1 Jesus called for his 12 disciples to come to him. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every illness and sickness.

2 Here are the names of the 12 apostles. First there were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Then came James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. 3 Next were Philip and Bartholomew, and also Thomas and Matthew the tax collector. Two more were James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. 4 The last were Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Judas was the one who was later going to hand Jesus over to his enemies.

5 Jesus sent these 12 out with the following orders. “Do not go among the Gentiles,” he said. “Do not enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Instead, go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that have become lost. 7 As you go, preach this message, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases ‘clean’ again. Drive out demons. You have received freely, so give freely.

9 “Do not get any gold, silver or copper to take with you in your belts. 10 Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or sandals or walking sticks. A worker should be given what he needs. 11 When you enter a town or village, look for someone who is willing to welcome you. Stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, greet those who live there. 13 If that home welcomes you, give it your blessing of peace. If it does not, don’t bless it. 14 Some people may not welcome you or listen to your words. If they don’t, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet. 15 What I’m about to tell you is true. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves. 17 Watch out! You will be handed over to the local courts. You will be whipped in the synagogues. 18 You will be brought to governors and kings because of me. You will be witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, don’t worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the right words to say. 20 It will not be you speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.

21 “Brothers will hand over brothers to be killed. Fathers will hand over their children. Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me. But anyone who remains strong in the faith will be saved. 23 When people attack you in one place, escape to another. What I’m about to tell you is true. You will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “The student is not better than the teacher. A slave is not better than his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers. And it is enough for slaves to be like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, what can the others who live there expect?


Discussion Questions: Matthew 10:1-25

Calling and Authority (vv. 1-8)

1. The Apostles' Message: Jesus instructs the disciples to "Proclaim the message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near'" (v. 7). What does the phrase "The kingdom of heaven has come near" mean, and how was their work (healing, casting out demons) a visible demonstration of that message?

2. "Freely You Received, Freely Give": Jesus commands the disciples to "Freely you have received; freely give" (v. 8). What did the disciples "receive freely," and how does this principle apply to the gifts, resources, or spiritual insights we possess as Christians today?

Instructions and Reliance (vv. 9-15)

3. The Missionary's Provision: Jesus gives specific instructions about what not to take on their journey (no gold, bag, extra tunic, etc., vv. 9-10). Why do you think Jesus gave such radical instructions on self-sufficiency? What lesson about reliance and faith was He teaching them?

4. Responding to Rejection: The disciples are told to "shake the dust off your feet" if a town will not welcome them (v. 14). What is the meaning behind this symbolic act, and how can believers today apply the principle of letting go of unreceptive people or frustrating evangelistic efforts?

Persecution and Wisdom (vv. 16-25)

5. "Sheep Among Wolves": Jesus sends the disciples out "like sheep among wolves" (v. 16). How does this imagery set the tone for the disciples' expectations, and how does it relate to the experience of the church in the world today?

6. Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves: The command to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (v. 16) seems to be a tension between two different virtues. What does it mean in practice to demonstrate both shrewdness (wisdom) and purity (innocence) in a difficult or hostile environment?

7. The Spirit's Voice: When facing persecution and trial, Jesus promises, "it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (v. 20). How does this promise of the Holy Spirit's guidance change the way we approach opportunities to witness or speak about our faith under pressure?

8. Betrayal and Endurance: Jesus predicts that disciples will be betrayed even by family and hated by all for his name's sake (vv. 21-22). What does this reveal about the nature of following Christ, and what does it mean to "endure to the end" (v. 22)?

9. Servant and Master: Jesus reminds them, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master" (v. 24). As his followers, we should not expect to be treated better than Jesus was (v. 25). Is it good news? Why?