Matthew (Written)

Saturday, 21 June 2025

and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“…they said to Him, ‘You, You are ‘the coming,’ or do another we anticipate?” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that John the Baptist had heard about Jesus’ works in prison and sent two of his disciples. Now, it notes that “they said to Him, “You, You are ‘the Coming?’”

One can see the emphatic nature of his question, directly speaking to Jesus with the pronoun su, You, followed by the verb which repeats the thought, You are. John’s question about “the Coming” suggests nothing other than the anticipated Messiah. However, it is debated what he is referring to. Several general suggestions are –

* His faith is failing, and he is wondering if his original thoughts concerning Jesus were incorrect.
* He has heard of the works of Jesus and is not sure if this is the same Person he baptized.
* His disciples need to know that He is the Messiah, and so he sent them to confirm to them that this is the One.
* He is trying to spur Jesus to make his proclamation that He is, in fact, the Messiah.

Proponents of these, and various other scenarios, state their reasons for their view. As for John’s words, they continue with, “or do another we anticipate?”

The word prosdokaó, to anticipate, is introduced. This anticipation can be in thought, in waiting, in hope, in fear, etc. It is derived from pros, to or toward, and dokeuo, to watch. It is as if someone is leaning forward intently, watching for their anticipation to arrive or materialize. What John asks about concerning this anticipation is “another.”

Here he uses the word héteros, another, but of a distinct kind. The word állos, another of the same kind, is not used. John has heard of the works of the Christ. Hearing of them, he is now confused. The works of Jesus have been clearly presented to him, something Jesus will confirm in His response to John. Jesus’ response will imply that He knows John is already aware of those things.

Therefore, John is not questioning his faith in Jesus. He would know full well that this is the same Person he baptized. His disciples also already know He is the proclaimed Messiah. John could have saved them the effort and just reminded them of this.

This is especially so because John 1 records that two of John’s disciples heard his words and followed Jesus. The fact was already known and established. There is no reason to assume that John is trying to spur Jesus to proclaim that He is the Messiah. If that were so, Jesus would have responded as He did with His mother, saying that His hour had not yet come.

The use of “the Christ” in the previous verse could have been substituted with “Jesus.” If that were the case, one could assume John was questioning Jesus as the Christ. The use of the word heteros, another of a different kind, is telling us that John is thinking of another Person who will come to do other types of things for Israel, including securing his release from prison as Isaiah prophesied.

John is turning inward just as Elijah and Jeremiah did. He has temporarily misunderstood that God’s plans may not include his personal comfort or happiness, and he is wondering if someone else would be coming to fulfill the prophecies that Jesus is clearly leaving unfulfilled. Jesus’ response to his petition will confirm this.

Life application: How often do we hear of people prophesying healing, financial breakthrough, the date of the rapture, and so forth? These utterances are complete fabrications without any biblical support for their words. And yet, these are the most popular types of promises, and those who make them generally will have many followers.

Even when their words don’t come true, they will just make up more promises and keep stringing people along. Why does this happen? The answer is that people want to be reassured that their suffering will end. They want to be reassured that their financial woes will be remedied. They want release from the pains, trials, and demands of this life and so they listen to rapture predictors who will give them words of exit into eternal bliss.

This is the human condition. It is not limited to Christianity. This is why there are astrologists, horoscope teachers, palm readers, and ear ticklers in any religion around the world. People want something to meet their expectations, and so they will go to any length to obtain words that will provide an acceptable answer to what they seek.

The Bible does not tell us when the rapture will happen. The Bible does not tell us that we can be healed of afflictions by a call from the pulpit. If you want to get out of your financial woes and alleviate your hunger, the Bible tells you to be industrious and work for it (see 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and spend time in the Proverbs).

God does not promise you a life of ease while here on earth. In fact, we can expect the opposite (John 16:33, etc.). God promises us forgiveness of sins and eternal fellowship with Him when we call on Jesus. Until we are brought to Him at the resurrection/rapture, everything else may be good or it may be bad. We have to accept this and press on in the hope of His future promises. Be sure to have this attitude. When you do, you will avoid many mental pitfalls.

