Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:16-21 – Becoming Fishers of Men

Mark 1:16-21 – Becoming Fishers of Men

|| Matthew 4:18-22[1]

MK1:16 Now while walking beside the sea[2] of Galilee Jesus saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother. As they were fishermen they were casting their nets into the sea. MK1:17 Jesus said to them: “Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers for men.” MK1:18 At once they left their nets and followed him. MK1:19 Continuing a little further he saw James the son of Zebedee[3] and his brother John. They also were in their boat mending the nets, and he immediately called them. MK1:20 They immediately left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men,[4] and they went and followed Jesus. MK1:21 So they came to Capernaum, and on the next Sabbath he entered the synagogue[5] and began to teach.

*

[1] Matthew 4:18-22: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Walking beside the sea: We see the Nazarene’s footprints in the sand.

[3] Zebedee: Or, Zabdi.

[4] Left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men: We can imagine the look on his face as he sees his sons leave for a life he could not begin to imagine, nor could history at this time.

[5] He entered the synagogue: There is a synagogue uncovered by archaeologists here that was built by the charity of a Roman centurion. Later Paul will follow the Nazarene’s example in using the Jewish synagogue system as the frame work for the beginning of Christianity.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:3-6 – John Preaches Baptism of Repentance

Mark 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:12-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom Has Drawn Near

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:18-22 – The Calling of the First Disciples

Matthew 13:47-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Dragnet

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Additional reading

• 2020 years ago, the road was opened

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Related

1. Dropping the Nets that Entangle
2. Invitation
3. Trust and Obey
4. Jesus’ call to be His disciple is an equipping call
5. Jesus Calling!
6. Fishers of Men
7. Fishers of Men… “Four Fishermen Follow Jesus” 
8. Fishing like Evangelism is Unpredictable
9. Daily Devotion What would it take for you to be able to drop everything? Are you willing to let go of your grip of the familiar to try something new? There are no promises that the journey ahead will be easy but Jesus is one worth really following.
10. Matthew 4:19-Jesus said To Fish For People
11. What Da Hook Gone Be?
12. The Spiritual Blur
13. Mending Our Nets
14. Gospel of John: In Between
15. Torn Nets
16. Fishers of men – My Lion Again – On Before ITS NEWS
17. Because you say so
18. The Soul of the Fisher
19. Fish for People/Fisher’s of Men
20. Spend Time with Jesus

Matthew 24:9-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer: Part Two – The Acts of the Apostles Foretold

Matthew 24:9-14 – The Acts of the Apostles Foretold

|| Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-19

MT24:9 {MK13:9 “But, (LK21:12 before all these things[1]) you look after yourselves:[2] they will turn you over to Sanhedrins[3] (LK21:12 and synagogues[4] and prisons) to be beaten and flayed. And you will stand before kings and governors[5] on my account (LK21:12 and on account of my name[6]) as a testimony to them.”} “They will hand you over to oppression[7] and kill you[8] and you will be hated by all nations for my name. MT24:10 And then many will stumble[9] and they will betray one another and hate one another. {MK13:12 Brother, relatives, and friends will hand you over to death. Children will turn against parents and put them to death.} MT24:11 Many false prophets will rise[10] and mislead many. MT24:12 Because of increasing lawlessness[11] the love of many will cool.[12] MT24:13 But the one who endures completely[13] will be saved. {LK21:18 Not a hair of your head will perish. LK21:19 By your endurance you will acquire your souls.[14]} MT24:14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached[15] {MK13:10 first} in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations. And then The End[16] will come. {MK13:11 And when they lead you away to hand you over do not worry beforehand. (LK21:14 Do not premeditate a defense[17] regarding what you will say.) The holy Pneuma will speak for you. LK21:15 I shall give you a mouth of wisdom so all those lying about you will not be able to resist or contradict.}

*

[1] Before all these things: Jesus foretells the very events recorded in the Book of Acts. These are the things the Apostles will experience before “the end” of Jerusalem and her Temple in the year 70 CE.

[2] You look after yourselves: The Apostles asking the question.

[3] Sanhedrins: Note the occurrences of “you” (meaning the disciples or Apostles) and now this word “Sanhedrin.” This proves Jesus has in mind the experience of his own Jewish followers as these finally occurred in the Book of Acts (Acts chs 2-8). He is discussing those events prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD when any such “Sanhedrins” ceased to exist.

[4] Synagogues: Note Jesus still has his Jewish disciples in mind. See this fulfillment in Acts chs 4, 5, 16, 22-26 (John 16:1, 2).

[5] Before kings and governors: Again this foretold experience of the disciples can be read in Acts chs 4-7, 22-26.

[6] My name: There is a singular “name” for which Christians are hated. Note this is not the Father’s name here, that is Yahweh, or Jehovah. It is rather the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene (Acts 3:6; 4:10; 24:5; 1 Peter 4:14). A word search on “name” will show it pertains to “Jesus” almost always, and seldom the Father.

