New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Matthew 10
1
Jesus called for his 12 disciples to come to him. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every illness and sickness.
Reference
2
Here are the names of the 12 apostles. First are Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Then come James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 12:22
References John
Matthew 4:21
Luke 5:10
References Peter
Acts 1:13
Matthew 4:18
John 6:8
3
Next are Philip and Bartholomew, and also Thomas and Matthew the tax collector. Two more are James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus.
Reference
People
4
The last are Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Judas is the one who was later going to hand Jesus over to his enemies.
Reference
People
5
Jesus sent these 12 out with the following orders. "Do not go among those who aren't Jews," he said. "Do not enter any town of the Samaritans.
Reference
7
As you go, preach this message, 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
Reference
Kingdom
Acts 28:31
Matthew 3:2
Matthew 4:17
Luke 9:60
Luke 16:16
Luke 9:2
Parallel theme
Isaiah 61:1
Mark 6:12
Acts 10:25
Acts 4:2
8
Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases 'clean' again. Drive out demons. You have received freely, so give freely.
Reference
9
"Do not take along any gold, silver or copper in your belts.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 22:35
10
Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or sandals or walking sticks. A worker should be given what he needs.
Reference
11
"When you enter a town or village, look for someone who is willing to welcome you. Stay at that person's house until you leave.
Reference
12
As you enter the home, greet those who live there.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 25:6
13
If that home welcomes you, give it your blessing of peace. If it does not, don't bless it.
Reference
Peace
Luke 10:6
14
"Some people may not welcome you or listen to your words. If they don't, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
Reference
15
What I'm about to tell you is true. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Reference
16
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves.
Reference
17
"Watch out! Men will hand you over to the local courts. They will whip you in their synagogues.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 13:9
Matthew 23:34
Acts 26:11
Matthew 5:22
John 16:2
Luke 12:11
Acts 22:19
Micah 7:5
18
You will be brought to governors and kings because of me. You will be witnesses to them and to those who aren't Jews.
19
"But when they arrest you, don't worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the right words to say.
Reference
20
It will not be you speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 21:15
2 Corinthians 13:3
Spirit
Acts 6:10
2 Samuel 23:2
Luke 12:12
2 Peter 1:21
Acts 2:4
Acts 4:8
Acts 28:25
Acts 13:9
21
"Brothers will hand over brothers to be killed. Fathers will hand over their children. Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death.
Reference
22
Everyone will hate you because of me. But anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 1:12
Revelation 2:10
Matthew 10:39
1 John 3:13
Matthew 24:9
Romans 2:7
Hebrews 6:11
John 17:14
Salvation
Matthew 24:13
Mark 13:13
23
"When people attack you in one place, escape to another. What I'm about to tell you is true. You will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Reference
25
It is enough for the student to be like his teacher. And it is enough for the servant to be like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, what can the others who live there expect?
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 9:34
Matthew 12:24
John 7:20
Luke 11:15
Mark 3:22
John 8:48
John 8:52
John 10:20
26
"So don't be afraid of your enemies. Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered.
Reference
27
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight. What is whispered in your ear, shout from the rooftops.
Reference
28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but can't kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Reference
29
"Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing it.
32
"What about someone who says in front of others that he knows me? I will also say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I know him.
Reference
33
But what about someone who says in front of others that he doesn't know me? I will say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I don't know him.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Timothy 2:12
Luke 9:26
Luke 12:9
1 John 2:23
2 Peter 2:1
Mark 14:30
Mark 8:38
Mark 14:72
34
"Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I didn't come to bring peace. I came to bring a sword.
Reference
35
I have come to turn " 'sons against their fathers. Daughters will refuse to obey their mothers. Daughters?in?law will be against their mothers?in?law.
Reference
37
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Reference
39
If anyone finds his life, he will lose it. If anyone loses his life because of me, he will find it.
Reference
40
"Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me.
Reference
41
Suppose someone welcomes a prophet as a prophet. That one will receive a prophet's reward. And suppose someone welcomes a godly person as a godly person. That one will receive a godly person's reward.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 John 1:8
1 Corinthians 9:17
Matthew 16:27
Matthew 6:18
Romans 16:23
Matthew 6:6
Prophecy
Genesis 20:7
Righteousness
Hebrews 6:10
Summary of Matthew 10
Matthew 10 records Jesus commissioning the twelve apostles, giving them authority to heal, cast out demons, and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has come near, thereby extending Jesus' own ministry through a carefully chosen group of representatives.
The chapter begins by naming the Twelve, whose symbolic number recalls the twelve tribes of Israel and establishes them as a foundational group within Jesus' kingdom mission.