Lord God, help us to keep our focus on Jesus as we walk through this difficult and trial-filled world. May we remember to thank You for each blessing we receive, and may we be faithful to not charge You with wrong when difficult times come. Help us to have this attitude until that great Day when we are finally brought to You when Jesus calls. Amen.

Friday, 20 June 2025

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples… Matthew 11:2

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And John, having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus departed to teach and preach in their cities. It now says, “And John, having heard in the prison.”

The word desmótérion, prison, is introduced. It is derived from desmon, a bond, chain, or fetter. As such, it speaks of a place of bondage, such as a dungeon or prison. The reason for his imprisonment is not recorded until Matthew 14 –

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus ² and said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.’ ³ For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. ⁴ Because John had said to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ ⁵ And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.” Matthew 14:1-5

John is in prison, but it is apparent that he had freedoms while there. In Mark 6, during his time in prison, it says –

“Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.” Mark 6:19, 20

It is during this time in prison that John heard about “the works of the Christ.” Including the article before Christ changes the tone of the narrative –

John heard about the works of Christ.
John heard about the works of the Christ.

What appears to be the intent is that while in prison, John has heard about the things the Christ (the Messiah) had been doing. But one of the things the Messiah was prophesied to do would have affected him personally –

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Isaiah 61:1

Because of his imprisonment and because of the promises stated in Isaiah, John may have been wondering where the disconnect was. Therefore, it says, “having sent two of his disciples.”

This continues to tell us that John had freedoms while in prison. He was allowed to be visited by his disciples and give word to them to go on a mission. As for the words, some texts say dia, through, instead of duo, two. In other words, it would mean he sent a message by his disciples rather than he sent two disciples. Luke 7:19 says duo, two.

Life application: Concerning the difference between through and two above, a few commentaries give their thoughts –

“For ‘two of his disciples’ read, on the best MS. authority, by means of his disciples.” Cambridge

“Possibly the slight difference between διά, the true reading here, and δύο, which is genuine in Luke, points to the common source (observe here a Greek source) having been written, but with the close similarity in sound this need not have been the case. Observe that the true reading lays slightly more emphasis on the fact of the inquiry coming from John himself.” Pulpit Commentary

“Two of his disciples (δύο)
But the correct reading is διά, by. He sent by his disciples. So Rev.” Vincent’s Word Studies

Cambridge says the text which says dia is “the best.” Pulpit says it is “the true reading.” Vincent’s says it is “the correct reading.” Did you accept their thoughts? Did you ask yourself, “How do they know this?” Did you consider that “best” is a subjective word in the manner in which it is being used?

Luke clearly says two. We have ancient witnesses that do not agree, and because one of them is older, it is assumed to be the better, even though it was found later. Why is it necessary to say dia, through, and meaning “by,” when the initiator is already identified? The Pulpit Commentary says that by saying dia, it “lays more emphasis on the fact of the inquiry coming from John himself.” Does it?

And John, having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples…
And John, having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent by his disciples…

Maybe the focus is on the two, not that they were merely his disciples.

As always, be careful not to merely accept some scholar’s words without questioning how they came to their conclusions. Seemingly strong arguments will often not seem as strong when an alternate and opposing evaluation is suggested. You will only get out of your time in the word what you put into it. Take commentaries with a grain of salt, but don’t hesitate to read and consider them, even when they come to different conclusions.

Lord God, thank You for challenging us with Your word. It is a treasure trove of delight. But You have allowed man to transmit it from its originals. Men are faulty, and so help us to identify where things may have been incorrectly copied or intentionally manipulated. Give us wisdom in Your precious word. Amen.

