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Matthew 10:1. And calling His twelve disciples, He gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out and heal every disease and every infirmity. Elects twelve disciples according to the number of twelve tribes. Giving them strength. He sent them, although there were few of them, since in general there are few who follow a narrow path. He gave them the power of working miracles, so that, striking with miracles, they would have listeners attentive to their teaching. Matthew 10:2. The names of the twelve apostles are these: the first Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, Matthew lists the names of the apostles because of the false apostles. He puts Peter and Andrew first, because they were called first; then the sons of Zebedee, but of these he places James first before John, for he does not number them according to their merit, but simply as he had to. So he says: James Zebedee and John his brother, Matthew 10:3. Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, James Alphaeus and Levbeus, called Thaddeus, Matthew 10:4. Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. Look at the humility of Matthew: he placed himself after Thomas, and when he got to Judas, he did not say: “this vile man, this enemy of God,” but called him Iscariot, after his fatherland, because there was another Judas - Levway or Thaddeus. So, there were two Jacobs: one Zebedee, the other Alphaeus, and two Judas: Judas Thaddeus and Judas the traitor, and three Simons: Peter, the Canaanite and the traitor, for Judas Iscariot was called Simon. Matthew 10:5. Jesus sent these twelve and commanded them, saying, “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter the city of the Samaritans, Matthew 10:6. but go ye especially unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel; Matthew 10:7. As you go, preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; “Sih” – who? Fishermen, ordinary people, tax collectors. Initially he sends them to the Jews so that they cannot say: the apostles were sent to the pagans, therefore we Jews did not believe. So He makes the Jews unresponsive. He puts the Samaritans along with the pagans, since they, being Babylonians, inhabited Judea and did not accept the prophets, but only the five books of Moses. By the Kingdom of Heaven he means bliss. The Lord gives the apostles miracles as weapons, telling them: Matthew 10:8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Nothing befits a teacher more than humility and non-covetousness. Therefore, these two virtues are shown here when he says, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Do not become arrogant in having such blessings and giving them away, because you have received them freely and by grace. But with humility of mind, be non-covetous: “freely,” he says, “give.” Having completely uprooted the root of all evil, he says: Matthew 10:9. Take with you neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, Matthew 10:10. neither a bag for the journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff, for the worker is worthy of food. Accustoms them to any severity. Therefore, distracting them from any excess and making them completely carefree, it does not allow them to carry wands. For this is truly non-covetousness, which encourages one to believe in the One who teaches about non-covetousness. Then, so that they don’t say: “Where will we get food from?” - says: “the worker is worthy of food,” that is, you will eat from your disciples, for they must provide this to you as laborers. Food, he said, and not luxury, because teachers should not live in luxury. Matthew 10:11. Whatever city or village you enter, visit who is worthy in it, and stay there until you leave; He does not order everyone to enter, so that, communicating with the unworthy, they do not become the subject of slander, and if they go to only the worthy, then, of course, they will find food. He commands them to stay and not move from house to house, so that they are not reproached as gluttons, and so that those who receive them for the first time do not consider themselves offended. Matthew 10:12. And when you enter a house, greet it, saying: Peace to this house; Matthew 10:13. and if the house is worthy, then your peace will come upon it; if you are not worthy, then your peace will return to you. By kissing and peace we mean a blessing that is only with the worthy. Learn from this that it is mainly our deeds that bless us. Matthew 10:14. And if anyone does not receive you and does not listen to your words, then, when leaving that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet; Matthew 10:15. Truly I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city. The Lord wants them to shake off the dust, showing that they did not take anything there because of their unbelief, or testifying that the path they walked was very long, and they made it without benefit. So, it will be more bearable for the Sodomites than for these unbelievers, for the Sodomites, being punished here, will be punished much more easily there. Matthew 10:16. Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves: The Lord gave them miracles as weapons and provided them with food, opening the doors of the worthy for them; now, showing His foresight, He speaks about the dangers that are about to happen to them, and invigorates them with words. “I,” he says, “are strong, so dare, for you will be inviolable. But it also prepares them for suffering. Just as it is impossible for a sheep not to suffer among wolves, so it is for you among the Jews; but even if you suffer, do not be angry. I want you to be meek like sheep, and this is the main way to win.” Therefore, be wise as serpents and simple as doves. He wants his students to be wise. So that, hearing that they are compared to sheep, you do not think that a Christian must be weak-minded, he says: he must also be wise, knowing how to live among a mass of enemies. Just as a snake exposes its entire body to blows, but protects its head, so a Christian must give everything to those who beat him, even his body, but must protect his head, which is Christ and faith in Him; just as a snake, shrinking in some hole and crawling, throws off its old skin, so we, walking along a narrow path, must peel off the old man. But since the snake does harm, the Lord commands us to be simple, that is, pure, gentle and harmless, like doves, for the latter, even losing their children and being persecuted, immediately return to their owners. So, be wise as a snake, so that they do not laugh at you in life, but so that everything you have is impeccable. As for harm in relation to others, then be like a dove, that is, not malicious, simple. Matthew 10:17. Beware of people, for they will hand you over to the courts and beat you in their synagogues, Matthew 10:18. and you will be brought before governors and kings for Me, to testify before them and the Gentiles. You see what it means to be wise: to be careful and not give a reason to those who want to persecute, but to arrange their affairs wisely. Whether the persecutor wants property or honors, give it so that he has no reason to persecute you, but if he takes away your faith, then take care of this head of yours. Christ intended to send His disciples not only to the Jews, but also to the pagans, which is why he says: “for testimony before them and the pagans,” that is, to expose those who do not believe. Matthew 10:19. When they betray you, do not worry about how or what to say; for in that hour it will be given to you what to say; Matthew 10:20. For it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you. So that they don’t say: “How can we, simple people, convince the wise?” “The Lord commands them to be brave and not worry about it.” When we have to converse among the faithful, we must prepare ourselves in advance to defend ourselves, as Peter admonishes; but in the midst of raging nations and kings, the Lord promises His strength so that we will not fear. It is our business to profess faith, but to defend ourselves wisely is a gift from God. And so that you do not suspect that natural ability is at work in defense, he says: It is not you who will speak, but the Spirit. Matthew 10:21. Brother will betray brother to death, and father his son; and children will rise up against their parents and kill them; Tells them in advance what will happen so that when it happens they are not embarrassed. It also shows the power of preaching, which encourages despising, for such is true Christianity. But Christ also shows the fury of the infidels: they will not spare even their own household. Matthew 10:22. And you will be hated by everyone because of My name; he who endures to the end will be saved. “All” instead of “many”, because not everyone hated them, since there were also those who accepted the faith. “He who endures to the end,” and not just at the beginning, will be a participant in eternal life. Matthew 10:23. When they persecute you in one city, flee to another. For truly I say to you, before you have gone around the cities of Israel, the Son of Man comes. What was said above and terrible: “they will betray you” and “you will be hated” referred to what happened after the ascension; the same thing that is said now concerns events before the cross. You, enduring persecution, will not have time to go around the cities of Israel, and I will already come to you. When persecution comes, he commands them to flee, for clearly rushing into danger and serving as a reason for condemnation of murderers, as well as harming those who hoped to benefit from the sermon, is the devil’s work. The words “how the Son of Man comes” do not refer to the second coming, but to that coming and consolation that was before the cross. For after the disciples had been sent out and preached, they returned again to Christ and continued with Him. Matthew 10:24. A student is not higher than a teacher, and a servant is not higher than his master: Matthew 10:25. It is enough for a student that he should be like his teacher, and for a servant that he should be like his master. Here he teaches to refrain from insulting others: if I, the Teacher and Master, endured everything, then how much more so do you, the disciples and slaves. But you ask: “How does it say, “the student is not higher than the teacher,” when we see that many students are better than their teachers?” Know then that while they are students, they are less than teachers; but when they become better than them, they are no longer disciples, just as a slave, while he remains a slave, cannot be higher than his master. If the master of the house was called Beelzebub, how much more of his household? Matthew 10:26. So do not be afraid of them: for there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not be known. Take comfort, he says, in what I endure. If I have been called the chief of demons, then what is surprising if they slander you, My household? He called them “household” and not slaves, thereby showing His closeness to them. But take heart, because the truth will not be hidden: time will show both your virtue and the malice of those who slander, for there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, so even if they slander you, they will recognize you later. Matthew 10:27. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and whatever you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. What, he says, he told you in one place only and in one place, for this is what the words mean: “in the ear” and “in the dark,” teach about this boldly and loudly, so that everyone can hear you, but since dangers follow courage, he adds: Matthew 10:28. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but fear Him more who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. He teaches us to despise death, because the punishment in Gehenna, he says, is more terrible. Murderers cause harm only to the body, but perhaps bring good to the soul, but God, casting them into Gehenna, executes both: soul and body. Saying: “in Gehenna,” indicates the eternity of punishment, for the word “Gehenna” comes from the Greek word “to be born forever.” Matthew 10:29. Are not two small birds sold for assarium ***? And not one of them will fall to the ground without the will of your Father; Matthew 10:30. Even the hairs on your head are all numbered; Matthew 10:31. Do not be afraid: you are better than many small birds. So that the disciples would not be embarrassed, as if abandoned by Him, he says: if even a small bird cannot be caught without My knowledge, then how can I leave you whom I love? Showing His comprehensive knowledge and providence, He says that our hair is numbered by Him. Do not think that small birds are caught with the assistance of God, but their catching is not unknown to Him. Matthew 10:32. Therefore, everyone who confesses Me (“by Me,” as it is said in the original) before people, him will I also confess before My Heavenly Father; Matthew 10:33. but whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. It encourages confession, for it is not content with faith only in the soul, but wants faith confessed with the lips. He did not say, “Whoever confesses Me,” but “By Me,” that is, by My power, for he who confesses confesses, relying on grace from above. About the one who renounces, he did not say: “By Me,” but “from Me,” showing by this that the one who renounces is the one who does not have help from above. Everyone who confesses that Christ is God will find Christ confessing him before His Father that he is a faithful servant. Those who deny will hear: “I don’t know you.” Matthew 10:34. Do not think that I came to bring peace to earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword, Matthew 10:35. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Matthew 10:36. And a man's enemies are those of his own household. Agreement is not always good: there are times when division is good. The sword means the word of faith, which cuts us off from the mood of our family and relatives if they interfere with us in the matter of piety. The Lord does not say here that we should move away or be separated from them without a special reason - we should move away only if they do not agree with us, but rather hinder us in faith. Matthew 10:37. Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and whoever loves a son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; You see that it is only necessary to hate parents and children if they want to be loved more than Christ. But what am I saying about the father and children? Hear more: Matthew 10:38. and whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever, he says, does not renounce this life and does not give himself up to a shameful death (for this meant the cross among the ancients), is not worthy of Me. But since many are crucified as robbers and thieves, he added: “and follows Me,” that is, lives in accordance with My laws! Matthew 10:39. He who saves his soul will lose it; but he who loses his life for My sake will save it. He who cares about carnal life thinks that he is saving his soul, but he destroys it too, subjecting him to eternal punishment. Whoever destroys his soul and dies, but not as a robber or suicide, but for the sake of Christ, saves it. Matthew 10:40. Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; Matthew 10:41. whoever receives the prophet, in the name of the prophet, will receive the reward of the prophet; Matthew 10:42. and whoever receives the righteous, in the name of the righteous, will receive the reward of the righteous. Encourages us to accept those who are with Christ, for whoever honors His disciples honors Him, and through Him the Father. The righteous and prophets must be received in the name of the righteous and the prophet, that is, because they are righteous and prophets, and not because of any representation or intercession with kings. But if someone wears only the appearance of a prophet, but in reality turns out to be not one, you accept him as a prophet, and God will reward you in the same way as if you had actually accepted a righteous person. For this is what the words mean: “he will receive the reward of the righteous.” You can understand them differently: the one who accepts the righteous will be recognized as righteous; and he will receive the same reward as the righteous. Matthew 10:42. And whoever gives one of these little ones to drink only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, truly I tell you, will not lose his reward. To prevent anyone from pleading poverty, the Lord says: if you can give someone a cup of cold water, because he is My disciple, you will receive his reward. A cup of cold water is also given by the one who teaches someone who is burning with the fire of anger and passions, and makes him a disciple of Christ; and this one will not lose his reward.