Matthew 10:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,

NIV: These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

NASB: These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, 'Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans;

CSB: Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: "Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town.

NLT: Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: 'Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans,

KJV: 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:

NKJV: These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.

Jesus begins to give to His twelve apostles (Matthew 10:1–4) very specific instructions about the what, where, why, and how He is sending them out. His first direction is simple: they are not to take this message to Gentiles or Samaritans. That restriction only applies to this particular mission; later, Jesus will send His apostles out to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8).

Christ was sending the Twelve out into the towns and cities of Galilee in northern Israel. Galilee was surrounded by Gentile territories. These were largely pagan in their belief systems, worshipping idols and false gods. Jesus' first mission was to call Israel to repentance and faith in Himself (Matthew 15:24). Only after His death and resurrection would the disciples begin to preach to the Gentiles, as well.

Jesus also told the disciples to stay out of the Samaritan towns to the south. The Samaritans were a mixed-race people after intermarrying with Gentiles following the Assyrian invasion in 722 B.C. Intermarriage was forbidden by the law of Moses. In addition, the Samaritans had changed some specific parts of the Law, including where God should be worshiped (John 4:20). Jesus would later introduce the gospel to the Samaritans through the woman at the well (John 4:1–42), but He was sending His disciples only to the people of Israel.

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.