Matthew 10:5 - Exposition

Parallel passages: Mark 6:7 , Mark 6:8 ; Luke 9:2 . These twelve Jesus sent forth ; ἀπέστειλεν (cf. John 17:18 ). Till now they had formed an inner circle of μαθηταί ( Matthew 9:35 , note), but now they begin their work of carrying Christ's message to others. " ἀποστέλλω corresponds with the idea of our own words 'despatch' and ' envoy,' and conveys the accessory notions of a special commission, and so far of a delegated authority in the person sent" (Bishop Westcott, on John 20:21 , Add. Note). Bengel suggests (on Luke 9:1 ) that the twelve were not all absent at once, but were sent out in relays; but Mark 6:30 is against this opinion (cf. also Luke 22:35 ). On the New Testament conception of the name and office of an apostle, cf. Bishop Lightfoot's classical note in 'Galatians'. And commanded them, saying ; charged them (Revised Version). Important as the charge is, its necessary subordination to the fact that they were sent is expressed by the very form of the sentence ( ἀπέστειλεν … ( παραγγείλας ) .