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. Matthew 11:1

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And it was, when Jesus, He finished through-arranging His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and proclaim in their cities” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus finished up His words to the apostles concerning their commission to go forth and preach the gospel. Chapter 11 begins with, “And it was, when Jesus, He finished through-arranging His twelve disciples.” Of the words, “And it was, when Jesus, He finished…” The Pulpit Commentary notes –

The same formula recurs in Matthew 7:28; Matthew 13:53; Matthew 19:1; and Matthew 26:1. In all five cases, it marks the end of important speeches.

Because of this, we know that the direction of thought will make a change, and it does. In Matthew’s note, a new word diatassó is used. It is from dia, through, and tassó, to arrange, assign, appoint, etc. Thus, it speaks of thoroughly arranging a matter. It thus gives the sense of Jesus having completely instructed His apostles, preparing them for what lay ahead. With them properly and thoroughly instructed, it next says that “He departed thence.”

Where “thence” is, cannot be defined. The last hint of any location they were at was as Chapter 9 was ending –

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. ³⁸ Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” Matthew 9:35-38

Thus, this instruction probably came at some unrecorded point along their travels throughout the Galilee. With that noted, another difficult set of words arises, noting that He left there “to teach and proclaim in their cities.”

The words themselves are not complicated, but it begs the question, “Who is ‘their’ referring to?” The nearest personal antecedent would be the twelve disciples. As such, one would think it would be either the towns where they had gone to or maybe the cities where they were from. However, it may be Matthew making a general statement about the cities of the Galilee. This is how Vincent’s Word Studies and some others take the words.

Life application: Jesus carefully instructed those He was sending forth so that they would be prepared for what lay ahead. Some of His instructions apply to things that would happen in the distant future in relation to Israel, demonstrating that His words carry beyond the immediate disciples listening to His instruction.

However, they are words that apply to evangelizing Israel. The context needs to be maintained. If not, people will incorrectly insert themselves into the narrative, and faulty connections will be inevitable. Continue to remember this as Matthew and the other synoptic gospels are read.

There are various truths that Jesus will state at times that apply in any situation and to anybody. But the specific directions and prophesied events He speaks of apply to Israel, not the church. By keeping this in mind, His words will always fit harmoniously with the rest of the New Testament.

When the church is inappropriately inserted, there will be conflicts between what Jesus says and what is presented later in the epistles. Israel, as a nation, eventually rejected Jesus. They will be exiled and receive the curses of the law until a set time when they will be regathered. At some point, the church will be removed, and the attention of the Lord will predominantly be on Israel once again.

With Israel back in the land, we can assume that this change is coming sooner rather than later. Although the day is unknown and will come without any advanced notice (1 Thessalonians 5:1), it will come. Until then, remember that Israel is not the church nor has it been replaced by the church. With this understanding, there will be no contradictory thoughts between Jesus’ words and those of the epistles.

Lord God, one step at a time, You are working through history to bring all things back to the state of perfection that was lost so long ago. Help us to see clearly how You are doing these things and to rightly divide Your word according to this marvelous plan. Yes, Lord, give us insights into these wonderful things. Amen.

Wednesday, 18 June 2025

And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And whoever, if he should give drink to one of these least a cup of cold water, only in a disciple’s name, amen, I say to you, no – not he should lose his reward” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus told the apostles that receiving a prophet means receiving a prophet’s reward, and receiving a righteous person means receiving a righteous person’s reward. Stepping down another level, He continues with, “And whoever, if he should give drink.”

Here is a new word, potizó. It signifies to give a drink or irrigate, being derived from pinó, to drink. The word is similar to potabilis, the Latin etymological root of our modern-day word potable, a word signifying fit to drink. This giving of drink is next said to be “to one of these least.”

Another new word is used, mikros, little or least. It can refer to people who are little in society or within the family (as in the little brother of…), it can be used to identify the smallest type of seed, the smallest in stature, or a little in distance.

The gradations of authority thus far tell us that “these least” is not merely referring to little children, but to anyone who is undeveloped in theology but who bears the name of Christ –

Receives Me -> receives -> Him who sent Me.
Receives prophet -> receives -> prophet’s reward.
Receives righteous -> receives -> righteous man’s reward.
Receives these least ->…

The meaning of these least may be inclusive of children, but that is not the main intent, as if Jesus were saying little children were innocent. The intent is that it refers to anyone, child or adult, who bears His name.

