Meaning of Matthew 10:6

Jesus' command in Matthew 10:6, "Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel," directs his disciples' initial evangelistic mission specifically towards the Jewish people. This instruction is not a permanent exclusion of Gentiles but a strategic prioritization within the unfolding redemptive plan of God. At this stage of Jesus' ministry, his primary focus, and that of his immediate followers, was to present himself as the Messiah to his own people. The metaphor of "lost sheep" alludes to the spiritual state of Israel, often depicted in the Old Testament as straying from God, needing a shepherd to gather and guide them. This redirection from a broader, potentially indiscriminate outreach to a targeted one underscores the importance of fulfilling existing covenantal responsibilities before expanding the message.

Context and Background

This directive is given as Jesus commissions his twelve disciples for their first mission trip, described in Matthew 10:1-15. Prior to this, Jesus had been ministering extensively in Galilee, calling disciples and performing miracles. The disciples are sent out with specific instructions to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons, all as signs of the coming Kingdom of God. The emphasis on "lost sheep of Israel" is a crucial delimitation of their immediate audience. It reflects the understanding that Jesus, as the Messiah, was sent first to the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24). This aligns with prophecies that foretold the Messiah's coming primarily to his own people, with the salvation subsequently extending to the Gentiles.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are prioritization, covenantal focus, and divine mission. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs within the covenant community first. This is not an act of exclusion but of fulfilling a divinely ordained order. The message also highlights the compassion of God, viewing the people not as enemies but as lost and in need of spiritual guidance. The disciples are to act as shepherds, mirroring God's own role as the shepherd of Israel.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For the disciples, this meant a focused effort to bring the message of repentance and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God to their fellow Jews. Spiritually, it teaches the principle of witnessing within one's own community and sphere of influence first. While the ultimate commission is to go to all nations (Matthew 28:19), there is a wisdom in starting with those who are most accessible and for whom there is a pre-existing relational or covenantal connection. It also underscores the idea that salvation is offered first to those within the "household of faith" or, in this case, the covenant people.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This instruction is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 53:6) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 50:6) spoke of Israel as lost sheep. Jesus, by identifying himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and sending his disciples to the "lost sheep," is fulfilling these prophetic pronouncements and demonstrating his messianic identity. The eventual extension of the gospel to the Gentiles, as seen in the ministries of Peter and Paul, is the subsequent unfolding of God's salvific plan, but it begins with this focused outreach to Israel.

Analogies

One analogy is a family reunion. Before inviting distant acquaintances, one might prioritize gathering and ministering to immediate family members who are in need. Another analogy is a doctor tending to their own practice. While a doctor may have the skills to help anyone, their primary responsibility and focus are often within their established patient base, especially those who have been with them the longest and know them best. Similarly, Jesus, as the Messiah, was first and foremost the King and Savior of Israel.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 15:24: Jesus states, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This verse directly supports and elaborates on the instruction given to the disciples in Matthew 10:6.
• Luke 24:47: After his resurrection, Jesus commands his disciples, "and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem." This shows the progression from a focused start to a universal outreach.
• Acts 1:8: Jesus promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This maps out the expansion of the witness, starting locally and moving outward.
• Romans 1:16: Paul declares, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." This highlights the order of salvation historically presented in the New Testament.