Matthew 10:5 - 15

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts,

10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.

12 And when you go into a household, greet it.

13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

These men we just discussed in the last session are now being sent out as the laborers Jesus prayed to receive in the previous chapter.

These men are being sent out into a specific area limited to Jews, they were restricted to only working with the full blooded Jews. Everyone else is regarded as Gentiles. The Samaritans were distinguished from the Gentiles because they were a mixed race, part Jew and part Gentile. This was evident both in their blood and their religion. Their origin is recorded in 2 Kings 17.

The apostles are sent directly to the “lost sheep” of the house of Israel. These people had been neglected and had the will of the leaders imposed on them by the laws the Pharisees imposed on the nation. These laws were not to benefit the people but to benefit the rulers who basically ignored the laws themselves. In (Matthew 23:1 – 7[1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’]) Jesus spoke about the burdens placed on the people by the Scribes and Pharisees, this had been going on for generations.

This is why Jesus in the last chapter had compassion on them and thought of them as a flock of sheep scattered because they had no real leaders.

Jesus tells them to preach “the kingdom of heaven(church) was at hand” The church had not been set up yet when Jesus gave these men their instructions. John the Baptist, did not set up the kingdom(church) because he was already dead. He helped prepare the way for the kingdom.

Jesus gave them the powers to be able to do the same miracles of which Jesus was performing, even raising people from the dead.

He said these powers were given freely to these men and they should freely pass on the results to those in need of them.

Gold and silver are the metals used in the currency of those days, coins with the inscription of the Roman government. These would be used to finance their existence during the work they are performing.

The scrip or bag would be used to carry their needs such as food for the time they were working. They are also told not to take any extra clothing or sandals. Christ is teaching a workman is worthy of the needs he incurs during the time he is working in the field. The people who they are helping and teaching should be able to support the work while they were with them.

Later when they were without the immediate support of Jesus and out in areas which were not under the influence of the Jews they would have the need to look out for themselves. (Luke 22: 35-38.)

When they entered a town or village they need to inquire to find some house which would be suitable to use as their base, someone who is hospitable and will be worthy of their visit. They were to use that person's home as their base and not be prone to moving around while in the town.

When they chose a place and entered it they were to give a proper greeting or salutation to the inhabitants of the house, this would be as an act of courtesy. This would be in the form of a blessing of the family.

After they have entered the house then if the family is worthy of their stay then their peace or good wishes was to be given them. That would be accompanied by them giving the Gospel or “good news of the kingdom.” If they found the household to be undesirable they were to retract their good wishes or blessings which had been given.

If the household or the entire town rejected the message and blessings of the apostles then as they left they were to “shake the dust off of their feet” it was a symbolic act which meant that all of the responsibility for their souls were to be left at their door. Very similar to “washing the hands” of a situation. The rejection meant their spiritual fate was in their hands now.

The reason it would be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah than for the ones who rejected the teachings of the apostles was the ones the apostles were preaching to had a better chance to hear what is righteous than the wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah. It does not mean on the day of judgment the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah will be shown mercy by God.