Matthew 10:1 · Bible study
Matthew 10:1 Commentary: Jesus Delegates Authority to the Twelve
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore how Jesus commissioned the twelve with authority over unclean spirits and disease, and what this means for the church today.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus commissions the twelve with delegated authority to confront evil and heal as a sign of the kingdom.
- Key words: exousia (authority/right), akathartos (unclean, morally impure), ekballō (cast out, with force), therapeuō (heal, serve).
- Main debate: Whether this commission is a unique apostolic gift or a pattern for all Christian ministry and healing.
- Theological theme: Delegated authority of Christ; the kingdom breaking into both spiritual and physical realms.
- Best use: Preaching on the foundation of apostolic mission; teaching on spiritual warfare and healing with careful attention to context.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
KJV King James Version 1769
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And having called to him his twelve disciples, he gave to them power over unclean spirits, so as to be casting them out, and to be healing every sickness, and every malady.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And having called to [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power over unclean spirits, so that they should cast them out, and heal every disease and every bodily weakness.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
ENTONCES llamando á sus doce discípulos, les dió potestad contra los espíritus inmundos, para que los echasen fuera, y sanasen toda enfermedad y toda dolencia.
Jesus chamou a si os seus doze discípulos, e deu-lhes poder sobre os espíritos imundos, para os expulsarem, e curarem toda enfermidade e toda doença.
Puis, ayant appelé ses douze disciples, il leur donna le pouvoir de chasser les esprits impurs, et de guérir toute maladie et toute infirmité.
Und er rief seine zwölf Jünger zu sich und gab ihnen Macht über die unsauberen Geister, daß sie sie austrieben und heilten allerlei Seuche und allerlei Krankheit.
En Zijn twaalf discipelen tot Zich geroepen hebbende, heeft Hij hun macht gegeven over de onreine geesten, om dezelve uit te werpen, en om alle ziekte en alle kwaal te genezen.
Poi, chiamati a sé i suoi dodici discepoli, diede loro potestà di cacciare gli spiriti immondi, e di sanare qualunque malattia e qualunque infermità.
A zwoławszy dwunastu uczniów swoich, dał im moc nad duchy nieczystymi, aby je wyganiali, i uzdrawiali wszelką chorobę i wszelką niemoc.
И призвав двенадцать учеников Своих, Он дал им власть над нечистыми духами, чтобы изгонять их и врачевать всякую болезнь и всякую немощь.
耶穌叫了 十二個 門徒來，給 他們 權柄，能 趕逐 污 鬼，並 醫治 各樣的 病 症。
And he got together his twelve disciples and gave them the power of driving out unclean spirits, and of making well all sorts of disease and pain.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 10:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree this verse marks a pivotal moment: Jesus formally commissions his twelve disciples for a mission. Barnes notes that the word 'apostle' means 'one who is sent,' and these twelve were sent out as Christ's ambassadors. Calvin emphasizes that this commission is temporary, preparing the way for Christ's own preaching, not a fixed rule for all ministers. Gill clarifies that 'unclean spirits' is a Jewish term for demons, and the disciples received genuine authority to expel them. The number twelve alludes to the twelve patriarchs and tribes of Israel (Wesley, Lange), signaling the mission was first to God's covenant people. JFB adds that the term 'power' here includes both ability and right. The core agreement: Jesus gave these men a specific, authority-laden commission to demonstrate the coming kingdom through exorcism and healing. This delegation of authority reminds us that the mission is not ours alone, Christ provides both the call and the power.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Unique apostolic commission: The twelve were foundational witnesses (Matthew 19:28; Ephesians 2:20). Their authority was tied to the founding of the church and not transferable.
- Pattern for all ministry: The commission includes principles of calling, authority, and healing that can apply to all who are sent by Christ (John 20:21).
- Limited to the Jewish mission: The immediate context (v.5-6) restricts the mission to Israel. Calvin and others argue this was a preparatory phase, not a universal pattern.
