Mateo 10

1 ENTONCES llamando á sus doce discípulos, les dió potestad contra los espíritus inmundos, para que los echasen fuera, y sanasen toda enfermedad y toda dolencia.

2 Y los nombres de los doce apóstoles son estos: el primero, Simón, que es dicho Pedro, y Andrés su hermano; Jacobo, hijo de Zebedeo, y Juan su hermano;

3 Felipe, y Bartolomé; Tomás, y Mateo el publicano; Jacobo hijo de Alfeo, y Lebeo, por sobrenombre Tadeo;

4 Simón el Cananita y Judas Iscariote, que también le entregó.

5 á estos doce envió Jesús, á los cuales dió mandamiento, diciendo: Por el camino de los Gentiles no iréis, y en ciudad de Samaritanos no entréis;

6 Mas id antes á las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel.

7 Y yendo, predicad, diciendo: El reino de los cielos se ha acercado.

8 Sanad enfermos, limpiad leprosos, resucitad muertos, echad fuera demonios: de gracia recibisteis, dad de gracia.

9 No aprestéis oro, ni plata, ni cobre en vuestras bolsas;

10 Ni alforja para el camino, ni dos ropas de vestir, ni zapatos, ni bordón; porque el obrero digno es de su alimento.

11 Mas en cualquier ciudad, ó aldea donde entrareis, investigad quién sea en ella digno, y reposad allí hasta que salgáis.

12 Y entrando en la casa, saludadla.

13 Y si la casa fuere digna, vuestra paz vendrá sobre ella; mas si no fuere digna, vuestra paz se volverá á vosotros.

14 Y cualquiera que no os recibiere, ni oyere vuestras palabras, salid de aquella casa ó ciudad, y sacudid el polvo de vuestros pies.

15 De cierto os digo, que el castigo será más tolerable á la tierra de los de Sodoma y de los de Gomorra en el día del juicio, que á aquella ciudad.

16 He aquí, yo os envío como á ovejas en medio de lobos: sed pues prudentes como serpientes, y sencillos como palomas.

17 Y guardaos de los hombres: porque os entregarán en concilios, y en sus sinagogas os azotarán;

18 Y aun á príncipes y á reyes seréis llevados por causa de mí, por testimonio á ellos y á los Gentiles.

19 Mas cuando os entregaren, no os apuréis por cómo ó qué hablaréis; porque en aquella hora os será dado qué habéis de hablar.

20 Porque no sois vosotros los que habláis, sino el Espíritu de vuestro Padre que habla en vosotros.

21 Y el hermano entregará al hermano á la muerte, y el padre al hijo; y los hijos se levantarán contra los padres, y los harán morir.

22 Y seréis aborrecidos de todos por mi nombre; mas el que soportare hasta el fin, éste será salvo.

23 Mas cuando os persiguieren en esta ciudad, huid á la otra: porque de cierto os digo, que no acabaréis de andar todas las ciudades de Israel, que no venga el Hijo del hombre.

24 El discípulo no es más que su maestro, ni el siervo más que su señor.

25 Bástale al discípulo ser como su maestro, y al siervo como su señor. Si al padre de la familia llamaron Beelzebub, ¿cuánto más á los de su casa?

26 Así que, no los temáis; porque nada hay encubierto, que no haya de ser manifestado; ni oculto, que no haya de saberse.

27 Lo que os digo en tinieblas, decidlo en la luz; y lo que oís al oído predicadlo desde los terrados.

28 Y no temáis á los que matan el cuerpo, mas al alma no pueden matar: temed antes á aquel que puede destruir el alma y el cuerpo en el infierno.

29 ¿No se venden dos pajarillos por un cuarto? Con todo, ni uno de ellos cae á tierra sin vuestro Padre.

30 Pues aun vuestros cabellos están todos contados.

31 Así que, no temáis: más valéis vosotros que muchos pajarillos.

32 Cualquiera pues que me confesare delante de los hombres, le confesaré yo también delante de mi Padre que está en los cielos.

33 Y cualquiera que me negare delante de los hombres, le negaré yo también delante de mi Padre que está en los cielos.

34 No penséis que he venido para meter paz en la tierra: no he venido para meter paz, sino espada.

35 Porque he venido para hacer disensión del hombre contra su padre, y de la hija contra su madre, y de la nuera contra su suegra.

36 Y los enemigos del hombre serán los de su casa.

37 El que ama padre ó madre más que á mí, no es digno de mí; y el que ama hijo ó hija más que á mí, no es digno de mí.

38 Y el que no toma su cruz, y sigue en pos de mí, no es digno de mí.

39 El que hallare su vida, la perderá; y el que perdiere su vida por causa de mí, la hallará.

40 El que os recibe á vosotros, á mí recibe; y el que á mí recibe, recibe al que me envió.

41 El que recibe profeta en nombre de profeta, merced de profeta recibirá; y el que recibe justo en nombre de justo, merced de justo recibirá.

42 Y cualquiera que diere á uno de estos pequeñitos un vaso de agua fría solamente, en nombre de discípulo, de cierto os digo, que no perderá su recompensa.

Mateo 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.