Matthew 10:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

NIV: If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.

NASB: If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

CSB: and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it; but if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you.

NLT: If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing.

KJV: And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

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

The Twelve, Jesus' core disciples, have been sent out in pairs into the region of Galilee. They will travel from town to town preaching the good news that the kingdom of heaven in near in the person of Jesus: He is the Messiah. To back this up, they will heal diseases and cast out demons as He has done. They will be His representatives to the people of Israel (Matthew 10:5–10).

Jesus has told them to find someone worthy when they come into a town or village and to stay with that person (Matthew 10:11–12). Hospitality was a high cultural value at this time and in this part of the world. Most people felt obligated to welcome those in need of a place to stay into their homes. Jesus, though, is telling the disciples that they are the ones who will be giving the greater gift by allowing others to host them.

By worthy, Jesus means those who receive the message of the disciples about the coming of the kingdom of heaven. In receiving Jesus' representatives, they will be receiving Jesus (Matthew 10:14).

Now Jesus tells the disciples to let their peace be upon the house if it is worthy. Otherwise, they must let that peace return to them and move on. Jesus had given to these apostles the authority to heal and to cast out demons. Now we see they also have the authority to place His peace upon a place and to remove it. In a chaotic world, the Son of God carried the peace of heaven with Him. Those who hosted His "sent ones" would enjoy that peace during their stay.

Matthew 10:5–15 contains Jesus' instructions for His twelve apostles, for their missionary trip to the towns of Galilee, in northern Israel. Their mission will be to preach His message that the kingdom of heaven is near, while also healing people and casting out demons. The apostles must not take with them extra money or clothes. Instead, they will stay with those who are worthy in each town they visit. If nobody in a town believes their message, the disciples are to shake the dust of that town from their feet. Jesus will follow these instructions with a series of warnings and encouragements.

Jesus gives His authority over disease, demons, and even death to His twelve hand-picked apostles. He gives them instructions in preparation both for a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee and their ministry after He has left the earth. First, they will preach His message of the kingdom in Israelite towns as they heal and cast out demons to demonstrate His power. Later, they will suffer great persecution as they represent Him before both Jews and Gentiles. They should not be afraid, though, and trust their Father to be with them and to reward them.

Jesus has recently expressed compassion for the people of Israel, who are spiritually lost. Matthew 10 is a record of Jesus' instructions to His twelve core apostles, as He sends them on a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee. He also includes warnings and encouragements about the persecution they will eventually experience. In chapter 11, Jesus will continue to proclaim truth to the people of Israel, leading to further conflict with local religious leaders.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.