Seminaries and Institutes
Matthew 10: Instructions for the Twelve Apostles

“Matthew 10: Instructions for the Twelve Apostles,” New Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2003)

“Matthew 10,” New Testament Student Study Guide

Matthew 10

Instructions for the Twelve Apostles

At the end of Matthew 9, Jesus declared that He needed help in accomplishing the great work He came to do.

Consequently, He called twelve men as Apostles—a title that means “one sent forth.” Unlike other disciples who were sent forth on missions or served in other Church callings, Jesus called these men as special representatives and witnesses of Him, and He gave them special keys and power to act and speak in His name. (For more information, see the Bible Dictionary, “Apostle,” p. 612.) He also gave them a special charge, or instructions, that we read about in Matthew 10. Although this message was originally given to the Twelve Apostles, anyone who is called to serve as a representative of the Lord to teach His gospel may learn from the principles contained in this chapter.

Other Accounts of What You Read in Matthew 10

Matthew 10:1–4—Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16

Studying the Scriptures

Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Matthew 10.

  1. The Twelve Apostles

    List the names of the Twelve Apostles mentioned in Matthew 10:2–4. Then look up each name in the Bible Dictionary and write at least one thing we know about that Apostle from what is written there.

  2. Challenges and Promises for Missionaries

    1. Review Matthew 10:17–18, 22–25 and list at least three difficult conditions Jesus said His Apostles would face as they went out to preach the gospel.

    2. Ask someone who has been on a mission if he or she experienced some of the conditions you listed while serving a mission. Put an “X” next to the ones the person experienced. Have the person tell you about one of the experiences and how he or she felt about it. Write in your notebook a little of what you learned.

    3. What did Jesus promise in Matthew 10:19–20, 26–33 that could help make it easier to endure the challenges you listed above?

  3. How Can This Be?

    In Matthew 10:34–39, Jesus made three different statements that seem to go against what we normally think is true. He said He had not come to send peace, but a sword (see v. 34), that He splits families against each other (see vv. 35–37), and that the only way we can find our lives is to lose them (see v. 39).

    1. We know that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace to those who live it (see John 14:27). Read also Matthew 10:16–18; 24:6–10; Acts 12:1–2; and Doctrine and Covenants 76:28–29 and tell about times when Jesus’ statement in Matthew 10:34 is also true.

    2. We know that one purpose of the gospel is to seal families together forever. In what situation is Jesus’ statement in Matthew 10:35–37 true?

    3. How can one find his or her life by losing it?