Matthew 10:11-23 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

The apostles are to put up at the houses of the worthy, i.e. such as are ready to welcome them and their message. The house in Matthew 10:13 is perhaps best understood of that at which they make the inquiry; the peace or salutation is thought of as an objective blessing settling upon the worthy household, but otherwise returning to the speakers in full measure for future use. Or that city (Matthew 10:14) is the confusing addition of some copyist. So is Matthew 10:15, a doublet of Matthew 11:24 added here to harmonise with Luke 10:12. It is probable that Mt. orginally mentioned simply the house (JThS 11558). Matthew 10:16 is preliminary to Matthew 10:17-22, verses which belong properly to the late apocalyptic discourse (ch. 24), where Mt. summarises them. They reflect a much later Christian experience than the charge to the apostles, and there is nothing in the message and work of Matthew 10:7 f. to evoke persecution.

Matthew 10:16 b. Mt. only. The comparison with the serpent is limited to prudence; Jesus illustrated His injunction by His adroit replies to tricky and entrapping questions.

Matthew 10:18 anticipates mission work no longer restricted to Israel.

Matthew 10:19 b, by the way, is not addressed to clergy and ministers who regularly address Christian congregations.

Matthew 10:20. the Spirit of your Father is a unique expression; Jesus may have in mind Joel 2:28 f.

Matthew 10:22. The name stood for the person (cf. Acts 5:41; Acts 9:16; Acts 15:26; 3 John 1:7, and frequently in OT).

Matthew 10:22 b. to the end is sometimes taken with shall be saved (i.e. shall have deliverance and victory), in the sense of finally, but is better as it stands with endureth, meaning continually, or to the utmost extent of the persecution (cf. Revelation 2:10).

Matthew 10:23. This much-discussed verse is clearly no part of the charge to the Twelve, and no indication that Jesus expected the Parousia before the completion of their tour. It goes with the anachronistic Matthew 10:17-22, and Schweitzer (Messianitä ts-und Leidensgeheimnis, pp. 102ff., cf. pp. 15f.: Quest, p. 357) is off the mark. It is the community of Christians that is to flee during the portents that precede the end, and it is they who will not need to go beyond Palestine for refuge, because the Son of Man is at hand.

Related Commentaries of Matthew 10:11

Matthew 10:11-23

11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.

13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmlessc as doves.

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.