Mattityahu 10

1 0 And summoning his Shneym Asar (Twelve) Talmidim, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach gave to them samchut (authority) over shedim (unclean spirits), so as to cast them out, and samchut (authority) to call forth refuah for every machla and every illness.

2 Now of the Shneym Asar Shlichim, the names are these: first, Shimon, the one being called Kefa, and Andrew his brother, Yaakov Ben Zavdai and Yochanan his brother,

3 Philippos and Bar-Talmai, Toma and Mattityahu the moches, Yaakov Bar-Chalfai and Taddai,

4 Shimon the Zealot and Yehudah from Kriot, who betrayed Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

5 These Shneym Asar (Twelve) did Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach send out with the following directives, saying: In the Derech HaGoyim (Way of the Gentiles, Gentile territory) do not go, and do not enter into any Shomron town,

6 but go rather to the Seh Oveid Beis Yisroel (the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel).

7 And, while going, preach that the Malchut HaShomayim is imminent and miyad.

8 Heal the cholim, raise the mesim, cleanse the metzoraim (lepers), cast out the shedim; freely you received, freely give.

9 Take neither gold nor silver nor copper for your money belts,

10 nor a schnorrer’s (beggar’s) bag for the road, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff, for the oseh hamelachah (the one doing the work) is worthy of his lechem.

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.

16 Hinei! I send you as kevesim (sheep) in the midst of ze’evim; therefore, have the seichel (intelligence) of nachashim (serpents) and be tamim (faultless) as yonim (doves).

17 And beware of Bnei Adam, for they will deliver you up to the sanhedriyot (local councils, bet din courts) and in their shuls they will subject you to the shot (whip).

18 And before moshelim (governors) and also melachim (kings) you will be led for my sake [for the sake of Moshiach], for an edut (testimony) to them and to the Goyim.

19 But when they deliver you up, do not be of a LEV ROGEZ (anxious heart, DEVARIM 28:65) worried about how or what you are to say; for it will be given to you in that hour what you are to speak.

20 For you are not the ones speaking, but the Ruach Avichem (the Spirit of your Father) is the one speaking in you.

21 And brother will deliver up to death his own brother, even an abba his own yeled. And yeladim will stand up against their horim (parents) and put them to death.

22 And you will be under the sinas chinom (baseless hatred) of kol Bnei Adam on account of my Name; but the one enduring ad es HaKetz (until the End) will receive the Yeshuat Eloheinu (the Salvation of our G-d).

23 But when they persecute you in one shtetl, flee to the other; for, omein, I say to you, by no means will you complete the shtetlach of Eretz Yisroel until the Bias HaMoshiach (Coming of the Moshiach, the Ben HaAdam, DANIEL 7:13).

24 A talmid is not above his Rebbe nor an eved (servant) above his Baal Bayit (master).

25 It is enough for the talmid that he be like his Rebbe, and the eved like his Baal Bayit. If they called the Baal Bayit Baal-zibbul, how much more the anashim (men) in his bais.

26 Therefore, do not fear them; for nothing has been veiled which will not be unveiled; and nothing has been nistar (hidden) which will not be made known.

27 What I say to you in the choshech (darkness), you declare in the ohr (light); and what you hear whispered into your ears, shout, preach, from the rooftops.

28 And do not fear those who kill the basar (flesh), but are unable to kill the nefesh (soul); but rather fear the One who is able to destroy both basar and nefesh in Gehinnom.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for the least valuable copper coin? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from Avichem!

30 But, as far as you are concerned, even the hairs of your rosh have been inventoried.

31 Therefore, al taarotz (do not be afraid)! You are of more value than many sparrows!

32 Therefore, everyone who shall declare publicly the Ani Maamin hoda’ah of me [as Moshiach], before Bnei HaAdam, I will make hoda’ah (acknowledgment) of him before Avi shbaShomayim.

33 But everyone who makes hakhchashah (denial) of me [as Moshiach], I also will make hakhchashah (denial) of him before Avi shbaShomayim.

34 Do not think that I have come to bring shalom al haaretz (peace on the earth); I have not come to bring shalom but a cherev (sword).

35 For I came to divide a man against his Av, and a bat against her Em, and a kallah (bride) against her chamot (mother-in-law, shviger).

36 And the OIYVEI ISH ANSHEI VEITO (the enemies of a man will be the members of his own household, MICHOH 7:6).

37 The one who has more ahavah (love) for a tata (papa) or a mama than for me [Moshiach] is not worthy of me [Moshiach], and the one who has more ahavah (love) for a ben or a bat than me is not worthy of me.

38 The one who does not take up his etz shel hakarav atzmo (tree of selfsacrifice) and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

39 The one who has found his nefesh will lose it; the one who has lost his nefesh for my sake [lemaan Moshiach] will find it.

40 The one who gives the kabbalat panim (welcome) to you gives the Baruch Habah (welcome) to me [to Moshiach], and the one who gives the Baruch Habah to me [Moshiach] gives the Baruch Habah to the One [Elohim HaAv] who sent me.

