Matthew 10:1

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 10:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.
Matthew 10:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, etc.] These persons had been for some time called by the grace of God, and were already the disciples of Christ, and such as were more familiar and intimate with him, than others, that went by that name. They had sat down at his feet, and had received of his words; they had heard his doctrines, and had seen his miracles, and had been by him training up for public work; but as yet had not been called and sent forth to enter on such service: but now all things being ready, they being properly instructed, and the time for the conversion of a large number of souls being up, he called them together privately; and gave them a commission to preach…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“MISSION OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. ( = Mar 6:7-13; Luk 9:1-6). (Mat 10:1-5) And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power--The word signifies both "power," and "authority" or "right." Even if it were not evident that here both ideas are included, we find both words expressly used in the parallel passage of Luke (Luk 9:1) --"He gave them power and authority"--in other words, He both qualified and authorized them. against--or "over."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples ... - This account of sending the apostles forth is recorded also in Mark 6:7-11, and Luke 9:1-6. Mark says that he sent them out two and two. This was a kind arrangement, that each one might have a companion, and that thus they might visit more places and accomplish more labor than if they were all together. These twelve were the original number of apostles. The word “apostle” means one that is “sent,” and was given to them because they were “sent forth” to preach the gospel. They were ambassadors of Christ. To this number Matthias was afterward added, to supply the place of Judas Acts 1:26, and Paul was specially called to be an apostle…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His twelve disciples - Hence it appears that he had already chosen out of his disciples, those whom he afterward termed apostles. The number seems to have relation to the twelve patriarchs, and the twelve tribes of Israel. Mar 3:14; Mar 6:7; Luk 6:13; Luk 9:1. Matthew 10:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples as workers in the harvest (9:37-38). The choice of twelve is not accidental—it recalls the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was appointing new leaders for the new people of God under his reign as Messiah (16:18-19; 18:18; 19:28; 21:43). • gave them authority (9:6-8; 28:18): Jesus enabled the Twelve to perform ministries that the Jewish leaders could not accomplish (9:32-34; 10:5-8). The authority to cast out evil spirits (8:28) and to heal are ascribed to Jesus (4:23; 8:1–9:35) in similar terms.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“called: Mat 19:28, Mat 26:20, Mat 26:47; Mar 3:13, Mar 3:14, Mar 6:7-13; Luk 6:13; Joh 6:70; Rev 12:1; Rev 21:12-14 he gave: Mat 6:13, Mat 28:18, Mat 28:19; Mar 3:15, Mar 16:17, Mar 16:18; Luk 9:1-6, Luk 10:19, Luk 21:15, Luk 24:49; Joh 3:27, Joh 3:35, Joh 17:2, Joh 20:21-23; Act 1:8, Act 3:15, Act 3:16, Act 19:15 against: or, over Matthew 10:2”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification