light of v. 14, the term most likely refers to the willingness of hospitality of the welcoming hosts, not an evaluation of their walks of faith to God.>> (Blomberg, Matthew, 173)
• They are worthy for they extended hospitality to you is the view. >>
• I lean towards this view, due to the conditional “if” of verse 13. “If” the house is not worthy …
• Nevertheless, the disciples were instructed to stay with such ones for the duration of their ministry in that immediate area. This was most likely “to avoid accusations of favoritism or the jealousies of competition among potential hosts.” >> (Blomberg, Matthew, 173; cf. Plumptre)
• This stationary instruction would also combat the otherwise “impression” that they courted people for the sake of material things, and that their movements were dictated by comfort. (Barclay; Reworded into the plural.)

12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

• A Shalom greeting—peace greeting—was customary.
• “In the east a spoken word was thought to have a kind of active and independent existence.” Barclay said, “To this day in the east, if a man speaks his blessing to a passer-by, and then discovers that the passer-by is of another faith, he will come and take his blessing back again. The idea here is that the messengers of the King can send their blessing to rest upon a house, and, if the house is unworthy of it, can, as it were, recall it.”
• “The doubt implied in the “if” [v.13a] seems at first somewhat inconsistent with the supposition that they only went into the house after having ascertained the worthiness of the occupant. It must be remembered, however, that the missionaries entered each city or village as strangers, and that in such a case even the most careful inquiry might not always be successful.” (Plumptre)

APPLICATION

• As I said last week, “Itinerant philosophers and teachers typically expected board, room, and a fee from their hearers.”[894, France, The Gospel …, p. 384] Regarding what the disciples were to expect here: "As a general principle, those who minister spiritual things have a right to expect their [physical needs met] in return …"²

14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

• A pious Jew “shaking the dust off one’s feet was a ritual of renunciation used by Jews when they returned to Israel from Gentile territories …” (Blomberg, Matthew, 173; cf. Plumptre, Barclay, et al.)
• “Treating an entire “home” (vv. 11-13) or “town” (vv. 14-15) on the basis of the actions of one person within it reflects the corporate solidarity common in much of antiquity and in many parts of world today …” (Blomberg, Matthew, 173)
• Ultimately, the disciples were to leave behind those who rejected the message of the kingdom. (Harrington, 143)

Jesus exacts a strict penalty for those that rejected the message of the kingdom: verse 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

• These infamous cities stood out in biblical history. Yest Jesus said their punishment would be “more bearable.”
• To whom much is given much is required. Jesus was famous in the entire area. >>
• People were responsible for what they saw themselves and the first-hand testimony of others.
• Justice may be directly related to access to truth.
• The same comparison reappears with the addition of Tyre and Sidon in Matthew 11:21." (Plumptre)
• Barclay noted, “It is interesting and relevant to note that just before their destruction Sodom and Gomorrah had been guilty of a grave and vicious breach of the laws of hospitality (Genesis 19:1-11).”
• This verse teaches that there is bad news and even worse news in the judgment of unbelievers.
• Degrees of later judgment are replete in the Scriptures; this is a clear example.

APPLICATION

• Verse 14 “recalls the timeless principle that one should not remain ministering indefinitely to a hostile audience.” (Blomberg, Matthew, 172)
• I continue to work with people trying to straighten out their American view of God when it comes to God’s justice. >>
• People often get depressed when they read Revelation and other parts of the Bible related to God’s judgement. COMMENT

TRANSITION: What the Disciples were to do >> What the opposition will do

What the opposition will do (10:16–25)

There is much instruction on the disciples service in the kingdom here, but there “is also quite a bit of emphasis on persecution.” (Constable) Verse 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

• Jesus used a—now familiar—powerful illustration to describe the disciples doing their ministry in the world—You’re potentially food—dog food!
• Jesus sent them out into dangerous, life–threatening conditions.
• Because of this they needed to adapt their behavior: First they were to become snake–like.
• But the outcome of their stealthy, wise behavior should be one of causing no harm as well.
• They were also to have traits of a dove.
• “Doves are peaceful …; they leave when other birds challenge or oppose them rather than fighting. This is how the disciples were to behave.” (Constable)
• Constable summarized it best, “Innocence without prudence becomes naiveté.”
• In summary, the disciples were to be watchful of people looking to do them harm while endeavoring to fulfill their ministry and being innocent towards all. (Constable)

Jesus described the wolves: verse 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.

• “Opposition would come from [those in authority, mostly from] the Jews. The courts in view could be either civil or religious. … The scourging in view would normally be the result of judicial action, not mob violence.” [898]¹ (Constable)
• The second part of the verse has caused some debate “since there is no indication that the disciples appeared before governors and kings during the mission that followed. The solution seems to be … that Jesus was probably … looking beyond the immediate mission of the Twelve to what His disciples would experience after His death, resurrection, and ascension.”[899,Hagner, Matthew 1—13, p. 262] (Constable)
• In other words, what Jesus taught to the twelve here applies to Jesus’ disciples throughout the ages.
• Remember this point. I am going to use it again soon.
• At the forthcoming trials, Jesus gave instructions about the equipping they would receive from God. Verse 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
• This was a commitment: you will have your defense within the hour of the trial.
• They would not only face enemies from outside forces but also from the most intimate relationships. Verse 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
• Salvation: what kind of salvation are we talking about?
• This doesn’t mean that a person looses their salvation if they don’t endure. >>
• We remember that Peter would deny Jesus thrice.
• Those that pay the ultimate price and suffer well will receive the ultimate reward.
• They were not to fall away from the truth even after facing death from the testimonies of their families.
• We see this in quote “honor killings” today in middle-eastern cultures. A child trusts Jesus and the father or the eldest brother has the job of killing the family’s Christian.