What is clear: Jesus gave the twelve disciples genuine authority over unclean spirits and the power to heal every disease as a sign of the kingdom, showing that his mission confronts both spiritual evil and physical brokenness.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the authority | Jesus gave the twelve genuine delegated authority (exousia) to act in his name. | Whether this authority was only for the apostles as foundational witnesses or whether it extends to all believers in a similar measure (e.g., for healing or exorcism). |
| Scope of the commission | The initial mission was limited to Israel (v.5-6). | Christians differ on whether this commission is a temporary preparatory mission (Calvin) or a pattern for all subsequent apostolic ministry (Matthew Henry sees principles for ordination). |
| Significance of the number twelve | The number alludes to the twelve tribes of Israel (Wesley, Gill). | Some see the twelve as replacing or restoring Israel; others see them as representing the new covenant people without supersessionism. |
| Healing and exorcism | These were literal demonstrations of the kingdom's power. | Whether such gifts continue today (Pentecostal/charismatic traditions) or were primarily authenticating signs for the apostolic age (cessationist traditions). |
Historical & Cultural Context
In Matthew 10:1, Jesus takes a decisive step in his ministry by calling the twelve disciples to him and giving them authority. The cultural backdrop is Jewish expectation of a restored Israel. By choosing twelve, Jesus evokes the twelve tribes, a point made by Theophylact (cited in Lange) and echoed by Gill and Wesley. These men were not priests but ordinary fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, showing that authority came from Christ, not human status.
The phrase 'unclean spirits' reflects Jewish understanding of demons as sources of both physical and spiritual defilement. Gill notes such spirits were thought to frequent graves, and exorcism was practiced among some Jewish groups, but the disciples' authority came directly from Christ. Jesus 'called to himself', the Greek verb proskalesamenos (aorist middle participle) implies an intimate summoning, a personal calling before being sent out. This pattern mirrors Mark 3:13:
"He went up into the mountain and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him."
— Mark 3:13 (WEB)
As Calvin argues, this mission was limited in scope, they were sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, not yet to the Gentiles. The healing of 'every disease and every sickness' echoes messianic prophecies and demonstrates the comprehensive restoration the kingdom brings. This historical setting shows that the authority was real but given for a specific purpose, a pattern that shapes how Christians understand commissioned ministry.
Textual Notes
A few later manuscripts include the preposition kata ('against') before 'unclean spirits,' as noted by Adam Clarke. The earliest and most reliable Greek witnesses read simply exousian pneumatōn akathartōn ('authority over unclean spirits'). The variant does not change the basic meaning: Jesus gives his disciples authority over the spiritual forces of evil.
Reception History
Early church writers like Theophylact (11th century) saw the number twelve as a direct parallel to the twelve tribes of Israel, emphasizing continuity with God's covenant people. During the Reformation, Calvin argued the commission was temporary and not a fixed rule for all ministers, while Wesley and Matthew Henry drew principles for ordination and preparation for ministry. In modern missions, this verse has been used to justify healing ministries and spiritual warfare practices, while others caution against applying the apostles' specific authority to every believer. The verse remains a touchstone for discussions about delegated authority and the nature of apostolic ministry.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Call: Jesus summons the twelve to himself. This is personal and intentional. He chooses ordinary people for an extraordinary task.
- The Authority: He gives them exousia, delegated power and right, over unclean spirits and every sickness. The authority is Christ's; it is merely loaned to them.
- The Mission: They are sent to confront evil and heal brokenness. The outcome is a visible demonstration of the kingdom breaking in.
Five-point outline
- The Preparatory Training: The twelve had been with Jesus, learning from him (Matthew Henry).
- The Symbolic Number: Twelve corresponds to the tribes of Israel, showing continuity with God's covenant people.
- The Scope of Power: “Over unclean spirits … every disease and sickness”, no evil or illness lies outside Christ's authority.
- The Twofold Purpose: To cast out and to heal, addressing both spiritual and physical brokenness.
- The Temporary Nature: As Calvin notes, this commission was initially limited to Israel, but it foreshadows the worldwide mission in Matthew 28.