Jeremiah was only a youth when called (Jeremiah 1:7), but he was a prophet of the Lord. A plumber may not understand deep theology, but he can still say, “I am a Christian and I love Jesus with all my heart.” Of this little individual, it next says, “a cup of cold water.”

Both words are new. The first, potérion, signifies a cup. It is also derived from pinó. Being a cup, it gives the sense of a full cup of water. The second word, psuchros, is an adjective signifying chilly or cold. It can be literal, or it can refer to being cold-hearted or cold in attitude. The latter is reflected in the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:15 when he told those at Laodicea that He wished they were either hot or cold. As for His words now, He continues with, “only in a disciple’s name…”

The word only is referring to the little one just described. If a person gives a cup of cold water in a disciple’s name, meaning a disciple of Jesus. Then Jesus finishes with, “amen, I say to you, no – not he should lose his reward.”

The sense here is that the plumber has said he is a Christian. He is a disciple of Jesus. Someone might say, “Don’t give him a thing. No job, no recommendation, and not a cup of water.” But someone hearing might say, “He has identified with Jesus. I am now identifying with Jesus by helping him with this cup of cold water. He isn’t Jesus, he isn’t a prophet, he isn’t a righteous man, but he is still a follower of Jesus and is deserving of my help.” Such a person will receive his reward for the act of kindness to this least of Jesus’ disciples.

Life application: In Israel, outside of the Holocaust memorial, there is a garden called the Righteous Among the Nations Garden. Trees are planted in the name of someone who has somehow helped the nation of Israel.

This is a nice memorial, and it stands as a witness to those who have made some sort of contribution or sacrifice for the Jewish people. It is right that Christians support the nation because God’s word promises they will someday be brought into the covenant and restored as His particular people. Those who understand this and support the nation for this reason should be applauded.

Despite this, the Jews as a people rejected Jesus. Those who have not accepted Him will be eternally separated from them. There is no salvation just for being a Jew. On the other hand, there is salvation for everyone who has believed the true gospel, which is based on the true Jesus, as described in the Bible. The righteous among the nations, according to the Bible, are those – Jews or Gentiles – who have received Jesus Christ by faith.

Those who have received Him and those who have identified with Him, even to the least of them, will receive their reward for doing so. Not a single act of beneficence will be left unrewarded. While earthly trees are planted to remember deeds for helping the Jewish people, God will bestow heavenly blessings upon those whose deeds have been directed to followers of Christ.

God is perfectly just and perfectly fair. Those who are in Christ are a part of Him and are in intimate union with God because of Him. In identifying with His followers, one identifies with Him. Be assured that if this is so, how much more is God watching over you!?

If you are suffering from financial distress, cancer or some other physical affliction, family disharmony, or any other thing that is eating at your soul, don’t think God has forgotten you. He has not. He is there with you, allowing whatever has come about for His own purposes. Be assured of this. Life is tough, but eternity lies ahead. Because of Jesus, you are remembered and will be forever tended to by your heavenly Father.

Lord God, help us to have an eternal and heavenly perspective in our minds. It is tough, especially when the world is bringing us down. But we know that by fixing our eyes, hearts, and minds on You, we can make it through until the day You call us to Yourself. Help us in this, O heavenly Father. Amen.

Matthew 10 (CG)

10 And having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave them authority – unclean spirits, so to eject them, and to cure every disease and every malady. ² And the twelve apostles, the names, they are these: First, Simon, being called Peter, and Andrew, his brother. James the ‘of Zebedee,’ and John, his brother. ³ Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, the taxman. Jacob the ‘of Alphaeus,’ and Lebbaios, having been denominated Thaddaeus. ⁴ Simon the Kananaios, and Judas Iscariot, the ‘also having betrayed Him.’

