The man of St Matthew

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Mission of the Twelve: Mt 10,5-15

Verses 5-6 set the scene for the first part of the discourse. Note the specific audience in verse 5 and the echo of verse 2.
For the limits on the mission in verses 5 and 6, see the contrast with the ending of the Gospel, 28,19. Why is there a limitation here? See also 15,24.
Sheep reappear in verse 6, look back to 9,36 and the references there. Look also at Jer 50,6.

Note that verses 7 and 8 mirror the presentation of Jesus in chapters 5 to 9. Specifically, verse 7 recalls Jesus' own proclamation, 4,17

Verse 8a is special to Matthew. The four commands correspond to Jesus' actions in chapter 8 and 9. Make a list of the appropriate references. Look at 2 Kings 5,15-16. 1 Cor 9,14 gives a Christian perspective.

What is the effect of verses 8b to 10a. How has Matthew added to Mark 6,8-9?
Verse 10b then gives the explanation.

Consider how verses 11 to 14 then treat of the reception or rejection of the apostles and their response.

Verses 12 & 13: peace, in Hebrew shalom with a deeper sense than our word. A sense of wholeness, harmony, would be included. What is the active nature of this peace? Is 52,7 gives a background.

"Shaking dust from the feet" see Acts 13,51 for this being fulfilled.

Verse 15 ends this commissioning with a solemn statement about the judgement day. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is found in Genesis 19; it would be good to look at it, especially if you not read it for a long time. The reputation of these cities as places of judgement is found in a number of places, see Isaiah 1,9 or Amos 4,11. Jude 7 is a good NT example.

Now go to my response.

We now continue our reading with the second part of the discourse, 10,16-23.