Matthew 10:24-31 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Do Not Fear – Preach!

Matthew 10:24-31 – Do Not Fear – Preach!

|| Mark 4:22; Luke 12:2-9

MT10:24 “A disciple[1] is not above the teacher nor a slave above his Master. MT10:25 It is satisfactory if the disciple becomes like his teacher,[2] and the slave like his Master. If they call the lord of the house ‘Beelzebul,’[3] how much more those of the household. MT10:26 So, you should not fear them.[4] For there is nothing concealed[5] which will not be revealed,[6] and nothing hidden[7] which will not become known. MT10:27 What I tell you in the dark, tell in the light; and, what your ear hears, preach on the housetops.[8] MT10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul.[9] Rather, continue to fear the One capable of destroying[10] both soul and body in Gehenna.[11] MT10:29 Are not two sparrows[12] sold for an assarion?[13] And not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s [awareness].[14] MT10:30 The very hairs of your head are numbered.[15] MT10:31 So, do not be afraid. You differ [greatly] from many sparrows.[16]

[1] Disciple: The Greek is MATHETES from which the English “mathematics” comes. Though “disciple” is related to “discipline” or that great effort to learn math. The word “Disciple” occurs 76 times in Matthew, 46 times in Mark, 38 times in Luke, 79 times in John, and 30 times in Acts. The word occurs nowhere else in the Christian Bible. No woman is ever called a “disciple” until Tabitha (Dorcas).

[2] Disciple becomes like his teacher: Jesus’ main point is that the disciples can expect to be condemned and spoken against during their work. This should not surprise them because the same is happening to their Teacher. They become like their Teacher in sharing his abuse and reproach.

[3] Beelzebul: Possibly a cryptic name for Satan meaning “Lord (owner) of Dung” or “Lord (owner) of Flies.” The contemptuous designation occurs as an accusation against the Nazarene at Matthew 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15, 18. Compare 2 Kings 1:2.

[4] Not fear them: Courage is an absolutely necessity for a disciple of the Nazarene. Jesus knows that some households and some towns will not accept or receive the disciples well. He knows they are likely to call his apostles names. Note what he had told them in his Mountain Teachings (Matthew 5:10-12). Fear is a tool of the Devil.

[5] Concealed: Those who speak evil against the disciples will be exposed in the Judgment (Matthew 12:36). Secret slander will finally be revealed.

[6] Revealed: The Greek is APOKALYPSTHESETAI. Compare Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; 1 Corinthians 4:5; John 3:19-21. Imagine the evil talk which has gone on throughout the centuries as inquisitors plotted to entrap or accuse innocent Christians?

[7] Hidden: The Greek is CRYPTON. PME: nor any thing private which will not be made public.

[8] Tell in the light; and, what your ear hears, preach on the housetops: Jesus often spoke to his disciples in private (Matthew 17:19; 20:17; 24:3; Mark 4:34; 6:31; 7:33; 9:28; 13:3). He wants his disciples to preach these things. Compare Luke 12:3. NEB: you must repeat in broad daylight; BAS: what comes to your ear secretly; MOF: what you hear in a whisper.

[9] Are unable to kill the soul: This verse is viewed by some to prove the soul is immortal and continues to exist after death. Jesus possibly has in mind the future life as a spirit person. He is saying: while your persecutors may kill you physically, they cannot destroy your True Life. Compare Luke 12:4; 21:19. The Greek for soul here is PSYCHEN and between the Jewish Greek Bible (LXX) and the Christian Bible occurs about 1,000 times. Of these over 100 state the soul is mortal and destructible. Not once is the soul ever stated to be immortal as in the Platonic idea. See commentaries and dictionaries under “soul.”

[10] The One capable of destroying: That is The God. Note that Jesus says the soul is mortal and destructible.

[11] Gehenna: Some render the Greek GEHENNE as hell (KJV), the pit (GDSP), the fires of destruction (PME). See notes on Matthew 5:22. Gehenna is a symbol of eternal destruction and called “Second Death” in Revelation 20:14, 15.

[12] Sparrows: On another occasion Jesus uses five sparrows. The Greek allows for any small bird. Such birds were sold for a penny, roasted over a spit (Light From the Ancient East, by A. Deissmann, 1965, pp. 273, 274).

[13] Assarion: A Roman coin about a half-penny. The widow’s LEPTON was ten times less. One-sixteenth of a denarius. KJV: a farthing; ASV: a penny.

[14] Father’s [awareness]: The literal Greek is not one falls without your Father. TCNT: without your Father’s knowledge; BECK: with your Father’s permission. Jesus teaches how sensitive and aware the Life Source of the Universe is. Some Christians loose every bit of self-worth or self-esteem. This thought ought to encourage any that just as God notes the birds, He is well aware of our own plights. Compare 1 Peter 5:7.

[15] Hairs of your head are numbered: Compare Luke 12:7. Or, KNX: he takes every hair of your head into his reckoning. Some estimate the average head of hair to include about 100,000. The hair of the head is used metamorphicly in the Bible (1 Samuel 14:45; 2 Samuel 14:11; 1 Kings 1:52; Psalm 40:12; 69:4; Luke 21:18; Acts 27:34).

[16] You differ [greatly] from many sparrows: KJV: you are of more value than many sparrows; WEY: you are more precious than a multitude of sparrows

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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

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

Be strong

Sharing the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge

33 O the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and beyond tracing out his ways are!

33 O the depth of God’s riches+ and wisdom+ and knowledge!+ How unsearchable his judgments+ [are] and past tracing out his ways [are]!

depth of God’s riches:

• Romans 2:4: 4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness+ and forbearance+ and long-suffering,+ because you do not know that the kindly [quality] of God is trying to lead you to repentance?*+

• Romans 9:23: 23 in order that he might make known the riches+ of his glory upon vessels+ of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,+
• Colossians 1:27:27 to whom God has been pleased to make known what are the glorious riches+ of this sacred secret+ among the nations. It is Christ+ in union with YOU, the hope of [his]* glory.+
• Ephesians 3:8: 8 To me, a man less than the least+ of all holy ones, this undeserved kindness+ was given, that I should declare to the nations+ the good news about the unfathomable riches+ of the Christ
  

depth of God’s wisdom:

• Proverbs 2:6: 6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom;+ out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment.+
• Proverbs 3:19: 19 Jehovah himself in wisdom founded the earth.+ He solidly fixed the heavens in discernment.+ 
• Exodus 31:3: 3 And I shall fill him with the spirit of God in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in every kind of craftsmanship,+ 
• 1 Kings 4:29: 29 And God* continued giving Solʹo·mon wisdom+ and understanding*+ in very great measure and a broadness of heart,+ like the sand that is upon the seashore.+ 
• James 3:17: 17 But the wisdom+ from above is first of all chaste,+ then peaceable,+ reasonable,*+ ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits,+ not making partial distinctions,+ not hypocritical.+

• 1 Corinthians 2:6: 6 Now we speak wisdom among those who are mature,*+ but not the wisdom+ of this system of things nor that of the rulers of this system of things,*+ who are to come to nothing.+

depth of God’s knowledge:

• Psalm 139:6: 6 [Such] knowledge is too wonderful for me.+ It is so high up that I cannot attain to it.+
• Job 42:3: 3 ‘Who is this that is obscuring counsel without knowledge?’+ Therefore I talked, but I was not understanding Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.+
• Psalm 40:5: 5 Many things you yourself have done,+ O Jehovah my God, even your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us;+ There is none to be compared to you.+ Were I inclined to tell and speak [of them], They have become more numerous than I can recount.+
• Psalm 131:1: 131 O Jehovah, my heart has not been haughty,+ Nor have my eyes been lofty;+ Nor have I walked in things too great,+ Nor in things too wonderful for me.+

God his judgments:

• Psalm 36:6: 6 Your righteousness is like mountains of God;*+ Your judicial decision is a vast watery deep.*+ Man* and beast you save, O Jehovah.+

God’s ways:

• Deuteronomy 32:4: 4 The Rock, perfect is his activity,+ For all his ways are justice.+ A God of faithfulness+ who is never unjust;+ Righteous and upright is he.+
• Psalms 25: 4: 4 Make me know your ways, O Jehovah;+ Teach me your paths.+ ה [He]

• Exodus 33:13: 13 Please, if I have found favor in your eyes, make me know your ways,+ so that I may know you and continue to find favor in your eyes. Consider, too, that this nation is your people.”+

• Psalm 86:11: 11 Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way.+ I will walk in your truth.+ Unify my heart* to fear your name.+

• Psalm 143:8: 8 Let me hear your loyal love in the morning, For I trust in you. Make known to me the way I should walk,+ For to you I turn.*
• Psalm 27:11:11 Instruct me in your way, O Jehovah,+ Lead me in the path of uprightness because of my foes.
• Psalm 119:33: 33 Teach me, O Jehovah,+ the way of your regulations, And I will follow it to the end.+
• Isaiah 54:13: 13 And all your sons* will be taught by Jehovah,+ And the peace of your sons* will be abundant.+

*

O the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge!—Rom. 11:33.

Thinking and speaking about a loved one can strengthen our bond with that person. The same is true regarding our relationship with Jehovah God. As a shepherd, David spent many a night gazing at the starry heavens and meditating on their incomparable Creator. He wrote:

“When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have prepared, what is mortal man that you keep him in mind, and the son of earthling man that you take care of him?” (Psalm 8:3, 4)

As we share in the ministry, we think and talk about Jehovah. That in itself has positive effects. Many who are able to engage in the full-time ministry have found that one blessing that results from their increased share in Kingdom service is that it has deepened their love for God. Yes, discussing future Kingdom blessings with others draws us closer to Jehovah. w13 9/15 5:1-3

Going onto the streets to proclaim the coming Kingdom of God

 

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Preceding:

El-Shaddai God Almighty Who no-one may see and live

True God giving His Word for getting wisdom

The holy spirit will bring back to your minds all the things told

Deel van God se Rykdom en Wysheid

Freigeben von Gottes Reichtum und Weisheit

Delen van God’s Rijkdom en Wijsheid

Partage de la richesse, la sagesse de Dieu

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Additional reading:

1. Bible for you and for life
2. Are you looking for answers and Are you looking for God
3. Jehovah God Almighty greater than all gods
4. The Almighty Lord God of gods King above all gods
5. No man see the Almighty God and live
6. The Right One to follow and to worship
7. True God giving His Word for getting wisdom
8. El Shaddai Who appeared unto Abraham
9. No man see the Almighty God and live
10. May the Lord direct your hearts to …
11. Increase our zeal for the Holy scriptures
12. For it is no empty word
13. May reading the Bible provoke us into action to set our feet on the narrow way
14. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
15. Bible, God’s Word to edify (ERV)
16. Bible, sword of the Spirit to come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man
17. Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus
18. Learn how to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News of the coming Kingdom
19. Preaching to an unbelieving world
20. Not all ability to preach
21. Jehovah’s Witnesses not only group that preach the good news
22. Trying to get the youth inspired
23. When discouraged facing opposition
24. How should we preach?
25. Biblereading statue
26. Record breaking preaching in Mount Dora

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