Matteuksen evankeliumi 10

People

Matthew 10 contains the only complete list of the twelve apostles in this gospel. The term "apostle" (ἀπόστολος) is used here for the first time in Matthew and means "one who is sent out"—an official envoy with authority from the sender. The list presents the disciples in pairs, reflecting the Jewish practice of sending witnesses out two by two (cf. Deut 19:15).

Several names provide important historical information: Simon is called "the Cananean" (Καναναῖος), which does not refer to Canaan but comes from the Aramaic word qan'an (zealous), identifying him as a Zealot—a follower of the nationalist movement. Matthew is identified as "the tax collector" (ὁ τελώνης), a reminder of his former occupation as a tax collector for the Romans. Judas Iscariot is described already here as "he who betrayed him," showing that the evangelist writes with knowledge of the entire story.

Places

The chapter mentions several geographical restrictions on the disciples' mission. The expression "way of the Gentiles" (ὁδὸν ἐθνῶν) likely refers to the Via Maris, the major trade route passing through non-Jewish areas along the coast. "Cities of the Samaritans" refers to the central region between Galilee and Judea, inhabited by the Samaritans, whom the Jews regarded as half-pagan due to their mixed origins following the Assyrian deportation in 722 BC.

Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 15) are mentioned as examples of cities destroyed because of their wickedness. These cities were probably located in the area near the southern end of the Dead Sea, and their destruction was in Jewish tradition the foremost example of God's judgment upon sin.

Events and Customs

The instruction to "shake off the dust from your feet" (v. 14) was a symbolic action that Jews traditionally performed when leaving pagan territory, to avoid bringing unclean dust into the holy land. For the disciples to do this toward Jewish towns that rejected them was a powerful symbolic act signaling that these towns had placed themselves outside God's people.

The travel gear forbidden—gold, silver, copper coins in the belt, bag, extra tunic, sandals, and staff—differs from the equipment of ordinary travelers and philosophical teachers. While Cynic philosophers often carried a bag (πήρα) and staff as distinguishing marks, the disciples were to be completely dependent on hospitality. The belt (ζώνη) functioned as a money pouch in antiquity, and the three metals mentioned—gold, silver, and copper—represented coins of different values.

Beating in synagogues (v. 17) was an accepted Jewish method of punishment. According to Jewish law, one could receive up to thirty-nine lashes for serious violations of the law. Synagogues served not only as places of worship but also as local courts for the Jewish population.

Key Terms

The expression "take up your cross" (v. 38) had a brutal and concrete meaning for its original audience. Crucifixion was Rome's method of execution for slaves and rebels, and the condemned person had to carry the crossbeam (patibulum) himself to the place of execution. The image of "bearing the cross" thus symbolized public shame and certain death. This is the first time the expression appears in the gospels.

"Gehenna" (γέεννα, v. 28) comes from the Hebrew Ge Hinnom (Valley of Hinnom), a valley south of Jerusalem where child sacrifices to the god Molech were performed in ancient times. In Jesus' day, the place had become a symbol of God's final judgment and punishment.

"Assarion" (ἀσσάριον, v. 29) was a small Roman copper coin worth one-sixteenth of a denarius. A denarius was a typical daily wage for a worker, so two sparrows for one assarion shows how little these birds were worth in the market—about half an hour's work.

Matteuksen evankeliumiLuku 10

Luku 10

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People

Places

Events and Customs

Key Terms

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