Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
"Do not be afraid"
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
Jesus saw the crowds were like sheep without a shepherd and told his disciples to pray for workers for the harvest. Then he gave his twelve apostles authority to heal and sent them out to preach that the kingdom of heaven is near, warning them they would be like sheep among wolves. He told them not to be afraid, because God watches over every sparrow and knows every hair on their heads.
Where it is in the Bible: Matthew 9:35 to 10:42
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God.
- The twelve apostles: Jesus's twelve closest followers. An apostle is someone sent out with a message.
- The crowds: People in towns and villages all over Galilee.
Setting
- The towns and villages of Galilee.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, during Jesus's work in Galilee.
Before the Story
Jesus had been teaching and healing everywhere. He called a tax collector named Matthew to follow him (9:9). He raised a little girl from the dead (9:25).
Jesus had been with his disciples for a while. They had watched him teach, heal, and forgive.
Now Jesus would send them out. They would do what they had seen him do.
Here's what you know: One of the twelve names on the list is Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus (10:4).
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sheep without a shepherd | 9:35-38 | Jesus has compassion on the crowds |
| 2. The twelve | 10:1-4 | Jesus names his twelve apostles |
| 3. Travel light | 10:5-15 | Jesus gives them their instructions |
| 4. Sheep among wolves | 10:16-25 | Jesus warns them about hard times |
| 5. Do not be afraid | 10:26-33 | Jesus says God counts every hair |
| 6. A cup of cold water | 10:34-42 | Jesus talks about the cost and the reward |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 6Sheep Without a Shepherd
Jesus went through all the towns and villages. He taught in the synagogues, preached the good news of the kingdom, and healed every kind of sickness.
When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them. Compassion means feeling someone's pain and wanting to help.
They were tired and helpless, "like sheep without a shepherd" (9:36).
Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" (9:37).
This is a comparison. The harvest is all the people who need to hear the good news.
"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest" (9:38).
Scene 2 of 6The Twelve
Then Jesus called his twelve disciples. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and heal every sickness.
These were the twelve apostles: Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew. James and his brother John. Philip and Bartholomew. Thomas and Matthew the tax collector. James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus.
They were fishermen, a tax collector, and ordinary people. Jesus chose them.
Scene 3 of 6Travel Light
Jesus sent them out first to the people of Israel.
"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'" (10:7).
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give" (10:8).
They were not to take money, an extra bag, or extra clothes. People who welcomed them would provide what they needed.
In each town, they should stay with someone who welcomed them.
If a town would not welcome them or listen, they should shake the dust off their feet when they left. That was a sign that they had done their part.
Scene 4 of 6Sheep Among Wolves
"Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves" (10:16).
They should be wise and careful, and also innocent.
Jesus warned them that people would arrest them and beat them. They would stand before rulers because of Jesus.
But they did not need to worry about what to say. "It will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (10:20).
Even families would turn against them. "But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved" (10:22). To persevere means to keep going and not give up.
A student is not above his teacher. If people treated Jesus badly, they would treat his followers badly too.
Scene 5 of 6Do Not Be Afraid
"So do not be afraid of them" (10:26).
What Jesus told them in private, they should say out loud for everyone to hear.
People can hurt the body, but they cannot kill the soul.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father" (10:29).
"And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered" (10:30).
"So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (10:31).
Everyone who says before people that they belong to Jesus, Jesus will say before his Father in heaven that they belong to him.
Scene 6 of 6A Cup of Cold Water
Jesus said following him would not always bring peace in families. Some people would turn against those who follow him.
Anyone who loves father or mother, son or daughter, more than Jesus is not worthy of him. Anyone who does not take up their cross and follow him is not worthy of him.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (10:39).
"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me" (10:40).
