Matthew 10:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And when he had called unto him— The distinction of the sacred writings into Chapter s and verses, which is a modern invention to facilitate references, has with that advantage many inconveniencies, because it often breaks that thread of discourse, which is the proper clue to lead us into the meaning of what follows. It will be seen how reasonable this reflection is, if we look back to the 36th verse, &c. of the preceding chapter, where we read that Jesus, beholding the multitudes (in their spiritual capacities, which were ever the principal object of his regard), had compassion on them, because they were tired and lay down, as sheep that had no shepherd; Then saith he, &c. After this, as he himself was ever foremost, on all proper occasions, to do what he commanded others, he passed the following night in prayer; see Luke 6:12-13.: and the next morning chose twelve from among his disciples, whom he constituted apostles; persons sent, that is to say, especial messengers, and sent them forth with a peculiar commission, as shepherds, to raise and guide those dejected forlorn sheep, who had moved his compassion; and as labourers, to be employed in the harvest which was now mature, and fit for the threshing-floor. The language is figurative, and there is an absolute necessity that it should be so; because the mental dispositions here spoken of have no proper names in human language, which consists only of terms, that in their first signification all belong to the objects of sense. The language is therefore figurative; andeven different figures are here made use of to express the same object; which also cannot sometimes be avoided: for every similitude is defective, and can shew but a part. Therefore, where one similitude falls short, another may aptly supply its deficiency, and represent, by new images, the whole of what was intended. Thus, in the passage now under consideration, the same mental disposition is expressed by two metaphors, both highly instructive, yet in different respects, for each gives a different lesson. The first shews what kind of persons are rightly disposed to be admitted into that last and peculiar dispensation, which is called the kingdom of heaven; and the second intimates to those who are to be admitted, what kind of treatment they are to expect there. See Heylin, the note on Matthew 10:6., and on ch. Matthew 3:7. It appears from the present verse, that Jesus had already chosen from among his disciples those whom he afterwards honoured with the name of Apostles. Compare Mark 3:14.Luke 6:13. It is probable that he chose twelve, in reference to the twelve tribes of Israel (see ch. Matthew 19:28. Luke 22:30. Revelation 21:12; Revelation 21:14 and compare Exodus 24:4.Deuteronomy 1:23. Joshua 4:2-3.); and therefore care was taken, on the death of Judas, to choose another to make up the number; which seems to have been a mark of respect paid to the Jews, previous to the grand offer of the Gospel to them: whereas, when they had generally rejected it, Paul was added to the Apostles, without any regard to the particular number of twelve.