Jesus initially sends them specifically to the lost sheep of Israel, instructing them to proclaim God's kingdom, heal the sick, cleanse the unclean, raise the dead, and drive out demons, while commanding them to give freely because the authority they have received is itself a gift.
Their mission is deliberately simple, because Jesus tells them not to accumulate money or excessive travel supplies but instead to depend upon God and the hospitality of those who receive them, making their ministry visibly different from an enterprise organized around personal financial gain.
Jesus also prepares them for rejection, explaining that some towns and households will refuse their message, and He instructs them to leave without allowing rejection to stop the mission.
The second major section becomes more urgent as Jesus warns that His followers will face persecution, arrests, interrogation, family division, hatred, and even death, making it clear that proclaiming God's kingdom is not a path guaranteed to produce social acceptance.
Jesus nevertheless tells them not to be paralyzed by fear, because God's Spirit will help them speak when they are brought before authorities, and because God values them deeply, knowing even the number of hairs on their heads.
The reference to sparrows reinforces this message of divine care, because if God notices the death of an inexpensive and seemingly insignificant bird, His disciples can trust that their own suffering and lives are not invisible to Him.
Jesus then addresses the possibility of family conflict, explaining that loyalty to Him must ultimately be greater than loyalty to parents, children, or other loved ones, not because family relationships are unimportant but because discipleship requires placing God's kingdom above every competing allegiance.
The command to take up the cross would have been especially powerful in the 1st-century Roman world, where crucifixion was a brutal and publicly visible form of execution used by Roman authorities, making the image a direct symbol of self-denial, suffering, rejection, and complete commitment.
Jesus concludes by assuring His disciples that those who welcome them are welcoming Him, and those who support even the smallest needs of His messengers, such as providing a cup of water, will not lose their reward.
The central message is that Matthew 10 presents discipleship as participation in Jesus' mission, requiring faithful proclamation, dependence upon God, courage in persecution, discernment in relationships, willingness to sacrifice, and confidence that God sees and values every act of faithful service.
The chapter ultimately teaches that following Jesus is not merely accepting His message privately but becoming part of His mission publicly, even when that mission produces rejection or suffering, because the disciple who remains faithful through difficulty can trust that God knows their sacrifice, sustains their witness, and values even the smallest act performed in His name.
The chapter begins by naming the Twelve, whose symbolic number recalls the twelve tribes of Israel and establishes them as a foundational group within Jesus' kingdom mission.
Jesus initially sends them specifically to the lost sheep of Israel, instructing them to proclaim God's kingdom, heal the sick, cleanse the unclean, raise the dead, and drive out demons, while commanding them to give freely because the authority they have received is itself a gift.
Their mission is deliberately simple, because Jesus tells them not to accumulate money or excessive travel supplies but instead to depend upon God and the hospitality of those who receive them, making their ministry visibly different from an enterprise organized around personal financial gain.
Jesus also prepares them for rejection, explaining that some towns and households will refuse their message, and He instructs them to leave without allowing rejection to stop the mission.
The second major section becomes more urgent as Jesus warns that His followers will face persecution, arrests, interrogation, family division, hatred, and even death, making it clear that proclaiming God's kingdom is not a path guaranteed to produce social acceptance.
Jesus nevertheless tells them not to be paralyzed by fear, because God's Spirit will help them speak when they are brought before authorities, and because God values them deeply, knowing even the number of hairs on their heads.
The reference to sparrows reinforces this message of divine care, because if God notices the death of an inexpensive and seemingly insignificant bird, His disciples can trust that their own suffering and lives are not invisible to Him.
Jesus then addresses the possibility of family conflict, explaining that loyalty to Him must ultimately be greater than loyalty to parents, children, or other loved ones, not because family relationships are unimportant but because discipleship requires placing God's kingdom above every competing allegiance.
The command to take up the cross would have been especially powerful in the 1st-century Roman world, where crucifixion was a brutal and publicly visible form of execution used by Roman authorities, making the image a direct symbol of self-denial, suffering, rejection, and complete commitment.
Jesus concludes by assuring His disciples that those who welcome them are welcoming Him, and those who support even the smallest needs of His messengers, such as providing a cup of water, will not lose their reward.
The central message is that Matthew 10 presents discipleship as participation in Jesus' mission, requiring faithful proclamation, dependence upon God, courage in persecution, discernment in relationships, willingness to sacrifice, and confidence that God sees and values every act of faithful service.
The chapter ultimately teaches that following Jesus is not merely accepting His message privately but becoming part of His mission publicly, even when that mission produces rejection or suffering, because the disciple who remains faithful through difficulty can trust that God knows their sacrifice, sustains their witness, and values even the smallest act performed in His name.