Matthew 10

Jesus gives power to the Twelve

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Matthew 10:1

Jesus gives His own power and authority to the Twelve. Priesthood authority to bless others always comes from Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 3:13-15 — Mark's account of ordaining the Twelve.
• a parallel account in Luke 9:1 — Luke's account of giving the Twelve power and authority.

Betrayed by one of His own

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Matthew 10:4

Even as the Twelve are named, Matthew notes that one of them would betray Jesus. Jesus chose him anyway, knowing the suffering ahead.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 41:9 — Mine own familiar friend, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
• the same event in Matthew 26:14-16 — Judas agrees to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver.

Jesus sends the Twelve

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: Matthew 10:5–8

Jesus sends His apostles to the lost sheep of Israel to preach and heal. Everything they have came freely from Him, so they must give it freely.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 6:7-13 — Mark's account of sending the Twelve two by two.
• a parallel account in Luke 9:2-6 — Luke's account of the same mission.

Christ the Judge

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Matthew 10:9–15

Jesus teaches His missionaries to trust God for their needs. Rejecting His messengers is serious, and He speaks with authority about the day of judgment.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by D&C 75:20-22 — The Lord repeats to latter-day missionaries: shake off the dust; more tolerable for the heathen in the day of judgment.

Sent as sheep among wolves

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16–20

Jesus warns that His servants will face persecution for His sake. He promises that the Spirit of the Father will give them words when they need them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by D&C 84:85 — The Lord promises latter-day servants it shall be given them in the very hour what they should say.

Hated for His name

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Matthew 10:22

Disciples who carry Jesus' name will be hated for it. Those who endure to the end with His name will be saved.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Mosiah 5:8 — Take upon you the name of Christ.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:20 — Endure to the end ... ye shall have eternal life.

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Matthew 10:23

Jesus speaks of His own coming as the Son of Man. The work of carrying the gospel will still be going on when He comes.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — The name of the Only Begotten is the Son of Man.
• alludes to Daniel 7:13 — One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven.

Master of the house

Master — Teacher and Lord of the household

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. Matthew 10:24–25

Jesus is the Master and Lord of the household of faith. If His enemies insulted Him, His followers should expect the same.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 9:34 — The Pharisees said He cast out devils through the prince of the devils.
• the same title in John 13:13 — 'Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.'

Fear not — the Father knows you

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Matthew 10:26–31

Jesus tells His disciples to boldly share what He teaches them. The Father who notices every sparrow knows and values each of them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Luke 12:2-7 — Luke's account of the same teachings.

Advocate with the Father

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32–33

Jesus promises to speak for those who stand up for Him. He is our Advocate who pleads our cause before the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in D&C 45:3-5 — Christ, the advocate with the Father, pleads for those who believe on His name.
• the same title in 1 John 2:1 — We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
• a parallel account in Luke 12:8-9 — Luke's account of the same promise.

Loyalty to Christ first

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34–37

Following Jesus may divide even families, as Micah foresaw. Jesus asks for a love greater than love for parents or children — something only God can rightly ask.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Micah 7:6 — The daughter riseth up against her mother ... a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
• a parallel account in Luke 12:51-53 — Luke's account of the division He brings.

Take up the cross

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38–39

This is the first mention of a cross in Matthew. Jesus asks disciples to carry theirs and follow Him, quietly pointing to the cross He Himself would carry and the life He would lose and take again.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Matthew 16:24-25 — He repeats the call to take up the cross after foretelling His death.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 12:30 — The Nephite sermon: deny yourselves ... and take up your cross.

Sent by the Father

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. Matthew 10:40–42

Jesus was sent by the Father, and He sends His servants. Receiving them is receiving Him, and receiving Him is receiving the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by D&C 84:36-37 — He that receiveth my servants receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father.
• the same title in John 13:20 — He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.