Matthew 10:16-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Sent Forth as Sheep among Wolves

Matthew 10:16-23 – Sent Forth as Sheep among Wolves

|| Luke 10:3

MT10:16 “Look! I am sending you forth[1] as sheep[2] among wolves,[3] so be cautious as serpents[4] and innocent as doves.[5] MT10:17 Be alert among humans[6] for they will hand you over[7] to courts and in their synagogues[8] they will scourge[9] you. MT10:18 You will be brought before governors and kings as a testimony to them[10] as well as the Non-Jews. MT10:19 But, when they hand you over do not be overly concerned how or what you will say, for what you should speak[11] will be given to you in that hour. MT10:20 Because it is not you who speaks but your Father’s Pneuma[12] speaking in you. MT10:21 Even brother will betray brother[13] – and a father his child – to death. Children will take their stand against parents causing their deaths. MT10:22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name.[14] But, the one who endures completely[15] will be saved.[16] MT10:23 When they persecute you in this town, flee to another.[17] I tell you this truth: You will never complete the cities of Israel[18] before the Ascension[19] of the Son of Humankind.

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[1] Sending you forth: The Greek is APOSTELLO, a form of “apostle.” An apostle is a representative.

[2] Sheep: The Greek is PROBATA and occurs over 216 times in the whole Bible. Usually used as a metaphor for believers the word occurs: Matthew, 11; Mark, 2; Luke, 2; John, 20; and only five times in the rest of the Christian Bible. Sheep are not adversarial predators and are very gregarious as a flock. They are among the earliest animals named in the Bible (Genesis 24:35; 26:14). They are helpless without a shepherd and easy prey for enemies (Numbers 27:16, 17; Jeremiah 23:4; Ezekiel 34:5, 6, 8; Micah 5:8). It is a metaphor for those defenseless and innocent (2Samuel 24:17; Psalm 44:11, 22; 95:7; 119:176; Matthew 10:6, 16; John 21:16, 17; Romans 8:36). Note Luke 10:3 uses “lambs.”

[3] Wolves: The word group wolf/wolves occurs in Moses and the Prophets, all as pictured by Jesus. See Matthew 7:15 and John 10:2. (Genesis 49:27; Jeremiah 5:6; Ezekiel 22:27; Habakkuk 1:8; Zephaniah 3:3) Under the Messianic rule the wolf changes its disposition (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25) Paul predicts wolves will work their way into the Christian flock (Acts 20:29).

[4] Cautious as serpents: The idea finds its roots right at the beginning of human creation (Genesis 3:1).The serpent (snake) occurs over 70 times in the Bible. The phrase “cautious as serpents” is also rendered: KJV: wise as serpents; NASB: shrewd as. Though the Friend of the Nazarene is guileless in Christian character, Jesus counsels PHRONIMOI a wise caution when among the enemy.

[5] Innocent as doves: The gentle bird occurs 35 times in the Bible. The bird Noah sent forth from the Ark (Genesis 8:8-12). It is sometimes associated with being blameless or without flaw (Canticles 5:2, 12; 6:9). Hosea 7:11 associates the dove with a simple-minded heart without a motive. The bird occurs nine times in the Gospels (Matthew 3:16; 10:16; 21:12; Mark 1:10; 11:15; Luke 3:22; John 1:32; 2:14, 16). The word “innocent” is also rendered: KJV: harmless; MOF: guileless. The name of the prophet Jonah means “Dove.” (See also pidgin or turtledove). Compare Psalm 55:6; Isaiah 60:8.

[6] Be alert among humans: Others render this phrase: KJV: beware of men; TCNT: be on your guard; KNX: do not put your trust in men; RIEU: mankind. Giving this counsel, we must think that our Lord followed his own advice. Compare Philippians 3:2.

[7] Hand you over: Or, KJV: they will deliver you up; TCNT: betray you.

[8] Synagogues: Jesus is talking to Jewish disciples. What he says is not meant as specific directives for all future Friends of the Nazarene. Compare Jesus’ prediction at Mark 13:9 (Compare Matthew 23:34). Note the fulfillment at Acts 5:40.

[9] Scourge: Or, BECK: whip; WEY: flog (Acts 5:40ff).

[10] A testimony to them: See the Acts of the Apostles chapter 4, 5, 7 and others for the actual fulfillment.

[11] What you should speak: This is spoken to the apostles and may not necessarily be applied to all Christians. Note the cases of Peter (Acts 5), Stephen (Acts 7), and Paul (Acts 17), inspired speeches preserved in the Christian Bible.

[12] Your Father’s Pneuma: Or, the spirit of your Father. The Greek is PNEUMA which may also mean breath or wind. The Pneuma is God’s Mind exerting mental pressure to accomplish his will. So we find Peter, for example, speaking by the Pneuma (Acts 5:3, 4).