⁵ These, the twelve, He sent – Jesus – having notified them, saying, “Into Gentiles’ way, not you shall go. And into Samaritans’ city, not you shall enter.” ⁶ And you rather go to the sheep, the ‘having been lost’ – house, Israel. ⁷ And going, you proclaim, saying that ‘It has neared – the kingdom of the heavens.’ ⁸ Being feeble – you cure, leprous – you cleanse, dead – you rouse, demons – you eject. Freely you received, freely you give. ⁹ Not you shall acquire gold nor silver nor copper into your girdles, ¹⁰ nor pouch in the way, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staff. For the toiler, he is worthy of his food.

¹¹ And into what city or village you shall enter, you inquire who in her, he is worthy. And there you remain until if you shall depart. ¹² And entering into the house, you greet it. ¹³ And indeed, if the house, it should be worthy, it came – your peace – upon it. And if not it should be worthy, your peace, it returns to you. ¹⁴ And who, if not he should receive you nor he should hear your words, departing the house or that city, you out-swing the dust of your feet! ¹⁵ Amen! I say to you, it will be sufferable – land Sodom and Gomorrah – on judgment day than that city.

¹⁶ You behold! I, I send you as sheep in wolves’ midst. You become, therefore, sagacious as the serpents and simple as the doves. ¹⁷ And you caution from the men. For they will deliver you to the councils, and in their synagogues they will flog you. ¹⁸ And also upon governors and kings, you will be brought because of Me for a testimony to them and the Gentiles. ¹⁹ And when they should deliver you, not you should be disquieted how or what you should say. It will be given for you in that hour what you should say, ²⁰ for you, you are not those speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, the ‘speaking in you.’

²¹ And brother, he will deliver brother to death, and father, child. And children, they will over-stand up upon parents, and they will kill them. ²² And being hated, you will be by all through My name. And the ‘having endured to the end,’ he – he will be saved. ²³ And when they should pursue you in this city, you flee to the other. Amen! I say to you no, not you should have completed the cities of Israel until if He should come, the Son of Man.

²⁴ A disciple, he is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his lord. ²⁵ The disciple – sufficient that he should become as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they called the house-master Beelzebul, how much more those – his household! ²⁶ Therefore, not you should fear them. For nothing, it is, having been covered which not it will be revealed, and secret which not it will be known.

²⁷ What I tell you in the darkness, you speak in the light, and what to the ear you hear, proclaim upon the roofs! ²⁸ And you fear not from those killing the body, and the soul not being able to kill. But more you fear the ‘being able also soul and body to destroy in Gehenna.’ ²⁹ Not are sold two sparrows – assarion? And one from, them not it will fall upon the earth without your Father. ³⁰ And you! Even the hairs of the head, they are all having been enumerated. ³¹ Therefore, not you should fear, many sparrows you excel – you!

³² All, therefore, whoever he will assent in Me before men, I will assent – I also – in him before My Father, the ‘in the heavens.’ ³³ And if, whoever, he should deny Me before men, I will deny – I also – him before My Father, the ‘in heavens.’

³⁴ Not you should deem that I came to cast peace upon the earth. Not I came to cast peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I came to sunder man against his father, and daughter against her mother, and bride against her mother-in-law, ³⁶ and the man’s enemies – his household. ³⁷ The ‘affectionating father or mother’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me. And the ‘loving son or daughter’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me. ³⁸ And who not, he receives his cross and he follows after Me, not he is worthy of Me. ³⁹ The ‘having found his soul,’ he will lose it, and the ‘having lost his soul’ because of Me, he will find it.

⁴⁰ The ‘receiving you,’ Me receives. And the ‘Me receiving,’ he receives the ‘having sent Me.’ ⁴¹ The ‘receiving a prophet’ in a prophet’s name, a prophet’s reward he will receive. And the ‘receiving a righteous’ in a righteous’ name, a righteous’ reward he will receive. ⁴² And whoever, if he should give drink to one of these least a cup of cold water, only in a disciple’s name, amen, I say to you, no – not he should lose his reward.

