Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

10:24 A disciple is not above his teacher. The ultimate goal of a disciple is to be like his master--a well-established belief in Judaism and the Greco-Roman world.

10:25 Beelzebul (cf. 12:24, 27) means "master of the house" and refers to Satan. The accusation that Jesus (the real "master of all") was really Satan is shockingly perverse; how much more, then, should Jesus' own disciples expect to be falsely accused and maligned.

10:27 proclaim on the housetops. Up to now Jesus has consistently called for secrecy (see note on 8:4), but the time is approaching when the secret will be proclaimed universally.

10:29 Sparrows were customarily thought of as the smallest of creatures, and the penny was one of the least valuable Roman coins (cf. 5:26). apart from your Father. God is sovereign over even the most insignificant events.

10:30-31 Fear not, therefore. Since the heavenly Father gives constant sovereign supervision even to seemingly insignificant creatures, surely he will also care for his disciples in their mission to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. more value. See note on 6:26.

10:32-33 everyone who acknowledges me before men. A Christian can easily avoid persecution by denying that he or she is Jesus' disciple. But the true disciple does not fear death (v. 28) and will publicly acknowledge and confess Jesus. whoever denies me. The eternal consequences for those who deny Christ, in fact, will be far worse than the persecution that they sought to avoid.

10:34-37 Sword is a metaphor for the inevitable separation between those who believe in Christ and those who do not, even within a family (i.e., faith in Christ may set a man against his father). Jesus' own family opposed him before they came to recognize his true identity (13:53-58; Mark 3:21; John 7:3-5). Thus, whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Jesus asked for unqualified allegiance, something even the most esteemed rabbi did not demand. The central point of Matt. 10:34-37 is that love of God and his kingdom must take precedence over every other human relationship.

10:38 take his cross (cf. 16:24). Crucifixion is a shocking metaphor for discipleship. A disciple must deny himself (die to self-will), take up his cross (embrace God's will, no matter the cost), and follow Christ.

10:40 Whoever receives you receives me. Christ's disciples bear his message and his authority (cf. v. 1), so to receive them is to receive Jesus.

10:41-42 prophet. One who speaks for God. will receive a prophet's reward. Will share in the reward God gives the prophet, for the helper also played a part in the prophet's work. righteous person. One who has the righteousness that comes from obeying Jesus. one of these little ones. That is, anyone in need, especially those of "little" standing, who may be overlooked as leaders focus on those more prominent in the community (cf. James 2:1-7).