41 The one who gives the Baruch Habah to a navi (prophet) in the name of a navi will receive the sachar (reward) of a navi, and the one who gives the Baruch Habah to a tzaddik (righteous man) in the name of a tzaddik will receive the sachar of a tzaddik.

42 And whoever in the name of a talmid [of Moshiach] gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones [the least of the talmidim of Moshiach], omein, I say to you, he will by no means lose his sachar.

Mattityahu 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

The apostles called. (1-4) The apostles instructed and sent forth. (5-15) Directions to the apostles. (16-42)

Verses 1-4 The word "apostle" signifies messenger; they were Christ's messengers, sent forth to proclaim his kingdom. Christ gave them power to heal all manner of sickness. In the grace of the gospel there is a slave for every sore, a remedy for every malady. There is no spiritual disease, but there is power in Christ for the cure of it. There names are recorded, and it is their honour; yet they had more reason to rejoice that their names were written in heaven, while the high and mighty names of the great ones of the earth are buried in the dust.

Verses 5-15 The Gentiles must not have the gospel brought them, till the Jews have refused it. This restraint on the apostles was only in their first mission. Wherever they went they must proclaim, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. They preached, to establish the faith; the kingdom, to animate the hope; of heaven, to inspire the love of heavenly things, and the contempt of earthly; which is at hand, that men may prepare for it without delay. Christ gave power to work miracles for the confirming of their doctrine. This is not necessary now that the kingdom of God is come. It showed that the intent of the doctrine they preached, was to heal sick souls, and to raise those that were dead in sin. In proclaiming the gospel of free grace for the healing and saving of men's souls, we must above all avoid the appearance of the spirit of an hireling. They are directed what to do in strange towns and cities. The servant of Christ is the ambassador of peace to whatever place he is sent. His message is even to the vilest sinners, yet it behoves him to find out the best persons in every place. It becomes us to pray heartily for all, and to conduct ourselves courteously to all. They are directed how to act as to those that refused them. The whole counsel of God must be declared, and those who will not attend to the gracious message, must be shown that their state is dangerous. This should be seriously laid to heart by all that hear the gospel, lest their privileges only serve to increase their condemnation.

Verses 16-42 Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand measures. Christ foretold troubles, not only that the troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith. He tells them what they should suffer, and from whom. Thus Christ has dealt fairly and faithfully with us, in telling us the worst we can meet with in his service; and he would have us deal so with ourselves, in sitting down and counting the cost. Persecutors are worse than beasts, in that they prey upon those of their own kind. The strongest bonds of love and duty, have often been broken through from enmity against Christ. Sufferings from friends and relations are very grievous; nothing cuts more. It appears plainly, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution; and we must expect to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations. With these predictions of trouble, are counsels and comforts for a time of trial. The disciples of Christ are hated and persecuted as serpents, and their ruin is sought, and they need the serpent's wisdom. Be ye harmless as doves. Not only, do nobody any hurt, but bear nobody any ill-will. Prudent care there must be, but not an anxious, perplexing thought; let this care be cast upon God. The disciples of Christ must think more how to do well, than how to speak well. In case of great peril, the disciples of Christ may go out of the way of danger, though they must not go out of the way of duty. No sinful, unlawful means may be used to escape; for then it is not a door of God's opening. The fear of man brings a snare, a perplexing snare, that disturbs our peace; an entangling snare, by which we are drawn into sin; and, therefore, it must be striven and prayed against. Tribulation, distress, and persecution cannot take away God's love to them, or theirs to him. Fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. They must deliver their message publicly, for all are deeply concerned in the doctrine of the gospel. The whole counsel of God must be made known, ( Acts 20:27 ) . Christ shows them why they should be of good cheer. Their sufferings witnessed against those who oppose his gospel. When God calls us to speak for him, we may depend on him to teach us what to say. A believing prospect of the end of our troubles, will be of great use to support us under them. They may be borne to the end, because the sufferers shall be borne up under them. The strength shall be according to the day. And it is great encouragement to those who are doing Christ's work, that it is a work which shall certainly be done. See how the care of Providence extends to all creatures, even to the sparrows. This should silence all the fears of God's people; Ye are of more value than many sparrows. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. This denotes the account God takes and keeps of his people. It is our duty, not only to believe in Christ, but to profess that faith, in suffering for him, when we are called to it, as well as in serving him. That denial of Christ only is here meant which is persisted in, and that confession only can have the blessed recompence here promised, which is the real and constant language of faith and love. Religion is worth every thing; all who believe the truth of it, will come up to the price, and make every thing else yield to it. Christ will lead us through sufferings, to glory with him. Those are best prepared for the life to come, that sit most loose to this present life. Though the kindness done to Christ's disciples be ever so small, yet if there be occasion for it, and ability to do no more, it shall be accepted. Christ does not say that they deserve a reward; for we cannot merit any thing from the hand of God; but they shall receive a reward from the free gift of God. Let us boldly confess Christ, and show love to him in all things.