23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

• Let’s deal with the easy part first. Part one, “flee from persecution.” Don’t wait around to be killed off. Leave your communities and families if necessary to save your life and stay as witness to the Messianic Kingdom.
• Now the harder part. Again in 23b, "I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
  • This is a harder passage to interpret.
  • Many hold a view I cannot square with.
  • An example is from Constable, who wrote: quote, “If Israel had accepted Jesus, these 12 disciples probably would have become Israel’s leaders in the messianic kingdom. As it turned out, they became leaders of the church (cf. Acts 1).” (Constable)
  • McNeile agreed, quote, “If the Jewish nation could be brought to repentance, the new age would dawn; see Ac. iii. 19f., Jo. iv. 22.”[891, McNeile, p. 134]
  • Did God not know that Israel’s leaders would reject her Messiah?
  • With my question, one can surely deduce that I think this is a bad view.
  • I see this passage having a spiritual interpretation.
  • Turn to Romans 9:6-8, But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
  • So, spiritually speaking, all the towns of Israel are where Israelites live, in every city of every tribe and tongue in the world.
  • That is my view. Some future disciples would “dragged before governors and kings.” The towns of Israel are where the spiritual Israels live. They are from every tribe and tongue. These villages are in the whole of the earth.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

• Jesus is both Teacher and Master of course.
• 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.
• To the disciples, Jesus said in essence, “It is enough to be like me.”
• Aren’t you glad we don’t have to surpass Jesus in any way? I know I am.
• The disciples’ mistreatment is guaranteed: Verse 25b, If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
• In other words, as you strive to be like me, the world is going to treat you worst!

APPLICATION

• Our theology reminds us that, we can be like Jesus for we are empowered by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, we have the most powerful Mediator in Christ, and we have the perfect Father in heaven.
• We should be striving to be discipled by Jesus. To be like Him.
• We should expect to be mistreated.
• I had a friend who would say, “If you are not facing persecution, you are not doing it right.” “It” being living the Christian life.
• Paul would agree, He wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Notes

^{Notes from above may not be in numerical order above.}

¹ Douglas R. A. Hare, The Theme of Jewish Persecution of Christians in the Gospel According to St. Matthew, p. 104. Cited by Constable.

² … “(Deut. 25:4; 1 Cor. 9:4-18; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).”

Works Cited

Scripture quotations [unless otherwise noted] are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Click here to access the works cited web-page for this document, save those marked as “Notes” or “Other Works Cited”–if any. Most of these cited works correspond to the verses they are outlined with. In the case of general background information and references, one will find cited material with the Bible books the citations are associated with. ¶ Furthermore, there may be numbered notes that are URL linked; these are usually retained numbered notes from Thomas Constable’s, “Dr. Constable’s Expository (Bible Study) Notes.” These links are preserved “as is” at the time of this work’s formation and I usually include other citation information from Constable as well (e.g. authors’ names).

Other Works Cited

Note: All of the resources below were cited in at least one of the sermons in the Book of Matthew but not necessarily this one.

Augsburger, David. Dissident Discipleship. Brazos Press, 2006.

Barclay, William. Barclay’s Daily Study Bible. Westminster Press, 1955-1960. Sourced digitally from studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb.html.

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. New American Commentary, vol. 22, ed. David S. Dockery, et al., Broadman Press, 1992. May be sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/matthew0000blom

________. Preaching the Parables: From Responsible Interpretation to Powerful Proclamation. Baker Academic, 2004. Sourced from archive.org.
(https://archive.org/details/preachingparable0000blom/page/82/mode/1up)

Bruce, Alexander Balmain. The Training of the Twelve. Ed., A.C. Armstrong and Son, reprint 1984, Kregel Publications, 1971 edition.

Carson, D. A. “Matthew.” The Expositors Bible Commentary, Frank E. Gaebelein, Ed. et al., Zondervan, 1984.

_______. The Sermon on the Mount : an Evangelical of Matthew 5-7 Exposition. 1978, Baker Book House, fifth printing, 1989. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/sermononmounteva0000cars/page/54/mode/1up

_______. When Jesus confronts the world : an exposition of Matthew 8-10. Originally published by Inter-Varsity Press in 1988, Paternoster, 1995. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/whenjesusconfron0000cars/page/n3/mode/1up

Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest. Our Daily Bread Publishing, web ver.

Davies, W. D. and Dale C. Allison, Jr. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to Saint Matthew. T. & T. Clark, 1988. Was sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/criticalexegetic0001davi/page/n7/mode/1up. Unavailable on Nov. 14, 2023.

Evans, Craig A. The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Matthew-Luke. Victor, 2003. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/bibleknowledgeba00crai/mode/1up

France, R. T. The Gospel According to Matthew. W. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1985.

_______. The Gospel of Matthew. W. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2007. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/gospelofmatthew0000fran/page/n6/mode/1up

Harrington, Daniel J . The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina Series, vol. 1, A Michael Glazier Book, Liturgical Press (publ.), 1991. Sourced from archive.org.
https://archive.org/details/gospelofmatthew0000harr/mode/1up

Hendriksen, William. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. Baker Book House, 1984.

Phillips, John. Exploring the Gospels: John. Loizeaux Brothers, 1988.

Plumptre, E. H. “Matthew.” Commentary for English Readers, Charles John Ellicott, Compiler/Editor, Lord Bishop of Gloucester Cassell and Company, Limited, 1905. Sourced from BiblePortal.com. Click here for a list of the authors of the CER.

Robinson, Monte. The Way of Discipleship. Independently published, 2021. Web, aimdiscipleship.org/book.html, accessed Oct 2023.

Wiersbe, Warren. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. 2 Volumes, David C. Cook, 2007.

Yancey, Philip. The Jesus I Never Knew. Zondervan, 1995.

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