Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaborative effort between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. For 9 months in 1997 Mary was sick and too weak to stray far from her bed. During that time, she read the New Testament and took notes on each of the books. In our study of Matthew, we use Mary's notes and Alice offers points of historical and anthropological relevance.
Before you begin, read Matthew chapter 10. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.
Before you begin, read Matthew chapter 10. When you have finished reading, answer the 10 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.
Introduction
Matthew chapter 10 narrates the calling of the 12 Apostles and the authority they received to raise the dead, heal the sick and infirm, and cast out demons. Jesus tells them to travel light and to receive provisions from those who are worthy. He warns them that they will be persecuted and maligned, but they are not to fear. Jesus Christ acknowledges all who acknowledge him as the Son of God. Those who take up the cross (v. 38) will face threats of destruction, but they will be rewarded by God.
Questions
1. Each of the original 12 Apostles is remembered by name. What does Matthew tell us about these men?
2. What is the difference between an "apostle" and a "disciple"?
3. What were the Apostles told to preach and teach about?
4. What geographical limits did Jesus initially place on the Apostles?
5. Why were the Apostles not to accept money for their ministries?
6. When a household offered hospitality to the Apostles, that house was saluted. What does that mean?
7. What forms of persecution did the Apostles face?
8. What encouragement did Jesus offer to the Apostles?
9. What must be the first priority of an Apostle?
10. Jesus promises to reward those who help his messengers. What rewards are to be given?
Answers
1. Matthew includes himself in the list of the original 12 Apostles and admits that he was a tax collector, a person the Jews resented. We are told about 2 sets of brothers: Andrew and Peter, and James and John. James and John were the sons of Zebedee whose name comes from the Hebrew Zebadyah. This name is constructed of two words: zebad means "given" or "endowed" and Yah refers to God/Yahweh. Bartholomew is a based on the name of a man's father or one of his ancestors (a patronymic). A patronymic typically has a prefix or suffix. Some examples include Johnson, O'Brien, and Ivanovich. Hebrew patronymics usually appear with the words ben or bar, meaning son or male descendant. In Numbers 13, Caleb is designated Kalev ben Jephunneh. 1 Chronicles 2:19 refers to Hur ben Kalev. Bar-tholomew is an Anglicized version of the Aramaic patronymic Bar-Talmai. Finally, we are told that Judas Iscariot was among the original 12 Apostles and that he betrayed Jesus.
2. A disciple is a follower and student of a teacher. The Jewish rabbis had many disciples (talmidim). An apostle is a disciple who has been given authority to spread the teacher's message and doctrines. The 12 Apostles received spiritual authority directly from Jesus Christ and were eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection. Some churches believe that the Apostles' authority is perpetuated through an unbroken line of bishops in apostolic succession.
3. Jesus told them to preach that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (v.7) They were to announce that God's heavenly rule is present through Jesus Christ. Those who follow Christ become citizens of His kingdom.
4. Jesus told the Apostles not to go to where the Gentiles and the Samaritans live, but to restrict themselves to the places where Jews lived. He referred to the Jews a "the lost sheep of the house of Israel".
5. Jesus told the Apostles not to accept money for their apostolic ministries because they had freely received and they were to give without pay. The act of selling religious things or acts of ministry is called "simony" after Simon Magus who offered payment to two disciples in exchange for empowering him with the Holy Spirit so he could place his hands on people and work miracles (Acts chapter 8). The term refers to trafficking for money in spiritual things. If the Apostles had accepted money for their ministries, they would have been viewed as no different than many of the Jewish religious leaders.
6. Jesus told the Apostles that the worker is deserving of their food. They were to find a "worthy" home in each new town they visited. They were to bless (salute) it with peace and stay there. If the people rejected them and their message, they were to leave and "shake the dust off their feet" as a symbolic act indicating God's rejection of that place at the coming judgment. The Apostles were to focus on receptive people and not waste time and energy on those who were hostile to the message. An Eastern salute includes a blessing or wishing a person peace and good health. This could be either spoken or in writing. Paul's letters typically begin and end with a salute or salutation. Philippians 4:22 is an example - "All the saints salute you, especially those who are of Caesar's household."
7. The Apostles faced being flogged in the synagogues, prosecution before councils and kings, spiteful treatment from their families and communities, and death.
8. Jesus told them not to be anxious about what to say because the Spirit would speak through them (v.19). He told them not to be afraid because all would be revealed (v. 26). He explained that their Heavenly Father's will for them would be accomplished (v. 29). He assured them that they were of great value to the Father (v. 30).
9. The Apostle's first priority must be to obediently follow Jesus Christ. To do that, he must take up his cross and be prepared to lose even his life for the sake of the Gospel.
10. Jesus promises a prophet's reward and a righteous man's reward to those who honor and receive a prophet or a righteous person. Supporting the work of the prophet and the righteous man deserves a reward. Jesus also promises a reward for giving a cup of cold water to a disciple. Even the smallest act of kindness or hospitality, done in Christ's name, will be rewarded.
All but Judas Iscariot achieved true apostleship. Most of the Apostles were martyred. John was exiled to the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian but was released after the emperor's death. He then went to Ephesus, where he lived to an old age. He received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation while on Patmos. His Gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation, significantly influenced the theology of the early Church. It is believed that John died around the year 100 A.D.
Join us next week as we delve into Matthew chapter 11. Please invite your friends to join our study.
Join us next week as we delve into Matthew chapter 11. Please invite your friends to join our study.
Related reading:
Matthew Chapter 2: The Magi Worship the Christ and Defy Herod
Matthew Chapter 3: Jesus and John Fulfill All Righteousness
Matthew Chapter 4: Jesus Exposes the Devil's Tactics
Matthew Chapter 5: Jesus Teaches with Superior Authority
Matthew Chapter 6: True Kingdom Seekers
Matthew Chapter 7: Entering by the Narrow Gate
Matthew Chapter 8: The Uniqueness of Jesus
Matthew Chapter 9: Christ the Compassionate Lord
Matthew Chapter 11: The Messiah Brings Relief
Matthew Chapter 12: Greater Glory Resides in Jesus
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