Matthew 10:6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 10:6 (KJV)
Context
Matthew 10 records Jesus sending out His twelve disciples with authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. In verse 6, Jesus tells them where they should focus their ministry: the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This command follows the prohibition in verse 5 against going to Gentiles or Samaritans, emphasizing a focused mission to the Jewish people.
Meaning
In this verse, Jesus refers to the people of Israel as the “lost sheep.” This metaphor signifies that they had strayed from God’s ways and were in need of a shepherd to guide them back to the fold. It emphasizes their spiritual condition and the urgency of their need for salvation. The phrase “lost sheep of the house of Israel” refers to the whole Jewish nation, not just the ten tribes, as some of all tribes were present in Judea. The metaphor depicts Israel as wandering and straying from God, like sheep without a shepherd, in need of spiritual restoration.
Jesus instructs His disciples to go specifically to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This directive reveals God’s redemptive plan for Israel and emphasizes His faithfulness to the covenant He made with them. Jesus came as the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies and promises given to the Jewish people. During His earthly ministry, Jesus primarily focused on preaching and ministering to the Jewish people. This priority is echoed in Matthew 15:24, where Jesus states He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, clarifying His earthly ministry’s focus.
Biblical connections
The instruction also reflects the Old Testament imagery of Israel as straying sheep (Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6). The disciples were to go to them because they were lost in error and sin, and the grace of God is magnified in having regard for such ruined creatures. This mission was to excite the compassion and diligence of the apostles to preach the gospel to them. While Jesus initially sent His disciples to the lost sheep of Israel, His ultimate mission extended beyond the boundaries of Israel. In Matthew 28:19-20, after His resurrection, Jesus commissions His disciples to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.
Application
Although this verse specifically addresses the disciples’ mission to Israel, it carries broader lessons for us today. It reminds us of the importance of sharing the gospel with those who are in spiritual need. Just as Jesus commissioned His disciples to reach out to the lost sheep, we are called to be messengers of the good news, sharing God’s love and salvation with everyone we encounter. The verse underscores the urgency of their need for salvation and the special place Israel held in God’s redemptive plan. While the immediate application was to Israel, the broader principle is that the gospel is to be proclaimed to those in need, beginning with God’s chosen people. The verse does not imply exclusion of Gentiles forever, as later the gospel would go to all nations, but it establishes the order of God’s redemptive history.
Reflection
Matthew 10:6 highlights Jesus’ instructions to His disciples to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It reveals His mission to reconcile and restore His chosen people, emphasising the importance of sharing the gospel with those in need. While this verse has immediate historical and cultural implications, it also reminds us of our responsibility to share the good news and bring salvation to all people.
