The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 10:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Parallel passages: Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1. The prayer (Matthew 9:38) is answered in the persons of those who were taught to pray. Christ establishes his new agency. And when he had called unto him. From the circle of the bystanders.

His twelve disciples. Who had already been chosen to be specially with him (cf. Matthew 9:35, note; and Matthew 5:1). Twelve. To be heads of the tribes of the new Israel (Revelation 21:14; cf. James 1:1; Matthew 19:28).

Observe that the office of the tribes of the covenant nation corresponded to the symbolism of the number 12 (3, Deity, x 4, world = Church). He gave them power; authority (Revised Version); ἐξουσίαν: the greater including the less.

So Mark, but Luke expands to δύναμιν καὶ ἐξουσίαν. Against; over (Revised Version); simple genitive. Unclean spirits (Matthew 4:24. note). Unclean. As belonging to the unholy, non-theocratic kingdom, the realm of darkness.

"Hence also unclean animals (Matthew 8:31, sqq.; Revelation 18:2) and places (Matthew 12:43, sqq.) have a kind of natural relationship with such spirits" (Kubel). To cast them out. Their authority was to ex-send to this.

And to heal. Probably connected, not with ὥστε, but with ἐξουσίαν (cf. Luke). Observe that nothing is said of their receiving authority to convert. This God himself keeps. But they can remove all hindrances other than those purely subjective and spiritual, whether the objective hindrances be intruding evil spirits affecting body and mind or only bodily diseases.

All manner, etc. (Matthew 9:35, note).

More for Matthew 10:1

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryMatthew Henry on Matthew 10:1-4The word “apostle” signifies messenger; they were Christ's messengers, sent forth to proclaim his kingdom. Christ gave them power to heal all manner of sickness. In the grace of the gospel there is a slave for every sor…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Apostles Sent ForthTHE APOSTLES SENT FORTH. Here we are told, I. Who they were that Christ ordained to be his apostles or ambassadors; they were his disciples, Matthew 10:1. He had called them some time before to be disciples, his immedia…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 10:1-4The mission of the twelve. I. THE CALL. 1. The number, lie called unto him his twelve disciples. He had many more. He called these twelve. There seems to be a symbolical meaning in the number. We see plainly in the Book…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 10:1-42The "commanding" of the twelve. This was a grand historic occasion indeed. The honoured but ever-comparatively feeble and now dimmed, dying, or dead schools of the prophets are to be succeeded by a scion of Christianity…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 10:1The power to impart power. "He gave them power." It does not strike us as remarkable that, being what Jesus was, he should have power over sickness, disease, disability, and even death. But it certainly is unusual, rema…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 10:1-42EXPOSITION For introductory notes to this chapter, see Matthew 9:35.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 10:1The twelve apostles. The commission of the twelve follows immediately on the expression of our Lord's compassion for the forlorn flock without a shepherd, and his more cheering view of the multitude as a ripe harvest-fi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors