Matthew 10 Summary - Quick Bible Study

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MATTHEW 10 SUMMARY IN 5 MINUTES

• WHEN:

  • The birth of Jesus probably occurred around 4 B.C..

  • From Luke 3:23, we know Jesus began His ministry when He was about 30 years old.

  • This would place the events of Jesus’ ministry roughly between 26-31 A.D..

• CHARACTERS:

  • Jesus - The Messiah. The Son of God who came to save the world from sin.

  • 12 Apostles - Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

• WHERE:

  • Although not specifically mentioned in Matthew’s writing, it seems likely Jesus sent the 12 Apostles out to preach from Capernaum.

• OUTLINE:

  • LIST OF THE 12 APOSTLES (10:1-10:4):

  • THE 12 APOSTLES SENT OUT TO PREACH (10:5-10:15):

    • Jesus gave the Apostles the power to work miracles (10:1).

    • He told them to proclaim “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

    • They were to preach only to the Jews.

    • They were to rely on the hospitality of strangers and the providence of God for their provisions.

  • A WARNING AND A PROMISE ABOUT PERSECUTION (10:16-10:33):

    • Jesus told His Apostles to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

    • Days would come when they would be arrested and taken to court for proclaiming the gospel.

    • When that happened, God’s Spirit would help them and give them the right words to say.

    • The message of the Kingdom of Heaven was controversial and divisive.

    • The Apostles were to expect persecution because even their teacher (Jesus) was going to be persecuted.

    • That said, Jesus told them not to fear their persecutors.

    • There was no need to fear those who could kill the body but not the soul.

    • God cared for the tiny sparrows, and even knew the number of hairs on their heads. Certainly He would be there for them in their persecutors.

    • “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

  • SACRIFICES WOULD NEED TO BE MADE FOR THE KINGDOM (10:34-10:39):

    • Jesus’ message would act as a sword of division between those who believed and those who didn’t.

    • Disciples needed to be prepared to make any sacrifice, including losing family relations.

    • Jesus said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”

    • “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

  • THOSE WHO HELP GOD’S SERVANTS WILL RECEIVE A REWARD (10:40-10:42):

    • Assisting a servant of God is like assisting Jesus Himself.

    • Even small forms of helping are appreciated by God.

• BIG PICTURE:

  • The Christian life was never presented as an easy, carefree, painless, luxurious life.

  • Followers of Jesus are supposed to be servants of God and servants to the world.

  • Although it is not easy, God promises to be with us all the way :)

• APPLICATION:

  • And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (10:42).

  • You don’t have to do something great or extravagant to work in God’s Kingdom.

  • What is one small thing you can do today to help another follower of Jesus?