Even a cup of cold water given to one of Jesus's followers will not be forgotten.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Like sheep without a shepherd" (9:36) | Jesus saw people who were lost and helpless, and he cared. |
| "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" (9:37) | Many people are ready to hear. Jesus sends his followers to tell them. |
| "Freely you have received; freely give" (10:8) | They hadn't paid for God's gifts. They shouldn't charge for them. |
| "Like sheep among wolves" (10:16) | Following Jesus can be dangerous. Jesus said so honestly. |
| "The Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (10:20) | God would help them when they had to speak. |
| "The very hairs of your head are all numbered" (10:30) | God knows you completely and cares about every detail. |
| "He who receives you receives Me" (10:40) | When people welcome Jesus's messengers, they welcome Jesus. |
Back Then
Travelers counted on hospitality. People often welcomed travelers into their homes and fed them. Jesus told the apostles to depend on that kindness.
Shaking dust off your feet was a sign. It showed that the messengers had done their part and were moving on (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Sparrows were very cheap. Poor people bought them for food. Two sparrows cost only a small coin.
Luke tells of Jesus sending out seventy-two more. Jesus gave them similar instructions (Luke 10:1-20).
Literal Reader Alert
Does God really count my hairs? Jesus is saying that God knows you completely, down to the smallest detail. Nothing about you is too small for him.
"I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Does Jesus want fighting? No. "Sword" here is a comparison. It means that following Jesus can divide people, even in families. Jesus is warning, not commanding anyone to fight.
Do I have to love Jesus more than my family? Jesus asks to be first. That doesn't mean loving your family less. People who put Jesus first often learn to love their families better. But if anyone tells you to obey them instead of keeping you safe, that is not what Jesus means. If someone at home is hurting you, please tell a trusted adult.
Do Christians still go out without money? These were special instructions for this first trip. Later, Jesus gave other instructions (Luke 22:35-36).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus | Compassionate | The crowds were like sheep without a shepherd (9:36) |
| The apostles | Chosen | Jesus called them by name and sent them (10:1-5) |
| The apostles | Nervous | Jesus warned them about danger (10:16-17) |
| Jesus | Reassuring | "So do not be afraid" (10:31) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which of Jesus's words do you need today? Tap one.
Do not be afraid
Jesus said it three times in this story. God knows every hair on your head.
Freely give
What could you share today? Even a cup of cold water counts to Jesus.
I feel helpless
Jesus saw people who were helpless and felt compassion. He sees you too.
Send workers
You can pray Jesus's prayer: "Lord, send workers into your harvest."
You Might Have Heard
"Only special people can tell others about Jesus."
What's true: Jesus gave the twelve a special job and special authority.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus chose ordinary people, fishermen and a tax collector. He promised God's Spirit would give them words. And he said even a cup of cold water given to one of his followers matters (10:42).
Where Jesus is: Looking at the crowds with compassion, and sending his friends out with his authority and his promise.
Good News
Jesus looked at the crowds and felt compassion. He saw people who were lost, like sheep without a shepherd.
"So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (10:31).
Jesus is the shepherd. He knows you completely. He sends his messengers so that everyone can hear the good news.
Jesus has compassion on people who are lost. God knows every hair on your head, so you don't have to be afraid.
Big Idea
Jesus had compassion on the crowds and sent out twelve ordinary people. God knows every hair on your head, so you don't have to be afraid.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that every Christian has a calling, a place where God puts them to serve their neighbor. Not everyone is called to be a pastor. But everyone can serve, in their family, at work, or at school, and tell others what God has done.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Matthew 9:35 to 10:23 (Lectionary 11), 10:24-39 (Lectionary 12), and 10:40-42 (Lectionary 13), on three Sundays in a row in early summer.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Sends Out the Twelve.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 11 Year AGospel, Matthew 9:35–10:8 [9–23]
- Lectionary 12 Year AGospel, Matthew 10:24–39
- Lectionary 13 Year AGospel, Matthew 10:40–42
- Lectionary 14 Year BGospel, Mark 6:1–13
- Lectionary 14 Year CGospel, Luke 10:1–11, 16–20
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve, explained in plain words. The crowds are like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus sends twelve ordinary people. About 11 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-sends-out-the-twelve/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church