Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:5

What does Matthew 10:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:5 means

Jesus gave clear, geographical restrictions for this specific mission. The apostles were not to go into Gentile territory or Samaritan cities. This directive emphasized that their immediate focus was specifically on the "house of Israel." This was a strategic and temporary limitation, underscoring the priority of God's covenant people. It was part of God's historical plan to offer the Messiah first to Israel, consistent with Old Testament prophecies, before the Gospel would eventually extend to all nations. This demonstrates the ordered progression of God's redemptive work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

These twelve Jesus sent out and gave them orders, saying, Do not go among the Gentiles, or into any town of Samaria,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

These twelve did Jesus send forth, having given command to them, saying, `To the way of the nations go not away, and into a city of the Samaritans go not in,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

These 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

These twelve Jesus sent out when he had charged them, saying, Go not off into [the] way of [the] nations, and into a city of Samaritans enter ye not;

Context

Having named the twelve apostles, Jesus immediately begins to issue specific instructions for their mission. This verse lays out crucial geographical boundaries, setting the initial scope of their work. It directly precedes the positive command to go to Israel, providing the necessary negative parameters before outlining their primary objective and message.

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

v.5This passage

v.6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Matthew 4:15

    The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16

    forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

  • Acts 22:21

    And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.

  • John 4:5

    So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph:

  • Luke 9:2

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

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