[13] Brother will betray brother: Compare Matthew 24:10.

[14] Hated by everyone because of my name: The name “Christian” in history becomes a terrible stigma leading to an enormous number of deaths. Note Jesus does not say His Father’s Name, Jehovah, but his own, “Jesus Christ.” WEY: objects of universal hatred; WMS: because you bear my name; NEB: for your allegiance to me.

[15] The one who endures completely: The Greek TELOS is without the article and thus “an end” with regard to each individual’s endurance, often in martyrdom. Compare Matthew 24:13. The word group “endurance” occurs over 30 times in the Christian Bible. Compare (Matthew 5:10-12; 10:16-22; 24:9, 10, 39; Mark 13:9, 12, 13; Luke 21:19; Romans 2:7; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 12:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:10-12; Hebrews 10:36; James 5:10, 11; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 14:12) The English word “endurance” is drawn from the root dru that is the oak tree and those “druids” as well as “trust.”

[16] Saved: There are two states in the procession of salvation: a) the initial by escape from the judgment on the world; and, b) the final by endurance unto death. See a concordance on the word group “save(d)” and “salvation.” It may be compared to being saved by a lifeguard which does not ensure a future drowning. Compare Matthew 19:25; 24:13, 22; Luke 8:2; John 3:17; 5:34; 10:9; Acts 2:40, 47; 4:12; 11:14; 15:11; 16:30, 31; Romans 5:9, 10; 8:24; 10:9.

[17] Flee to another: The Nazarene’s disciples are not to remain and battle with opposers but move into a more fruitful territory. This advice is seen in the Book of Acts (Acts 8:1, 2).

[18] Never complete the cities of Israel: Jesus has sent out his 12 apostles, and later the 70 disciples, and he tells them they will never preach to all the land of Israel before the fulfillment of Daniel 7:13.

[19] Before the Ascension: This rendering will receive considerable judgment. The Greek is ELTHE a word taken from Daniel 7:13 where the same phrase occurs in the Jewish Greek Septuagint (LXX). Judging from the context and reading of Daniel 7:13 the prophet sees the ascension of a human being to the very Throne-room of the Most High. The Greek word ELTHE and the related word ERCHOMENOM is generally rendered “coming.” However, the word also means “to go” or “leave.” The English word “ascend” means “to go up.” It has been generally misunderstood that this word infers a “coming” in the direction of those disciples on earth, when, in fact, it means the arrival in heaven to become King. Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1 are often combined by Jesus in a conflate or paraphrase. Compare Matthew 22:44; 26:64; Mark 14:62; 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33, 34; 5:31; 7:55-57; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Hebrews 10:12, 13. It is possible that Jesus actually used the Hebrew/Aramaic word athah which means to arrive and be present at a certain location.

 

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Preceding

Matthew 10:1-4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Twelve Given Authority

Matthew 10:1-4 – Calling of the apostles – by Calvin

Matthew 10:5-10 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus’ Orders: Territory, Theme, Trust

Matthew 10:11-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Searching for the Sheep

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Related

1. God’s People are His Flock
2. One Shepherd
3. A call to love Jesus is a call to love his people
4. Shepherding
5. Our Shepherd and God
6. Daily bible passage – 9/11/17
7. Jesus Christ Shepherds His Flock
8. John 10:16
9. Ekklesia
10. Hatred Against Christians in Light of Texas Church Shooting
11. The Man Who Likes To Lose …
12. Why So Much Hatred Against Christians in America Today
13. Why So Much Hatred Against Christians in America Today? 2
14. Why So Much Hatred Against Christians in America Today? (PNW)
15. Evangelicals Are Not Christians
16. Why (Fundamentalist) Christians Hate Atheists

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus Declared God’s Son at His Baptism

Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus Declared God’s Son at His Baptism

Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22; John 1:31-34

MT3:13 Then Jesus came to the Jordan from Galilee, approaching John to be baptized by him. MT3:14 But John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you and yet you come to me?” MT3:15 Jesus replied and said to him, “Let it be this time for in this way it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.”[1] Then John stopped resisting. MT3:16 Having been baptized, and rising from the water, immediately, look! the skies[2] were opened up. Jesus saw God’s Pneuma[3] descending as if a dove[4] lighting[5] upon him. MT3:17 Look! a Voice[6] out of the Sky, saying, “This is my beloved Son[7] in whom I am well pleased.”[8]

 

[1]Fulfill all righteousness: In order to “fulfill all righteousness” it is necessary to be baptized after our Lord’s example.

[2]Skies: Or, heavens. The Greek word OURANOI (heavens) is used in a variety of ways and judging from the context here where the dove flies down to light on Jesus it must be that atmosphere were birds fly (Genesis 1:7, 20).

