Matthew 10:41
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Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
He that receiveth a prophet--one divinely commissioned to deliver a message from heaven. Predicting future events was no necessary part of a prophet's office, especially as the word is used in the New Testament. in the name of a prophet--for his office's sake and love to his master. (See Kg2 4:9 and see on Kg2 4:10). shall receive a prophet's reward--What an encouragement to those who are not prophets! (See Joh 3:5-8). and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man--from sympathy with his character and esteem for himself as such shall receive a righteous man's reward--for he must himself have the seed of righteousness who has any real sympathy with it and complacency in him who possesses it.
Open source ↗This chapter is an ordination sermon, which our Lord Jesus preached, when he advanced his twelve disciples to the degree and dignity of apostles. In the close of the foregoing chapter, he had stirred up them and others to pray that God would send forth labourers, and here we have an immediate answer to that prayer: while they are yet speaking he hears and performs. What we pray for, according to Christ's direction, shall be given, Now here we have, I. The general commission that was given them (Mat 10:1). II. The names of the persons to whom this commission was given (Mat 10:2-4). III. The instructions that were given them, which are very full and particular; 1. Concerning the services they were to do; their preaching; their working miracles; to whom they must apply themselves; how they must behave themselves; and in what method they must proceed (Mat 10:5-15). 2. Concerning the sufferings they were to undergo. They are told what they should suffer, and from whom; counsels are given them what course to take when persecuted, and encouragements to bear up cheerfully under their sufferings (v. 16-42). These things, though primarily intended for direction to the apostles, are of use to all Christ's ministers, with whom, by his word, Christ, and will be always to end the world.
Open source ↗10:41 The same reward as a prophet (literally A prophet’s reward) means either the same reward a prophet would receive or the benefit of the prophet’s ministry. • Righteous people are those who conform their behavior to God’s law as taught by both John the Baptist (21:32) and Jesus (see 3:15), and therefore are approved by God (13:43, 49; 25:37-46).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”
If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Gaius, who has hosted me and all the church, sends you greetings. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you greetings, as does our brother Quartus.
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.