Mattityahu 10:13

13 And if indeed the bais is a bais chayil (a house of worthiness), let your shalom come upon it; but if it is not a bais chayil, let your shalom return to you.

Mattityahu 10:13 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 10:13

And if the house be worthy
If the family, and particularly the master of it, appeared to be civil, courteous, friendly, and hospitable, upon such a salutation, and ready to receive and embrace them, and provide for them,

let your peace come upon it,
or it shall come upon it;
the imperative for the future, which is not unusual; and so read the Syriac and Vulgate Latin. The sense is, the peace the apostles wished for, in their form of salutation, should come, and abide on the family; for not the Gospel of peace, and the preaching of it, are here meant, but the salutation itself, or the things desired in it, which should be granted, and the house be blessed for their sake, and as a reward of their generosity, and hospitality:

but if it be not worthy:
does not prove to be what it was said to be, and they expected; namely, to be generous, liberal, and beneficent; but, on the contrary, uncivil and churlish, should neglect their salutation, discover an unwillingness to receive them, and turn their backs upon them:

let your peace return to you,
or "it shall return to you"; the happiness wished for shall not come upon them, and the prayers and good wishes of the apostles shall be void, and of none effect, with respect to that family, but should be made good to themselves; and they should be directed to another house, where they should find persons more generous and free to entertain them.

Mattityahu 10:13 In-Context

11 And into whichever town or shtetl you enter, inquire who in it is a ben chayil (son of worthiness), and there remain until you leave.

12 And when you enter into the bais (house), give that household your “Shalom!”

13 And if indeed the bais is a bais chayil (a house of worthiness), let your shalom come upon it; but if it is not a bais chayil, let your shalom return to you.

14 And whoever neither receives you nor listens to your divrei [Moshiach], as you are leaving and as you go outside of that bais (house) or city, then let it be NIER CHATZNO (shake out the fold of the robe, i.e., wash ones hands of), shake off the dust of your feet.

15 Omein, I say to you, it will be more tolerable on Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment) for Sdom and Amora than for that shtetl.