What is happening when Jesus sends out the twelve apostles?

In this passage Jesus moves His twelve disciples from learning to active service. He calls them to Himself and gives them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal every kind of sickness and disease. Then He sends them out as apostles, which means “sent ones.” Their first mission is limited to the people of Israel, described as the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They are to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand and confirm that message through miracles of healing and deliverance, traveling simply and trusting God to care for them.

Why did Jesus tell the apostles to go only to Israel and not to Gentiles?

Jesus tells the twelve not to go in the way of the Gentiles or enter Samaritan cities, but to go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This shows that, at this stage, God’s plan was that the good news should first be announced to His covenant people. The number twelve already hints at a link with the twelve tribes. This early mission is like a wake‑up call to Israel that God’s kingdom is near. Later, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the message will spread out to all nations, but here the focus is first on Israel.

What does the phrase “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” mean here?

When Jesus tells the apostles to preach, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” He is saying that God’s saving rule has drawn near in a new way. God is acting through Jesus to conquer the devil and to heal what sin has damaged. The miracles the apostles perform are signs that this kingdom is not just talk. Sick people are healed, demons are cast out, even the dead are raised, showing that God’s power over evil and death is present. The kingdom is near in the sense that God’s promised rule is beginning to break into this world through Jesus and His messengers.

What does “freely you have received, freely give” mean in this passage?

Jesus reminds the apostles that every gift they have comes from Him. Their authority over demons, their power to heal, and the message of the kingdom were given to them freely, not earned. So they must not turn these gifts into a way to enrich themselves or to seek personal gain. Instead, they are to serve others generously, sharing what God has given without demanding payment for the blessings that come through their ministry. This sets the pattern that those who speak and serve in Jesus’ name are channels of grace, not sellers of spiritual goods.

Why does Jesus tell the apostles to travel without money or extra supplies?

Jesus commands them not to take gold, silver, or copper, no bag for the journey, and not even extra clothes or extra shoes. This is for this specific mission and teaches them to rely on God’s care as they go. They are to learn that the worker is worthy of his food, meaning that God will provide for them through the hospitality of those who receive the message. Traveling light also keeps them from being weighed down by worries about material things, so they can focus on preaching, healing, and serving in simple trust.

What does it mean to let your peace come upon a house or return to you?

When the apostles enter a town they are to find a worthy person and stay there. As they enter a house, they are to greet it with peace, which in this setting means asking God’s blessing and well‑being for that home. If the house is worthy, that is, if it receives them and their message, that peace remains there as a real blessing from God. If the house is not worthy and rejects them, Jesus says their peace will return to them. The idea is that God’s offered blessing is not lost, but the rejecting house does not share in it.

What does it mean when Jesus says to shake off the dust from your feet?

Shaking the dust from their feet is a symbolic act Jesus gives the apostles for when a house or city will not receive them or listen to their words. In that culture, it pictured separating from a place that would not accept God’s message. It is like saying, “We have done our part; your response is now between you and God.” Jesus adds that it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha on the day of judgment than for a city that rejects the gospel, showing how serious it is to refuse the message of the kingdom.

Why does Jesus compare rejecting the apostles to Sodom and Gomorrha?

Sodom and Gomorrha were known for great wickedness and for the severe judgment that fell on them. When Jesus says it will be more tolerable for those cities on the day of judgment than for a city that rejects the apostles, He is stressing the weight of rejecting the gospel. The apostles come with clear signs of God’s power and a message of mercy. To turn away from that is to turn away from God’s own offer of rescue. This comparison shows that refusal of the good news is not a small thing, but brings heavier judgment than even well‑known sins of the past.

What do the miracles in this passage show about Jesus’ authority?

Jesus gives the apostles power over unclean spirits and over every kind of sickness and disease. They are to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. These are not party tricks, but signs that back up the message they preach. The miracles show that Jesus has authority over evil spirits, over sickness, and even over death, and that He can share this authority with those He sends. This helps people see that the word about the kingdom of heaven is not empty talk, but carries God’s own power behind it.

How can this passage about the twelve apostles guide Christians today?

This passage describes a unique mission, but it still teaches patterns that matter now. It shows that Jesus calls and prepares His people before sending them out. He gives real authority and gifts for the work He asks them to do. It shows the importance of focusing on those God has placed in front of us, speaking clearly about God’s kingdom, and serving others without greed. It also reminds believers to travel lightly in heart, to trust God’s care, to bless those who welcome the message, and to understand that rejecting the gospel is a serious thing in God’s sight.

Matt.10.1

Matthew 10:1

KJV

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.

The Twelve Apostles

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.

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

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:

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

And when ye come into an house, salute it.

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

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.