Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Matthew
Book: Matthew
Chapter: 10
Overview:
The apostles called.
(1-4) The apostles instructed and sent
forth.
(5-15) Directions to the apostles.
(16-42)
1-4 The
Word "
Apostle" signifies
Messenger; they were
Christ's
messengers, sent forth to proclaim his kingdom.
Christ gave them
power to heal all manner of sickness. In the
Grace of the
Gospel
there is a
Slave for every sore, a remedy for every malady.
There is
No spiritual disease, but there is power in
Christ for
the cure of it. Their names are recorded, and it is their
honour; yet they had more reason to rejoice that their names
were written in
Heaven, while the high and mighty names of the
great ones of the
Earth are buried in the
Dust.
5-15 The
Gentiles must not have the
Gospel brought them, till
the Jews have refused it. This restraint
On the apostles was
only in their first mission. Wherever they went they must
proclaim, The kingdom of
Heaven is at
Hand. They preached, to
establish the
Faith; the kingdom, to animate the
Hope; of
Heaven, to inspire the
Love of heavenly things, and the contempt
of earthly; which is at
Hand, that men may prepare for it
without delay.
Christ gave power to work miracles for the
confirming of their doctrine. This is not necessary now that the
Kingdom of God is come. It showed that the intent of the
doctrine they preached, was to heal sick souls, and to raise
those that were dead in
Sin. In proclaiming the
Gospel of free
Grace for the healing and saving of men's souls, we must above
all avoid the appearance of the
Spirit of an
Hireling. They are
directed what to do in strange towns and cities. The servant of
Christ is the
Ambassador of peace to whatever place he is sent.
His message is even to the vilest sinners, yet it behooves him to
find out the best persons in every place. It becomes us to pray
heartily for all, and to conduct ourselves courteously to all.
They are directed how to act as to those that refused them. The
whole counsel of
God must be declared, and those who will not
attend to the gracious message, must be shown that their state
is dangerous. This should be seriously laid to
Heart By all that
hear the
Gospel, lest their privileges only serve to increase
their condemnation.
16-42 Our
Lord warned his disciples to prepare for
Persecution.
They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their
enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all
appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand measures.
Christ foretold troubles, not only that the troubles might not
be a surprise, but that they might confirm their
Faith. He tells
them what they should suffer, and from whom. Thus
Christ has
dealt fairly and faithfully with us, in telling us the worst we
can meet with in his service; and he would have us
Deal So with
ourselves, in
Sitting down and counting the cost. Persecutors
are worse than beasts, in that they prey upon those of their own
kind. The strongest bonds of
Love and duty, have often been
broken through from
Enmity against
Christ. Sufferings from
friends and relations are very grievous; nothing cuts more. It
appears plainly, that all who will live godly in
Christ Jesus
must suffer
Persecution; and we must expect to enter into the
Kingdom of God through many tribulations. With these predictions
of trouble, are counsels and comforts for a time of trial. The
disciples of
Christ are hated and persecuted as serpents, and
their ruin is sought, and they need the
Serpent's
Wisdom. Be ye
harmless as doves. Not only, do nobody any hurt, but
Bear nobody
any ill-will. Prudent care there must be, but not an anxious,
perplexing thought; let this care be cast upon
God. The
disciples of
Christ must think more how to do
Well, than how to
speak
Well. In case of great peril, the disciples of
Christ may
go out of the way of danger, though they must not go out of the
way of duty.
No sinful, unlawful means may be used to escape;
for then it is not a door of
God's opening. The fear of
Man
brings a
Snare, a perplexing
Snare, that disturbs our peace; an
entangling
Snare,
By which we are drawn into
Sin; and,
therefore, it must be striven and prayed against.
Tribulation,
distress, and
Persecution cannot take away
God's
Love to them,
or theirs to him. Fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and
body in
Hell. They must deliver their message publicly, for all
are deeply concerned in the doctrine of the
Gospel. The whole
counsel of
God must be made known, Ac 20:27.
Christ shows them
why they should be of good cheer. Their sufferings witnessed
against those who oppose his
Gospel. When
God calls us to speak
for him, we may depend
On him to teach us what to say. A
believing prospect of the
End of our troubles, will be of great
use to support us under them. They may be borne to the
End,
because the sufferers shall be borne up under them. The strength
shall be according to the
Day. And it is great encouragement to
those who are doing
Christ's work, that it is a work which shall
certainly be done. See how the care of
Providence extends to all
creatures, even to the sparrows. This should silence all the
fears of
God's people; Ye are of more value than many sparrows.
And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. This denotes
the account
God takes and keeps of his people. It is our duty,
not only to believe in
Christ, but to profess that
Faith, in
suffering for him, when we are called to it, as
Well as in
serving him. That denial of
Christ only is here meant which is
persisted in, and that
Confession only can have the blessed
recompence here promised, which is the real and constant
language of
Faith and
Love. Religion is worth every thing; all
who believe the
Truth of it, will come up to the price, and make
every thing else yield to it.
Christ will lead us through
sufferings, to
Glory with him. Those are best prepared for the
Life to come, that sit most loose to this present
Life. Though
the kindness done to
Christ's disciples be ever
So small, yet if
there be occasion for it, and ability to do
No more, it shall be
accepted.
Christ does not say that they deserve a reward; for we
cannot merit any thing from the
Hand of
God; but they shall
receive a reward from the free
Gift of
God. Let us boldly
confess
Christ, and show
Love to him in all things.