[7] Oppression: The Greek THLIPSIN root meaning is squeeze or press and so oppression. It may mean persecution or personal tribulation as an external or internal pressure. (See DNTT Volume 2, page 807: “press, squeeze, crush.”) The word is later used by the Nazarene when referring to “great oppression.” (Matthew 24:21) Compare Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20.

[8] Kill you: This begins with the first martyr Stephen in Acts chs 7, 8.

[9] Many will stumble: Jesus foretells the stumbling of many during those decades leading up to the year 70. However, such stumbling has occurred throughout the centuries right to the present as a result of those false prophets and their predictions that “The Time Is At Hand!”

[10] Many false prophets will rise: See the writings of Josephus on the rise of false prophets preceding the destruction of Jerusalem. They may be false prophets because they proclaim “the appointed time is near” and point to various dates for the Return of Christ. These are dates foretold but which do not materialize in the manner predicted.

[11] Lawlessness: This lawlessness may be inside the Church itself as Jesus uses this word in his parable of the Wheat and Tares (Zizania) at Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Paul uses the word to describe the apostate “man of lawlessness” at 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. Surely, this “lawlessness” includes false predictions claiming, “The Time Is At Hand.”

[12] The love of many will cool: Jesus counsels the Angelic Presbyter of Ephesus on this at Revelation 2:1-3. There “love” is highly associated with “works” and these must be foremost those of faith and charity as 1 John 3:23 shows.

[13] Endures completely: Or, to the end. This word “end” (TELOS) is without the Greek article and cannot be the same as “the end” elsewhere in Jesus’ answer. This is the “end” of the Christian race of endurance for each of these Apostles (Luke 21:19; Revelation 2:10).

[14] You will acquire your souls: Your future immortal life as a spiritual person or soul in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:45-52; Acts 2:27, 31).

[15] The Kingdom will be preached: Compare Colossians 1:23 and Acts 2:5. Before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 the Kingdom Gospel had been preached throughout the known Roman world and to representatives of all the nations. This particular preaching campaign is that of the early disciples leading up to “the end” of Jerusalem.

[16] The End: The SYNTELEIAS the disciples had in mind with the destruction “the end” of the Jewish Temple Age. Here Jesus uses TELOS. Note this is the last occurrence of the word “end” and it is not used again later when the Nazarene’s focus turns to his own Arrival or Parousia.

[17] Do not premeditate a defense: Peter, Stephen and Paul are good examples of these defenses in the Book of Acts.

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Preceding

Signs of the last days when difficult times will come

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #3 Matthew 7:21-23 The ones Jesus never knew

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 13:47-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Dragnet

Matthew 24 about temples or Houses of God and the end of the age

Matthew 24:1-2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Desolation, Oppression and the Parousia – The Setting

Matthew 24:3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Desolation, Oppression and the Parousia – The Apostles’ Question

Matthew 24:4-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer: Part One – Beware Being Misled

Matthew 21:12-14 – From a den of thieves to a house of prayer

In Jesus time we could already find temples where money was handled. Those who wanted to exchange money could go for that to the temple. Though God had not let build temples for worldly actions like exchanging money, selling and buying.

“12  And Jesus entered the temple and cast out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13 And He *said to them, “It is written, ’MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER’; but you are making it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” 14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.” (Mt 21:12-14 NAS)

John’s Gospel records a similar cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (John 2:13–17).

“13 And the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers seated. 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the moneychangers, and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a house of merchandise.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR THY HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”” (Joh 2:13-17 NAS)

Because being around the same festival (the passover – 14-22 Nisan) both writers could have been writing about the same event. But it can well be that John spoke of an earlier incident. It is commonly supposed that Jesus observed three Passovers in Jerusalem  — one recorded in Luke 6:, another in John 6:4, and the last one on the night before he was crucified, John 11:55. By John we also find Jesus who went up to Jerusalem and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.

John also says something about the temperament of Jesus. Jesus was not at all pleased with what went on in what should be a House of God. Annoyed with what he saw, Jesus in a burst of rage, made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables and the seats of them that sold the doves. For Jesus it was clear that a Temple for God should not be a house of merchandise. His disciples also remembered that it was written,

“For zeal for Thy house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those who reproach Thee have fallen on me.” (Ps 69:9 NAS)

Interpreters have proposed two explanations:

(1) there was only one cleansing, but John narrated the action at the beginning for thematic/theological purposes, while the Synoptic Gospels narrate the actual historical chronology;

(2) there were indeed two similar but distinctly different temple cleansings. The differences of detail seem to indicate the latter, for while the initial action is similar, Jesus’ statement (Matt. 21:13) and the challenge from the Jewish leaders (vv. 15–16) are entirely different from what John records.
In addition, John places the event so early in his Gospel that it would be difficult to think he wanted readers to take it as anything but an event that happened early in Jesus’ ministry. Thus Jesus cleansed the temple at the beginning as a warning, and at the end of his ministry as a statement of judgment on the leadership of Israel.

You could wonder why the first cleansing had no success at all. But that indicates how the gaining of money was more important than keeping the temple only for worship.

This incident Matthew is talking about, is placed on the Monday morning, when they were come out from Bethany, by the evangelist Mark (Mark 11:12–19).

“12  And on the next day, when they had departed from Bethany, He became hungry. 13 And seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And He answered and said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening. 15 And they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ’MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for all the multitude was astonished at His teaching. 19 And whenever evening came, they would go out of the city.” (Mr 11:12-19 NAS)

Jesus wanted nobody to carry a vessel through the temple or doing business. After his outburst of anger Jesus taught those around him that it was written,

  My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations.

referring to what his heavenly Father, the God of Israel had told His people

“Even those I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”” (Isa 56:7 NAS)

Therefore what would be acceptable in the Temple or God’s House are burnt offerings and people their sacrifices brought to the altar. All had to understand that the house of Jehovah God shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. (Isa 56:7)

“A house of prayer for all peoples” indicates that first of all it had to be a place where people of all nations should be able to come in to pray. Jesus indicated that within the temple there is no place for a sort of market where commercial activity would take place.

In Matthew 21:13 Jesus compares the temple and its keepers to a den of robbers. Thieves often used caves to store their ill-gotten wealth and to plot future crimes. A temple for God does not have to be a place of secret actions, nor for worldly activities. It should be a place where people come without fear nor hesitation to gather in unity, to express their faith and for worshipping God. Everything belongs already to God, so people should know they can not tempt Him with money nor worldly sacrifices.

God allowed people to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices, but any sacrifice of a wicked person is an abomination to Jehovah God.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.” (Pr 15:8 NAS)

God is willing to incline His ear for those who come in honesty to His House (the temple) (Ps 10:17) where pepole also could come to confess their sins to one another, and could gather to pray for one another, so that they might be healed. This with the knowledge that the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (Jas 5:16)

Also today we should wonder what is acceptable to be done in a House of prayer, be it called a synagogue, temple, prayer hall, kingdom hall, church hall, or simply church. We can find a lot of churches where financial activities take place. When you go and visit places have a look into many churches and see how they have stalls for selling things and often also have a lot of statues of people (called saints) with underneath a collecting box. In many churches we not only can see such sculptures of human beings but also of gods, like Jesus (the son of God – for many god the son) and God the Father, which is against God His commandments.

“’Cursed is the man who makes an idol or a molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ’Amen.’” (De 27:15 NAS)

All going to such a House of prayer should know that God looks down at the earth and sees all people, knowing what goes on in their heart. All should be aware that everything which goes in against the commandments of God is an abomination in His eyes and considered evil. (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Acts 17:29; Proverbs 15:29; 1 Samuel16:7; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 3:22). When people live according God’s Will He is willing to listen to them, at any moment, but in a House of prayer they can find a special place to be in contact with their God.

“and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1Jo 3:22 NAS)

In Jesus ‘ time but also later, as well as today, we can find pepole misusing their prime location, taking advantage of people’s religiosity to over-charge and cheat. In many places of worship and of pilgrimage we can find people deliberate making misuse of religion for personal gain. Look for example to Lourdes a.o. so called ‘sacred places’ and notice the whole ‘circus market’.

Jesus wants to see an atmosphere of pure, God-centred worship, free of man-centred worldly distractions. The House of God should be a place to gather to study the Word of God, to meditate and to pray. The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, but Jesus had already given a sign that in each person there was a place for a temple.

Today we do not have to go up on the mountain, nor to Jerusalem,to worship the Father. As true worshippers we can go to any place where nothing is against the Will of God to worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers.

“21 Jesus *said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. 22 “You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” (Joh 4:21-23 NAS)

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Preceding

Matthew 12:1-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Something Greater than the Temple

Matthew 21:1-3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Sent Ahead for a Donkey

Matthew 21:4-5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Your King Is Coming upon a Donkey

Matthew 21:6-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Blessed the One Coming in God’s Name!

Matthew 21:10-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Who Is This?

Matthew 21:12-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Temple Cleansed

Good or bad preacher

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Additional reading

1. Today’s thought “Cleansing of the leper under the Law” (March 7)
2. Memorizing wonderfully 13 Elija, Elisha, Mordecai, Job, chariots and a house for God
3. Memorizing wonderfully 20 Mountain and Kingdom of God
4. Having a small church mentality

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Further related

1. He Was Moved with Compassion
2. Watch Well Thy Faith
3. How Many Christians Are Abusing the Label?
4. The House of God
5. House of God The house of God reaches upwards to meet with the cloudy firmament
6. 5 – The House of God
7. In the house of God
8. Cornerstone
9. This is a House of Prayer
10. The Proper Place – I Timothy 2 – Part 1
11. Church at Sardis-2 ‘Of whose house are we?’
12. Of His House
13. Today’s Theme Song: House of God
14. I Miss Reverence
15. Why You Must Be Glad when You’re Invited to church
16. God’s Holiness
17. The Church
18. Welcome to the house of God

Matthew 13:53-58 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Where Did He Get Such Wisdom?

Matthew 13:53-58 – Where Did He Get Such Wisdom?

|| Mark 6:1-6

MT13:53 Now when Jesus concluded these parables he traveled elsewhere. MT13:54 Upon arriving in his fatherland[1] he began teaching the people in their synagogue.[2] They were astounded and said, “From where did this person receive this wisdom and dynamic works?[3] MT13:55 Is this not[4] the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary – as well and his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? MT13:56 And his sisters[5] – are they not all among us? So, from where[6] did this person receive all this?” MT13:57 As a result they were stumbled and scandalized[7] because of him. But, Jesus told them, “A prophet is not honored[8] in his own father-land, nor in his own house.”[9] MT13:58 As a result he performed no dynamic works there because of their lack of faith.[10]

*

[1] In his fatherland: The Greek is PATRIDA from which comes the English “patriot.” Or, KJV: own country; WMS: home town; RHM: own city. Likely Nazareth, possibly a parallel with Luke 4:14-30.

[2] Synagogue: For information search the word synagogue. “Synagogue” occurs 67 times, most often in Acts. The Greek word, or a form of it, SYNAGOGE, does occur else where it is rendered “gathering” or “meeting.” It is virtually the same as ECCLESIA.

[3] Dynamic works: The Greek is DYNAMEIS. Or, GDSP: power to do these wonders; KJV: mighty works; NWT: powerful works.

[4] Is this not: Compare Mark 6:3; Luke 3:23; 4:22; John 6:42.

[5] His sisters: They are never named nor is the number given anywhere. See Mark 6:3.

[6] From where: This is possibly the hometown of Jesus, Nazareth, and likely these people saw Jesus grow up. Some are not aware of the experience when he was twelve and questioned the teachers in Jerusalem (Luke 2). However, there was nothing in Jesus upbringing so unusual that others would have suspected this would become the greatest man whoever lived. This may have been deliberate to protect the Nazarene’s anonymity.

[7] Stumbled and scandalized: The Greek is ESCANDALIZONTO and is used elsewhere. Or, KJV: offended; RHM: began to find cause of stumbling; TCNT: proved a hindrance; MOF: repelled by him. See the notes at Matthew 13:41.

[8] A prophet is not honored: Compare John 4:44.

[9] In his own house: Likely referring to the home he grew up in. Despite the angelic words to Joseph and Mary Jesus had remained so unspectacular that nothing betrayed his destiny. The prophet suggested this: “To the extent that many have stared at him in amazement-so much was the disfigurement as respects his appearance more than that of any other man and as respects his stately form more than that of the sons of mankind.… No stately form does he have, nor any splendor; and when we shall see him, there is not the appearance so that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 52:14; 53:3 NWT)

[10] Their lack of faith: Compare Matthew 8:10.

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Preceding

Matthew 2:1-6 – Astrologers and Priests in a Satanic Plot

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 8:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Two Would-be Followers

Matthew 12:38-42 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Signs in Jonah and the Queen of the South

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 13:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable: the Soil and the Seed

Matthew 13:10-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Why Speak in Parables?

Matthew 13:16-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Happy Eyes and Ears

Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil

Matthew 13:24-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Field and the Harvest

Matthew 13:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:33 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Fermented Whole

Matthew 13:34-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Manner of Teaching Foretold

Matthew 13:36-43 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Zizania in the Field Explained

Matthew 13:44 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Treasure

Matthew 13:45-46 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Valuable Pearl

Matthew 13:47-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Dragnet

Matthew 13:51-52 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Teacher Uses New and Old

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Additional reading

 

1. The Ecclesia
2. Congregate, to gather, to meet
3. Disciple of Christ counting lives and friends dear to them

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Related

1. “Salvation Is Of The Jews”
2. In the Era of the Urgent – Clinging to the Important
3. Rabbi Jesus
4. “Why A Rabbi?”, part 1
5. Why A Rabbi?: The Silent Years?
6. “Why A Rabbi?”: A Slight Detour
7. Jesus Said:
8. The True Way – March 03, 2018
9. The Miracles of the Prophets: Part 2-Prophet Isa (Jesus)
10. The Incomparable Christ
11. Wisdom of Christ is health – die to your old self

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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