Mission Of The Twelve
MISSION OF THE TWELVE
MATTHEW 10:1-15
This work is so vital that it calls for simplicity of life, urgency of manner and total commitment.
Into the ripe harvest-field, then, the Twelve are sent two by two, and the evangelist takes the opportunity to list their names (10:2-4; cf. Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13). There are variations between the lists given by the several evangelists, but if the Twelve are divided into three groups of four, each group of four invariably begins with the same name: Simon Peter, Philip, James the son of Alphaeus. Thaddaeus (cf. Mark 3:18) must be equated with “Judas the son of James” of Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13 (cf. “Judas not Iscariot” of John 14:22). “Cananaean” (not “Canaanite,” as in KJV) here and in Mark 3:18 represents the Aramaic word which corresponds to “Zealot” (Gk. zélótés, Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13), denoting a member (or former member) of the militant party of resistance.
The commission to the Twelve constitutes Matthew’s second body of discourse material. They were to function as an extension of their Master’s ministry, speaking and acting in his name. With the message of 10:7 cf. 4:17. The time was limited, and they must concentrate on “the Jew first.” That Jesus was willing to help Gentiles we have seen already (8:5ff.) and his friendly contacts with Samaritans are chronicled in other Gospels; but the time for their unrestricted access to his grace was not yet (cf. John 12:24-32). That the present restriction betokens no exclusive outlook on the part of the evangelist himself is plain from the post-Easter commission of 28:19f., spoken when the earlier restrictions have been removed. The reference to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (cf. 9:36) implies that Jesus offered himself to them as their true Shepherd (cf. John 10:1-16, echoing Ezekiel 34:23f., where the son of David fulfills this rôle).
The Twelve were to take no provisions for their journey but to depend on charity. The dictum that “the laborer deserves his food” (10:10) has echoes elsewhere in the New Testament (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:14; 1 Timothy 5:18). The expectation that in any town or village one “who is worthy” will be found recalls what Josephus says about the traveling Essenes—that they could always rely on the hospitality of resident Essenes. Jesus knew that sympathizers with the message of the kingdom might be found in many places; some at least of these would have been influenced by the preaching of John the Baptist (cf. 3:5f.).
The “peace” of 10:13 is that of the greeting “Peace be with you.” So terrible a judgment will be experienced by the place which refuses the gospel they bring that its dust must be shaken off as they depart lest that judgment extend to it and so to them (cf. Acts 13:51; 18:6).
Consider The Twelve had first to witness to their own people. It is a serious delusion to think that the “flop” at home will be a shining success in the mission field.