[3]Pneuma: Or, spirit; breath; wind. The force or pressure which emanates from God’s Mind. This is the “anointing” of Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:16). Compare also Isaiah 11:1-3

[4]Dove: The bird Noah released from the Ark.

[5]Lighting: Or, ALF: coming; KNX: resting. Here the Greek ERKHOMENON means arrived.

[6]Voice: The first of three times the actual Voice of God is heard, each in the presence of Jesus. The same One who speaks at Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4. As God spoke to the first perfect man, Adam, He now speaks to this second Man.

[7]Son: We may suggest that the one here named Jesus becomes God’s “Son” in several ways: 1. Creation; 2. Birth as Perfect Man; 3.as spirit-begotten Child; 4. by resurrection; and, by enthronement in the heavens.

[8]Well pleased: The language is very similar to Isaiah 42:1.

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Francesco Albani’s The Baptism of Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was possible for all the people standing around John the Baptist and his cousin Jesus (Jeshua) to see two men of flesh and blood, standing in the water. Above them appeared a pigeon in an incredible light, like lightening. They also heard a Voice clearly saying “This is my beloved Son”. It can well be that many did not know Whose Voice it was and what it meant that Jesus was the son of the One speaking. In the Old Testament we are told that the Elohim Hashem Jehovah does not tell lies. therefore we should well take into account that God did not tell that it was Him having come down on the earth, but He said that it was His son.

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” (Matthew 3:17 NIV)

“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV)

“Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—and I will not lie to David—” (Psalms 89:35 NIV)

“He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.”” (1 Samuel 15:29 NIV)

“a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,” (Titus 1:2 NIV)

“God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.” (Hebrews 6:18 NIV)

In case Jesus would have been God those who saw him would have fallen death, because nobody can see God and live, according to the Word of God. Nobody can see God, but we can hear Him, and at the baptism of Christ Jesus they clearly heard what He said. are you willing to believe what God said and worship the real Only One God Who we must worship in spirit and truth?

“But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no-one may see me and live.”” (Exodus 33:20 NIV)

“And you said, “The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him.” (Deuteronomy 5:24 NIV)

“God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”” (John 4:24 NIV)

 

 

Preceding:

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:15-17 – The Baptisms of the One Coming

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:21-23 – The Baptism of Christ

 

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1. On the Nature of Christ
2. The Naturalness of Jesus
3. Anointing of Christ as Prophetic Rehearsal of the Burial rites
4. Church sent into the world
5. Only One God
6. God of gods
7. God is one
8. Attributes to God
9. Seeing or not seeing and willingness to find God
10. Christ begotten through the power of the Holy Spirit
11. Jesus begotten Son of God #6 Anointed Son of God, Adam and Abraham
12. Jesus begotten Son of God #11 Existence and Genesis Raising up
13. Jesus begotten Son of God #14 Beloved Preminent Son and Mediator originating in Mary
14. Jesus Messiah
15. Jesus and his God
16. The high calling of God in Christ Jesus
17. On the Nature of Christ
18. Servant of his Father
19. In the death of Christ, the son of God, is glorification
20. People Seeking for God 7 The Lord and lords
21. Being Religious and Spiritual 7 Transcendence to become one
22. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #14 Prayer #12 The other name
23. A Messiah to die
24. Jesus is the Son of God but Not God the Son

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Related articles

• Matthew 3:11-17, Mark 1:7-11, Luke 3:15-23a
• The Baptism of Jesus – Why?
• – The Baptism & Death of Jesus –
• Jesus’ Baptism and Ours: I should be baptized by you
• Lectionary blogging: Why was Jesus baptized?
• flow – let reality be reality
• Preparing Yourself for Water Baptism
• Doubts and Distractions Will Come
• Jesus Needs You!
• Immersion? Sprinkling? Why Water Baptism is One of the Greatest Misguided Truths in the Church

Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:21-24 – Presenting the Baby to God

Luke 2:21-24 – Presenting the Baby to God

LK2:21 Now when eight days[1] had passed it was time for the infant to be circumcised and then to be named “Jesus” just as the angel had stated before he was even conceived in the womb. LK2:22 So when the period of their purification[2] [Leviticus 12:2] was completed according to the Law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the LORD,[3] LK2:23 just as it has been written in YHWH’s law:[4] “Every male opening the womb will be called holy to the LORD.” [Exodus 13:2, 12,15] LK2:24 And so they offered a sacrifice according to what the Law of YHWH[5] states: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[6] [Leviticus 12:8]

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[1] Eight days: The time when a baby’s blood coagulation is at its highest during life time.

[2] The period of their purification: Seven days. [Leviticus 12:2]

[3] The Lord: TO KYRIO.

