Matthew 9:35-10:23

International Children’s Bible

³⁵ Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about the kingdom. And he healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. ³⁶ He saw the crowds of people and felt sorry for them because they were worried and helpless. They were like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Jesus said to his followers, “There are many people to harvest, but there are only a few workers to help harvest them. ³⁸ God owns the harvest. Pray to him that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest.”^[a]

Jesus Sends Out His Apostles

10 Jesus called his 12 followers together. He gave them power to drive out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and sickness. ² These are the names of the 12 apostles: Simon (also called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Judas is the one who turned against Jesus.

⁵ These 12 men he sent out with the following order: “Don’t go to the non-Jewish people. And don’t go into any town where the Samaritans live. ⁶ But go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that are lost. ⁷ When you go, preach this: ‘The kingdom of heaven is coming soon.’ ⁸ Heal the sick. Give dead people life again. Heal those who have harmful skin diseases. Force demons to leave people. I give you these powers freely. So help other people freely. ⁹ Don’t carry any money with you—gold or silver or copper. ¹⁰ Don’t carry a bag. Take for your trip only the clothes and sandals you are wearing. Don’t take a walking stick. A worker should be given the things he needs.

¹¹ “When you enter a city or town, find some worthy person there and stay in his home until you leave. ¹² When you enter that home, say, ‘Peace be with you.’ ¹³ If the people there welcome you, let your peace stay there. But if they don’t welcome you, take back the peace you wished for them. ¹⁴ And if a home or town refuses to welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place. Shake its dust off your feet.^{[b] 15} I tell you the truth. On the Judgment Day it will be worse for that town than for the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah.^[c]

Jesus Warns His Apostles

¹⁶ “Listen! I am sending you out, and you will be like sheep among wolves. So be as smart as snakes. But also be like doves and do nothing wrong. ¹⁷ Be careful of people. They will arrest you and take you to court. They will whip you in their synagogues. ¹⁸ Because of me you will be taken to stand before governors and kings. You will tell them and the non-Jewish people about me. ¹⁹ When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say or how you should say it. At that time you will be given the things to say. ²⁰ It will not really be you speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.

²¹ “Brothers will turn against their own brothers and give them over to be killed. Fathers will turn against their own children and give them to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and have them killed. ²² All people will hate you because you follow me. But the person who continues strong until the end will be saved. ²³ When you are treated badly in one city, go to another city. I tell you the truth. You will not finish going through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.