Illustration hooks
- A boss giving an intern a company card: The authority to spend belongs to the boss, but is handed over temporarily. The intern must stay within the limits set.
- Parents giving a teenager the car keys: The car is still the parents', but for a specific trip the authority to drive is delegated. Trust and responsibility go together.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this kind of authority still exist today, or was it only for the apostles?
- Why only twelve? If Jesus was starting a movement, why not choose more?
- What does “unclean spirits” mean for us now, are we supposed to cast out demons?
Leading a Discussion
This passage marks a turning point in Matthew's Gospel. Up to now Jesus has been teaching and healing alone. Here, he shares his authority with twelve ordinary men. As you discuss, notice the deliberate actions: he calls them “to himself,” gives them authority, and then sends them out. What does this tell us about how God works through human partners?
Discussion questions
- Observation: What does Jesus do first, before giving authority? Why is the order significant?
- Interpretation: The Greek word exousia can mean both “power” and “authority.” How does that double meaning shape your understanding?
- Interpretation: Why do you think Jesus chose twelve, not ten or fifteen? How does the link to the twelve tribes of Israel inform the mission?
- Application: In what areas of your life do you need to remember that the authority belongs to Christ, not to you?
- Application: This commission includes both deliverance (casting out) and restoration (healing). How can your small group or church reflect both of these?
- Connection to the broader story: How does this limited commissioning prepare for the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20?
- Reflection: The twelve were called personally. Have you sensed a personal call from Jesus to participate in his mission? What might that look like for you this week?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 6:13 | Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’ |
| Matthew 19:28 | Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. |
| Matthew 26:20 | Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. |
| Matthew 26:47 | While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. |
| Matthew 28:18 | Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. |
| Matthew 28:19 | Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, |
| Mark 3:13 | He went up into the mountain and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him. |
| Mark 3:15 | and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke sees Jesus choosing twelve disciples as an intentional echo of Israel's twelve patriarchs, linking the new covenant to the old. He stresses that true ministry requires God-given power to heal souls, but insists this divine call does not dismiss the value of human learning; both are needed.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that Jesus chose twelve apostles to match the twelve tribes of Israel, a familiar symbolic number. He compares the apostles to credible court witnesses: plain, honest men with firsthand knowledge, whose willingness to die proved their sincerity.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin warns readers not to treat this temporary preaching mission as a permanent rule for all ministers. He notes the apostles were sent only to prepare Judea for Christ's own voice; later they would receive a different, worldwide commission. Confusing this short-term assignment with a fixed office has led many astray.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
his twelve disciples ] The first passages in St Mark and St Luke record the choice or calling of the Twelve, this chapter and Mark 6 and Luke 9 narrate the mission or a mission of the disciples. Possibly they were sent forth more than once. sickness … disease ] See note ch. Mat_4:23 , and Mat_9:35 .
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And hee called his twelue disciples vnto him, and gaue them power against vncleane spirits, to cast them out, and to heale euery sickenesse, and euery disease.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill sees the twelve disciples as the New Testament counterpart to the twelve patriarchs of Israel, appointed to spread the Gospel worldwide and plant churches. He also explains that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that the Greek word for power in this verse actually carries two meanings: ability and the right to use it. Luke makes this explicit by using both words. So Jesus both equipped the Twelve for their work and gave them official authorization to do it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws attention to Christ's gradual method: he called the disciples first, kept them in a state of probation and preparation, then later ordained them as apostles. This pattern, Henry argues, serves as an example for the church: those called to ministry should be proved over time before being entrusted with the work.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent observes that the Greek definite article "the" before "disciples" implies they were already chosen, even though the Gospel writer never narrates their selection. The wording treats the choosing as something already known, not being described for the first time.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley observes that Jesus had already selected the twelve from among His larger group of disciples before naming them apostles. He sees the number twelve as intentional, connecting to the twelve patriarchs and the twelve tribes of Israel, giving this choice a deeper covenantal significance.