PER081

The mission of the 12 Apostles

The article analyses the mission of the twelve apostles according to Matthew, Mark and Luke, highlighting the Jews' priority in the plan of salvation and the instructions Jesus gives for proclaiming God's kingdom.

8 min mission apostles Gospels Jesus kingdom of God 11 verses 5 books

See also

See also:

Bible texts

Matthew
Matthew 10.5-15 (King James Version)

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

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

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

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

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

And when ye come into an house, salute it.

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Mark
Mark 6.6-13 (King James Version)

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Luke
Luke 9.1-6 (King James Version)

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
John
John (King James Version) not mentioned in the book

Technical details

Bar chart for the year 31

Location: On a mountain near Capernaum in Galilee, with a plateau below

Date: After the Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem on April 5, AD 31

Method: We continue with Matthew

Note on the approach: Matthew explains the twelve apostles' mission more precisely than his friends.

Capernaum

Matthew, Mark and Luke will clarify the mission now entrusted to these twelve apostles.

The mission of the 12 Apostles

The mission of the 12 Apostles

Commentary

The first instruction, reported only by Matthew, is surprising because Jesus the Messiah asks his disciples to go exclusively to the rather than to non-Jews or the . How should we understand these instructions? Is the Gospel reserved only for Jews? That is what these lines seem to suggest. Yet why did Jesus the Messiah preach at Sychar in Samaria or at Tyre and Sidon?

Matthew 15.24 recounts a particular conversion in which a foreign woman is blessed despite Jesus the Messiah's words recalling this instruction: ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the community of Israel’ (PER180). This instruction from Jesus the Messiah should be understood as giving priority to the sheep of the house of Israel rather than excluding everyone else.

Thus, the message is intended first for the Jews, then for the nations. This people was to accept its king, Jesus the Messiah, and then become a source of blessing for all peoples (Genesis 12.3 and Isaiah 60.3). Addressing Jews, Matthew shows them their priority in God's plan of salvation. Mark and Luke, who direct their accounts to non-Jews, avoid emphasising the Jewish people's primacy.

Having specified their mission's aim—to proclaim God's kingdom and encourage people to repent—the three authors list a series of items they were not to take.
Why do Matthew and Luke prohibit a staff in their lists (Matthew 10.10 and Luke 9.3), whereas Mark excludes it from these prohibitions (Mark 6.8)? Mark also permits sandals (Mark 6.9), while Matthew 10.10 forbids them and Luke does not mention them! We answer these questions in appendix ANN094: The apostles' staff and sandals.

The Teacher's instructions are clear: the apostles offer the message of salvation; they do not impose it. They must turn only to those who accept their words, simply proclaiming rather than debating or proving. The results clearly show that Jesus the Messiah delegated to them authority and power that he alone had previously displayed.