What does Matthew 10:6 mean?

Explanation

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus Christ gives a directive to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on their first mission to preach.

The verse "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" from Matthew 10:6 emphasizes Jesus' initial focus on the Jewish people, the "house of Israel." This instruction highlights a prioritization in Jesus’ ministry to reach out to God's chosen people according to Old Testament covenants before the message was to be spread to Gentiles (non-Jews).

Symbolically, "lost sheep" refers to those who have strayed from their faith or who have been lacking spiritual guidance.

Historical Context

Matthew 10:6 is set in the context of Jesus' ministry in 1st-century Palestine, a time when the Jewish people were under Roman occupation and experiencing a variety of political and religious tensions.

The phrase "lost sheep of the house of Israel" reflects an internal Jewish sentiment that the people needed renewal and a return to true faithfulness to God.

Jesus, a Jew Himself, addressed these needs first, reflecting the belief that the Messiah was to come first for the Jewish people, as affirmed in the scriptures of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament.

Theological Insights

There are several key theological standpoints regarding this passage:

• Covenant Theology: This interpretation focuses on the idea that Jesus was confirming the Old Testament covenants with the Jewish people, which indicated that they would first receive the promise of salvation.

• Dispensationalism: In this view, Jesus’ command shows a distinction between God's plan for Israel and for the Church, with a specific period where the focus is on Israel rather than the Gentiles.

• Supersessionism or Replacement Theology: Some theologians believe that the Church later replaced Israel as God's chosen people, an interpretation that has been challenged and debated extensively due to its implications for Jewish-Christian relations.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse reminds believers of the importance of recognizing and respecting the order and phases in which spiritual knowledge and salvation are imparted.

It suggests that one should be aware of the specific audiences and cultural contexts when sharing faith. Another application may be for individuals to reflect on their own spiritual journey, acknowledging if they feel like "lost sheep" and the need to return or deepen their faith.

Cross-References

• Matthew 15:24: "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
• Ezekiel 34:16: "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment."
• Jeremiah 50:6: "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "lost sheep of the house of Israel" is "πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ" (probata ta apolōlota oikou Israēl"). "πρόβατα" (probata) literally means "sheep" and symbolizes people who need care and guidance. "ἀπολωλότα" (apolōlota) is from the verb "ἀπόλλυμι" (apollumi), meaning "to destroy" or "to lose".

This word underscores the gravity of their condition, implying both being lost and in danger of destruction. "οἴκου" (oikou) refers to household or family, and "Ἰσραήλ" (Israēl) is Israel, the chosen people of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this verse to other ancient myths, there's often a theme of lost people or things being sought after by a deity or hero.

However, the Judeo-Christian concept seen here is unique in that there is a personal God actively seeking to restore a specific group of people (Israel) to Himself, rather than a more generic or allegorical rescue.

In other religious interpretations, such as some strands of Islam or Buddhism, the idea of a "lost" population might focus on moral or spiritual ignorance, with prophets or enlightened ones providing a path for return or enlightenment, but not necessarily associated with a specific, chosen racial or ethnic group.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, one can explore the sociological and psychological aspects of identity and belonging that are touched upon by this verse.

The "lost" feeling could be correlated with cognitive and emotional states that distinguish in-group versus out-group dynamics, with the house of Israel being a clear in-group.

The fulfillment that might come from returning to one's faith community can be assessed in terms of mental health and societal cohesion.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians have offered insights on Matthew 10:6:

• John Calvin: He saw this directive as a temporary limitation, meant not to imply the exclusion of the Gentiles but to order the disciples' work by starting with the Jews, who were deemed ready to receive the Messiah.

• Matthew Henry: He noted that this mission to the lost sheep was to awaken them to the arrival of the kingdom of heaven and was in line with prophecy, affirming Christ's role as the Shepherd of Israel.

• William Barclay: Barclay speaks to the special responsibility the Jewish people had, being the nation God chose to bring the message of salvation to the world.

Therefore, Jesus starts with them as a logical sequence in the unfolding divine plan.