[4] YHWH’s law: a Hebraism. [Exodus 13:9; 2 Chronicles 17:9; 34:14]

[5] The Law of YHWH: A Hebraism occurring first at 2 Kings 10:31. [Psalm 1:2; 19:7; 119:1]

[6] Pigeons: Indicating the family was poor

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BS notes: the real name of Jesus was really: Jeshua, Yeshua, Jehoshua and not “Issou” or “Jesus” what means Hail Zeus.

The names Joshua and Jeshua in Hebrew writing with “taggim” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Find in Dutch:

1. Zeus een heerser van hemel en aarde
2. Heil tot de gezondene van God of Zeus (About the relation of the imposed name for the son of God early in our Common Era)
3. Yahushua, Yehoshua, Yeshua, Jehoshua of Jeshua
4. Heer, Yahuwah, Yeshua of Yahushua
5. Is Jezus of Yeshua de beloofde Verlosser, de Messias?
6. Een Messias om te Sterven

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Preceding articles:

Nazarene Commentary Luke 1:26-38 – Gabriel’s Appearance to Mary

Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:1-7 – A Firstborn’s Birth In Bethlehem

Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:8-14 – Angels and Shepherds in the Night

Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:15-20 – Shepherds Find the Infant Christ

Next: Nazarene Commentary Luke 2:25-35 – Simeon’s Blessing and Warning

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Additional reading:

1. Hanukkahgiving or Thanksgivvukah
2. The wrong hero
3. Spelling Yahshuah (יהשע) vs Hebrew using Yehoshuah (יהושע)
4. Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua
5. Jesus begotten Son of God #4 Promised Prophet and Saviour
6. About a man who changed history of humankind
7. Yeshua a man with a special personality
8. Jezus, Yeshua, Yahushua
9. Seeing Jesus
10. Christmas, Saturnalia and the birth of Jesus
11. Jesus begotten Son of God #1 Christmas and Christians
12. Jesus begotten Son of God #2 Christmas and pagan rites
13. Jesus begotten Son of God #3 Messiah or Anointed one
14. Jesus begotten Son of God #4 Promised Prophet and Saviour
15. Jesus begotten Son of God #9 Two millennia ago conceived or begotten
16. Jesus begotten Son of God #10 Coming down spirit or flesh seed of Eve
17. Deliverance and establishement of a theocracy
18. Ember and light the ransomed of Jehovah
19. The Acts Of The Sent Ones Chapter 1
20. Not all christians are followers of a Greco-Roman culture

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Please do find as well to read:

1. Will God’s People Be Stumbled By The Name Of Jehoshua?
2. Jesus – The Promised Messiah
3. Why can Jesus be translated to mean “hail Zeus”

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Related articles

• Question: If His Name Was Yeshua, Why Call Him Jesus? (spyghana.com)
  Some people claim that our Lord should not be referred to as “Jesus.” Instead, we should only use the name “Yeshua.” Some even go so far as to say that calling Him “Jesus” is blasphemous. Others go into great detail about how the name “Jesus” is unbiblical because the letterJis a modern invention and there was no letterJin Greek or Hebrew.Yeshuais the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is “Joshua.”Iesousis the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is “Jesus.” Thus, the names “Joshua” and “Jesus” are essentially the same; both are English pronunciations of the Hebrew and Greek names for our Lord. (For examples of how the two names are interchangeable, seeActs 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8 in the KJV. In both cases, the wordJesusrefers to the Old Testament character Joshua.) Changing the language of a word does not affect the meaning of the word
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  If a person speaks and reads English, it is acceptable for him to spell things in an English fashion. Spellings can change even within a language: Americans write “Savior,” while the British write “Saviour.” The addition of au(or its subtraction, depending on your point of view) has nothing to do with whom we’re talking about. Jesus is the Savior, and He is the Saviour.JesusandYeshuahandIesusare all referring to the same Person.
• Is the Name “Jesus” Anti-Semitic? (greenbaggins.wordpress.com)
  It has been argued by some people in the HRM that the English name “Jesus” is Anti-Semitic. I intend to show that this is false. It is not inherently any more Anti-Semitic than the name would be translated into any other language on the face of the earth. To illustrate the point, I will use a word completely on the opposite end of the spectrum of attractiveness: “nigger.” Some people, for instance, would probably call me racist even for bringing up this word. However, what if I used the word this way: “Anyone who uses the term ‘nigger’ today to describe an African-American is a racist.” I’m using the word, yes, but how am I using it? I am using the term to encourage people not to call African-Americans by that term, which they tend to find offensive. The word is not the same thing as how it is used, and it does not inherently convey a clear meaning all by itself. The word could be used in a racist way by one person and in a non-racist way by someone else.
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