The names of the Gospels are named after their authors, but only Matthew and John were Jesus’ disciples. Matthew was originally a customs officer and John was one of Jesus’ closest friends and is also the author of 3 other letters in the Bible and the Book of Revelation.
Mark accompanied the apostle Peter, wrote down his sermon, and thus compiled the Gospel according to Mark. According to Hippolytus, he belonged to the ‘seventy disciples’ whom Jesus sent to spread the gospel. Mark’s mother was apparently an important figure in the early Christian circles of Jerusalem, because the apostle Peter stayed with her for some time.
According to Luke, the Gospel was compiled by Lukáš, a doctor by profession. He was a frequent companion of the apostle Paul, so he had his information directly from him.
So we can be sure that the events recorded in the Gospels are based either on the direct or indirect testimony of eyewitnesses.
Matthew 10
Jesus sends twelve disciples
1 Then Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power over the dark forces to expel and heal all the diseases of the body and spirit.
Commentary: Nowadays, Jesus even gave us more power.
In Ephesians 1:19-22 it is written: ‘After all, everything that belongs to God is also yours! And I am also asking you to see for yourself how incredibly great the power is that in you is. It is the same power that raised Christ from dead and raised him high above all kings and governments, commanders and dictators, to a place of honor at the right hand of God. …everything is subordinate to him!’
2 The names of the twelve whom he called his emissaries – the apostles are:
Simon, called Peter,
Ondřej – Peter’s brother,
James – son of Zebedee
And his brother John,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Tomas,
Matouš – former customs officer,
James – son of Alpha,
Tadea,
Simon Canaan
And Judas Iscariot, who finally betrayed him.
5 These twelve were sent by Jesus and gave them directions on his way: ‘Do not go among the Gentiles now and do not enter the Samarial cities. 6-7 Better go to those Israelites who have become alienated from God, and proclaim that the kingdom of God is already close. 8 Heal the sick, awaken the dead to life, cleanse the lepers, cast out the demons.What you received for free, give away free.
9 Don’t raise any money, 10 Don’t take luggage with spare clothes or shoes, or a stick for defense.
As a worker receives a wage, so those you serve should also take care of you….
Jesus prepares disciples for persecution
16 I am sending you like a sheep among the wolves. So be cautious as snakes and guileless as doves. 17 Watch out for the people, because they will hand you over to the judgments and whip you in the synagogues, 18 to drag you from the rulers and rulers for my sake. All this will be an opportunity for you to bear witness to them and the whole world.
Comment: So there is no need to worry if we also suffer some kind of persecution. In today’s culture and in the future of the end time, it can easily happen. – It’s an opportunity for us!
Let’s look at the example of the apostle Paul, who was under house arrest in Rome for two years. He was in prison and yet the letters he wrote make up much of the New Testament today. He was also in such a place where he could have an influence on the members of the imperial family!
19 When you are put on trial, do not worry about how and what you will speak, because you will be given the right words at the right time. 20 You will not speak it, but your Father’s spirit will speak through you. Comment: This is a wonderful promise for us too!
…29-30 What is the price of a sparrow? And yet not one will fall to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 31 So don’t worry – you are far more valuable than a whole flock of sparrows. Father cares about each of your hair.
32 Whoever confesses to me in front of people, I will also claim before my father in heaven. 33 But whoever denys me before men, I will renounce him before my heavenly Father. 34 Do not think that my coming will bring immediate peace to the world; My arrival will also cause struggle and violence. 35 Faith in me can divide the Son and the Father, the daughter and the mother, the daughter-in-law and the mother-in-law.
36 The misunderstanding and malice of one’s own family tends to be the most profound.
37 He who has a father or mother in his heart first, a son or a daughter, and not me, is not worthy of me. 38 Anyone who would like to follow me and not take on these difficulties like a cross is not worthy of me.
Comment: That’s a big challenge! But what is most important is our effort – that we want to have God in 1st place and that we do what we can, even if we don’t always achieve it.
39 He who clings to his life will lose it, but he who is willing to sacrifice everything for me will only gain the true life.
40 He who receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who has sent me.
41 If someone accepts my witness knowing that God is sending him, he will receive the same reward as him. He who takes the believer for his faith in me will receive the same reward as the believer.
42 And whoever would give, say, a glass of cold water to one of the tiny ones, because he is my disciple, he will certainly be rewarded.’
Comment: God always blesses when we give!
The Bible, the Gospel of Matthew with comments for better understanding and practical application.
SNC Bible Translation Online: https://www.bible.com/cs/bible/162/MAT.10.SNC
