HarperCollins Study Bible

by Harold W. Attridge

  9.28 Lord. See note on 7.21.

  9.29 Faith. See note on 8.10.

  9.30 See that no one knows. See note on 8.4.

  9.32–34 The author creates this miracle story; cf. 12.22–24; Mk 3.22; Lk 11.14–15.

  9.32 Mute. Demons were thought to attack specific parts of the body; see also 12.22–24.

  9.33 Crowds. See note on 4.25; see also 7.28; 9.8.

  9.34 Pharisees. See note on 3.7. Ruler of the demons, i.e., Satan, also called Beelzebul (see note on 4.1; 10.25; 12.24).

  9.35–38 Cf. Mk 6.6b, 34; Lk 8.1;10.2; Jn 4.35. See Gospel of Thomas 73.

  9.35 The author’s summary. See note on 4.23–25.

  9.36 Compassion. See 14.14; 15.32; 18.27; 20.34. Sheep without a shepherd. See 10.6; 15.24; 18.10–14; 26.31; Num 27.16–17; Isa 40.11; Ezek 34.1–6; Jud 11.19; Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Document (CD) 13.9.

  9.37 Cf. Lk 10.2. Harvest, a common image for the final end-time judgment (see 3.12; 13.30, 39; Rev 14.14–20; also 2 Esd 4.39; 2 Baruch 70.2). Laborers anticipates the mission charge to the disciples (10.5–42). See Jn 4.35; Gospel of Thomas 73.

  MATTHEW 10

  The Twelve Apostles

  1Then Jesusa summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;b 4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

  The Mission of the Twelve

  5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’c 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,d cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 9Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

  Coming Persecutions

  16“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

  24“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

  Whom to Fear

  26“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.e 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

  32“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

  Not Peace, but a Sword

  34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

  35For I have come to set a man against his father,

  and a daughter against her mother,

  and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

  36and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

  37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

  Rewards

  40“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

  next chapter

  * * *

  a Gk he

  b Other ancient authorities read Lebbaeus, or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus

  c Or is at hand

  d The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

  e Gk Gehenna

  10.1–11.1 The “Missionary Discourse,” the fourth of Jesus’ five great discourses (see Introduction), developing Mark with Q and M. The Twelve are commanded to follow Jesus’ way, that of the wandering beggar, preacher, and healer.

  10.1–4 Cf. Mk 6.7; 3.16–19; Lk 9.1; 6.13–16; see also Acts 1.13.

  10.1 Twelve symbolizes a new Israel (twelve tribes of Israel); see 19.28; Gen 35.22–26; 49.1–28; Josh 4.2–9. Authority, to carry out the same deeds as Jesus, their teacher, except teaching; see 4.23; 9.35; 23.8; cf. 28.20.

  10.2 Apostles, lit. “those sent out,” on a mission in the name of someone. See vv. 40–42; 28.16–20. Peter, the first recruited and most prominent in the Gospel (4.18;16.17–19; 17.24–27), always comes first in lists of the twelve disciples (Mk 3.16; Lk 6.14; Acts 1.13). Andrew, James, and John are always listed next (see 4.18–22).

  10.3 Philip. See Jn 1.43–51; 6.5; 12.20–22; 14.8. Thomas. See Jn 11.16; 14.5; 20.24–29; 21.2; Gospel of Thomas incipit. Matthew. See note on 9.9. James son of Alphaeus. Cf. Mk 2.14.

  10.4 The Cananaean, probably from the Aramaic qan’an, “the zealot” (see Lk 6.15, “who was called the Zealot” cf. Gal 1.14), and thus possibly a (former?) rebel (see 1 Macc 2.54; Josephus, War 2.651; 4.158–61). Iscariot, meaning uncertain, perhaps “from Kerioth” (southern Judea) or derived from the Latin sicarius (“dagger man,” i.e., assassin); see notes on 26.55; 27.38. Who betrayed him, or “who handed him over,” a prominent theme of the passion narrative in Mark (Mk 3.19; 9.31; 10.33; 14.21; 15.1; cf. Mt 17.22; 20.18; 26.2, 14–16, 24, 47–56); cf. also Acts 1.15–26.

  10.5–15 Cf. Mk 6.8–11; Lk 9.2–5.

  10.5 Go nowhere among the Gentiles. Cf. 8.5–13; 15.21–28;28.19; see also notes on 1.1; 1.2–6a; 3.9. Jews avoided Samaritans, whom they regarded with animosity (see Jn 4.9; 8.48).

  10.6 To the lost sheep of the house of Israel. See note on 15.24; see also 9.36; 18.12–14.

  10.7 The kingdom of heaven has come near. See 3.2; 4.17.

  10.8 Cure the sick…cast out demons. See 4.23–24;11.5; 15.30–31.

 
10.9–15 Perhaps part of an early missionary “handbook.” Cf. Mk 6.8–11; Lk 9.3–5.

  10.9 No gold, or silver, or copper. The ideal of voluntary poverty is similar to that of the wandering Cynic philosophers but is rooted in the ethos of 6.25–34; see Gospel of Thomas 14; Didache 11–13; 1 Tim 5.18. For the usual social ranking in the Roman Empire, see Introduction.

  10.10 No bag. Wandering Cynic philosopher-preachers carried a begging bag to symbolize their self-sufficiency. Or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff. Josephus (War 2.125–26), says traveling Essenes did not replace clothing or sandals until they were worn out, but carried something (perhaps a staff) to ward off robbers. Laborers deserve their food, a missionary principle; see 1 Cor 9.3–18; Didache 13. Paul received support from the Philippians (Phil 4.14–20) but normally supported himself with his trade, for which he received criticism from rival missionaries; cf. 2 Cor 12.13–16.

  10.12 In the author’s day the house would have included the house church, where the faithful met to worship and socialize; cf., e.g., 1 Cor 16.15, 19.

  10.13 A typical greeting was “Peace (Hebrew shalom) to this house” see also Isa 52.7.

  10.14 Welcome. See vv. 40–42;18.5. Shake off the dust from your feet, a strong gesture of rejection; see Acts 13.51; 18.6.

  10.15 Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18. Sodom and Gomorrah, proverbially wicked cities destroyed by judgment fire; see 11.24; Gen 19.1–28; Ezek 16.46–50; 2 Pet 2.6; Jude 7.

  10.16–25 Cf. Mk 13.9–13; Lk 12.11–12; 6.40; 21.12–19. As the teacher will be persecuted, so will his followers.

  10.16 See Gospel of Thomas 39.

  10.17 Councils, probably local Israelite courts, not the supreme Jerusalem council (cf. 5.22; 26.59). Flog. See Deut 25.1–3; see also Mt 20.19; 23.34; 27.26; 2 Cor 11.23–24. Their synagogues. See note on 4.23.

  10.18 Before governors. See 27.11–14.

  10.19 Do not worry. See 6.25–34. What you are to say. See Ex 4.10–17; Jer 1.6–10.

  10.20 The Spirit…speaking through you. See Jn 14.26; 1 Cor 2.4; Phil 1.19.

  10.21 See vv. 34–37.

  10.22 Hated…because of my name. See 5.10–12. Endures to the end, i.e., until the end of the age; see v. 23; 24.13; 28.20.

  10.23 Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18. Son of Man. See note on 8.20.

  10.24 See Jn 13.16; 15.20.

  10.25 Beelzebul, the prince of demons (i.e., Satan); see 9.34; 12.24. How much more. See note on 6.26.

  10.26–33 Cf. Mk 4.22; Lk 12.2–9; 8.17.

  10.26–27 See Gospel of Thomas 5; 6; 33; see also Mt 5.14–16; 1 Cor 4.5.

  10.28 Soul, the true self. The one who can destroy both soul and body is God. Hell. See note on 5.22.

  10.29–31 See 6.26; Ps 84.3. Two. See note on 4.18–22.

  10.32–33 A direct correlation of present behavior with future judgment; see note on 5.19; see also Ps 62.12; Prov 24.12; Rom 2.6.

  10.33 Denies me before others, like Peter; see 26.70; but cf. 28.16–20.

  10.34–39 Cf. Mk 8.34–35; Lk 12.51–53;14.26–27; 17.33.

  10.34–36 See Gospel of Thomas 16.

  10.34 Not…peace, but a sword, “cutting” old family ties; see vv. 35–36.

  10.35–36 An allusion to Mic 7.6.

  10.37–39 See 16.24–25; Mk. 8.34–35; Lk 14.26–27. Gospel of Thomas 55; 101.

  10.38 Take up the cross, literally in 27.32; here, figuratively in self-denying discipleship. Follow me. See notes on 4.19; 5.1.

  10.39 Life, lit. “soul,” the center of life or self. A paradox: giving up physical or material life for the sake of the Messiah leads to true life (see 16.26).

  10.40–42 Cf. Mk 9.37, 41; Lk 10.16; Jn 12.44; 13.20; see Didache 11.7–11.

  10.40 Welcomes, shows hospitality (see vv. 11–14).

  10.41 Prophet, i.e., a wandering prophet (see also 7.15–20; 13.17, 57; 21.11; 23.29–39; Didache 11–13). A prophet’s reward, perhaps defined in v. 32. Righteous person. See note on 1.19; see also 13.17, 43, 49; 23.29; cf. 23.28. The reward of the righteous. See 13.43; 25.34–46.

  10.42 Little ones, usually children (see 18.1–4;19.13–15), but here probably adult missionaries (see note on 18.6). Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18.

  MATTHEW 11

  1Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

  Messengers from John the Baptist

  2When John heard in prison what the Messiaha was doing, he sent word by hisb disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepersc are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

  Jesus Praises John the Baptist

  7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someoned dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet?e Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,

  ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

  who will prepare your way before you.’

  11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,f and the violent take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; 14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15Let anyone with earsg listen!

  16“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,

  17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

  we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

  18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’ 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”h

  Woes to Unrepentant Cities

  20Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Capernaum,

  will you be exalted to heaven?

  No, you will be brought down to Hades.

  For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”

  Jesus Thanks His Father

  25At that time Jesus said, “I thanki you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.j 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

  28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

  * * *

  a Or the Christ

  b Other ancient authorities read two of his

  c The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases

  d Or Why then did you go out? To see someone

  e Other ancient authorities read Why then did you go out? To see a pr
ophet?

  f Or has been coming violently

  g Other ancient authorities add to hear

  h Other ancient authorities read children

  i Or praise

  j Or for so it was well-pleasing in your sight

  11.1 When Jesus had finished, a formulaic ending; see notes on 7.28; 10.1–11.1; Introduction. Twelve. See note on 10.1.

  11.2–12.50 Drawing on Q and Mark (see Introduction), the author portrays Jesus as the healing Messiah, Servant, and Son of Man, who continues his mission to Israel even as the opposition of Israelite leaders intensifies.

  11.2–6 Cf. Lk 7.18–23.

  11.2 In prison. See 14.1–3. What the Messiah was doing, lit. “the deeds of the Messiah,” i.e., the healing miracles in chs. 8–9; see note on 11.5. His, John’s; see 14.12.

  11.3 The one who is to come, the Messiah; see 3.11; 21.5, 9.

  11.5 The deeds of chs. 8–9 are summarized in language from Isa 35.5–6; see also Isa 26.19; 29.18; 42.7, 18; 61.1. Elijah and Elisha performed similar healings; see 1 Kings 17.17–24; 2 Kings 5.1–14. The poor. See 5.3. Good news. See note on 4.23.

  11.6 Blessed. See note on 5.3. Anyone who takes no offense at me. Cf. 15.12; see note on 13.21.

  11.7–19 Cf. Lk 7.24–35; 16.16. John is identified as the expected Elijah; see notes on 3.4; 4.2; 4.11.

  11.7–8. Wilderness. See 3.1. Soft robes. Cf. 3.4. Royal palaces, perhaps an allusion to Herod Antipas, who placed the image of a reed on his coins; see 14.1–12; note on 2.22; Gospel of Thomas 78.

  11.9 Prophet, a title that can be given to miracle workers (like Elijah; Mal 4.5; note on 3.4); lawgivers (like Moses; Deut 18.15–18); classical prophets, who had visions, spoke oracles, and pronounced judgment; and popular “charismatics” (see note on Acts 5.36).