Matthew – Chapter 10

New Testament42 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of…" — so begins Matthew 10. The chapter centers on James, Simon and Bartholomew. Across its 42 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's protection and deliverance. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities.

2And the names of the twelve Apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,

3James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,

4Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not.

6But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give.

9Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses:

10Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat.

11And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till you go thence.

12And when you come into the house, salute it, saying: Peace be to this house.

13And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you.

14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.

15Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

16Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.

17But beware of men. For they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.

18And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles:

19But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what to speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak:

20For it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.

21The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death.

22And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.

23And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.

24The disciple is not above the master, nor the servant above his lord.

25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the good man of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household?

26Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known.

27That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops.

28And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell.

29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father.

30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows.

32Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

33But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

34Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.

35For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household.

37He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.

38And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.

39He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.

40He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.

41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man.

42And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward.

Important Verses in Matthew 10

And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities.

Matthew 10:1

And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:7

Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:31

And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward.

Matthew 10:42

Historical Context

Matthew belongs to the New Testament and was composed for jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel. Chapter 10 of 28 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 42 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. James, Simon, Bartholomew and Matthew appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal…" The final verse reads: "And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen…" Read against its original backdrop, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Matthew 10 presents a concrete episode in the history of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 133). Here, Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Matthew 10 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.

People in This Chapter

James2 mentionsSimon2 mentionsBartholomew1 mentionMatthew1 mentionAndrew1 mentionPhilip1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Matthew Chapter 10, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Matthew Chapter 10 supports that call by drawing attention to humility before the mystery of God within the wider message that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

As you continue through Matthew, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 10 about?

Matthew 10 contains 42 verses. It opens with "And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal…" and closes with "And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 10?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 10?

This chapter mentions James, Simon, Bartholomew, Matthew, Andrew, among others.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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