The passage
      v35. From 9:35 to 10:4, Matthew deals with the topic of spreading the news of the kingdom. Jesus is probably on a second mission through Galilee. He teaches in the synagogues and proclaims the gospel in word and sign to the crowds.
      v36. For Jesus, the crowds contain the lost, a people unable to help themselves. The gospel is for the lost, the "sick" (sinners). The language of this verse derives from Ezekiel 34 and Numbers 27:17 (note Joshua is a type of Jesus/messiah/shepherd).
      v37-38. Jesus tells his disciples (all who follow him, not just the twelve) that the "harvest-crop is abundant" and that many will be needed to "reap" members for the kingdom.
      10:1-4. From his disciples, Jesus commissions twelve apostles (sent ones, messengers) to further the work of evangelism, and to do so with authority and power. The number twelve obviously represents the twelve tribes of Israel such that the disciples represent the last-days people of God. They even have authority over the powers of darkness. Such messianic signs proclaim the gospel in a visible way to a people with an understanding of the Old Testament.
      v5a. Jesus now gives mission instructions, 10:5-16. Matthew gives the setting. The disciples are sent out under the instructions detailed in the following discourse.
      v5b-6. The disciples were to evangelize the people of Israel in Galilee, and were not to go north to the Gentiles, or south to the Samaritans. They were to go to "the lost sheep of Israel." This describes the condition of the whole of Israel before God, although only the "lost" (sick) will inevitably respond. Jesus' mission is exclusively to Israel because he is the prophesied messiah who, as the true Israelite (the faithful remnant, son of God), comes to the lost children of Abraham to gather a last-days (eschatological) community. Only then can the promise to Abraham be fulfilled - a blessing to the whole world (the inclusion of the Gentiles).
      v7-8. The gospel message is outlined in its traditional form - "the kingdom of heaven (God) is near." The introduction ("the time is fulfilled") and the response ("repent and believe") are left out. The "signs", now fully listed, are visible ways of proclaiming the message. A Jew, waiting for the kingdom, could easily read the significance of the signs. As Jesus said, "If I by the finger of God cast out Satan, then you know the kingdom of God is near to you." On the financial side, the disciples are reminded "you have received without cost; give without charge", NEB.
      v9-10. They are to take no money on the mission, nor an extra coat, sandals or staff. They are to rely on hospitality under God's providence. The instructions are clearly for this particular mission to Israel (cf. Lk.22:35-38). Their attire validates the disciples in the eyes of the people of Israel, and so, like the prophets of old, they must be given a hearing.
      v11-15. Those who are "worthy" (those who hear and believe) are blessed. Those who reject the message are treated as pagans awaiting the judgement of God.
      v16. The good shepherd sends his sheep into the wolf pack. To survive they will need to be "shrewd" (prudent) and "innocent". By itself, prudence becomes cunning, and innocence becomes naivete. Jesus calls for balance.

The business of evangelism
      Today, the stress is upon the mechanism of evangelism, rather than on the message. Technique... dinners for six, welcoming teams, "relevant" services.... are designed to "access" the enquirer into gospel acceptance. Evangelism then becomes a process dependent upon the skill of the evangelist.
      Our passage for study gives us three insights into Biblical evangelism. Marketing methodologies may well build a strong institutional church and therefore promote institutional survival, but this will not necessarily build the kingdom of God.

1. The theology of evangelism
      "The harvest is plentiful". Images of grain ripe for harvest, or soil ready for planting, remind us that in the expanse of humanity it is the "lost" who yearns to be found. Evangelism is not the business of making converts, but of gathering those who seek after the Divine. We but announce the way to those who wait.

2. The message of evangelism (the gospel)
      "The kingdom of heaven is near." The message is simple and positive. Jesus is risen from the dead, and because he lives, we can live in the presence of God, totally acceptable to him - friends for eternity.

3. The method of evangelism
      "Search for some worthy person." Effective communication is the name of the game. We are to seek out the seeker where they live, work and play, with a contextual gospel message (culturally relevant). Opposition and compromise is the constant danger, but Christ's supportive power is always with us.

10:4
      paradouV (paradidwmi) aor. "betrayed" - handed over, delivered over. Note the suggestion that the word is used to explain the meaning of Iscariot, "the false one", "the deceiver." There are numerous suggestions for the meaning of Iscariot, eg. "red-head", but it is most likely a family name.

v5
      eqnwn "Gentiles" - the heathen. The phrase literally "the road/way to Gentiles" = the way leading to the Gentiles, probably means "to Gentile territory", Moule.

v7
      hggiken (eggizw) perf. ind. act "near" - draws near, close, comes close. Lit. "has drawn near". The kingdom of heaven is bursting in upon us, is pushing up against us, possibly "has arrived", Phillips.

v8
      ekballete (ekballw) "drive out" - expel, cast out. The disciples did do some casting out of demons, Mk.6:13, and we are told that the demons were subject to them, Lk.10:17.

v10
      phran (a) "bag" - refers to numerous types of bags, such as a travelling bag. In this context it may be a beggar's collection bag.
      rabdon "staff" - used primarily as a weapon, so therefore, the disciples are told not to take weapons of self-defense.

v11
      axioV adj. "worthy" - fit. Used in the sense of deserving the honour brought to the home by the evangelists. Such a person hears and responds to the gospel. It is not referring to a person who is worthy through law-obedience. "Deserving", Moffatt.
      exelqhte (exerkomai) aor. sub. act. "you leave" - you go out. Staying in the same house until they leave the village is somehow important. Why?

v13
      elqatw (erkomai) aor. imp. act. "let .... rest" - let come. Let your peace come upon the home.
      eirhnh (h) "peace" - well-being. Referring to the peace which the disciples ask God to send upon the household.

v14
      koniorton (oV) "dust" - Shaking off the dust illustrates total abandonment.