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. Matthew 10:41

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“The ‘receiving a prophet’ in a prophet’s name, a prophet’s reward he will receive. And the ‘receiving a righteous’ in a righteous’ name, a righteous’ reward he will receive” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus said, “The ‘receiving you,’ Me receives. And the ‘Me receiving,’ he receives the ‘having sent Me.’” In a similar manner, He now steps down the level of reception, saying, “The ‘receiving a prophet’ in a prophet’s name, a prophet’s reward he will receive.”

This is obviously referring to a true prophet of the Lord. Although the reciprocal could still hold true. Someone receiving a false prophet, if taken in and accepting of his message, will eventually receive the false prophet’s same fate. But that is not the intent here.

Of the prophet, in the Old Testament, he was the highest form of believer in God, having a word issued from God through Him. Although not necessarily an ambassador, he is one who speaks the word of the Lord. In Genesis 20:7, Abraham is specifically said to be a prophet of God. Moses notes he is a prophet in Deuteronomy 18:18.

In receiving such a person, there is an acknowledgment that what the prophet receives, the person will also receive. Although Jesus is probably referring to the reception of rewards in the next life, it is a truth that accompanied some in their earthly lives.

In 1 Kings 17, the widow of Zarephath received Elijah. In turn, she received a supply of food during the drought that consumed the land. In Jeremiah 39, Ebed-Melech tended to Jeremiah the prophet, and the Lord promised to deliver him during the terrible siege upon the city.

Likewise, in Jeremiah 45, Baruch the scribe was given words of assurance from the Lord for his faithfulness to the word of the Lord through Jeremiah. As for a later prophet’s reward, meaning at the resurrection, one is recorded in Daniel 12 –

“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13

Based on Jesus’ words, it can be assumed that those who are saved and raised at the resurrection, and who received Daniel, would receive a similar inheritance. Next, Jesus says, “And the ‘receiving a righteous’ in a righteous’ name, a righteous’ reward he will receive.”

This is another step down the ladder, going from the prophet to the righteous. The categories are set, just as they are in the list given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:28. This demonstrates the wisdom of God in apportioning out His gifts and His grace in various ways.

As for the righteous, the Bible, even during the times of the law, identifies them as those who are of faith. This is made explicit in Hebrews 11, where those of faith are spoken of as righteous. Rahab the harlot received the spies and received her reward because of that. As in the prophet, it can be assumed that this truth goes beyond this life, though.

Those who receive the righteous, holding to their standard themselves, will receive the resurrection of the righteous and what it entails. Jesus is making a point about rewards. This thought will continue in the next verse.

Life application: In Matthew 11:11, Jesus says –

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

One reason for Jesus’ word is certainly that a person who has entered the kingdom of heaven, meaning that which is promised through the Messiah, has received all of what has been spoken of since the beginning, as outlined in the received word.

In receiving the word that speaks of God’s plan, we have received the prophet through whom that word came. In receiving the words of the writings of the gospels, we have received those who authored those books. And in receiving the words of the apostles as written in the epistles, we have received those apostles who penned them.

But people receive the words at various levels of faith. There are those who say they believe Paul was an apostle, but they don’t accept everything he says. For example, they may attend a church with a female pastor, something Paul’s writings forbid.

This will not affect their salvation (assuming they are truly saved), but it will affect their rewards. They have not truly received Paul in the fullest sense. The judgment seat of Christ is something that lies ahead for all believers. Our eternal rewards and losses will be based on our faith and our deeds done in faith.

This must be inclusive of how we receive and apply the word of God to our lives. What level of understanding are you willing to attain concerning God’s word? The church you select, the Bible studies you attend, the manner in which you accept the doctrines contained within the word, etc., are certainly all a part of how God is evaluating you.

Many in the world have never had a copy of the Bible. They lived by faith but without a fuller understanding of the word. Many today hunger for a copy of the word in their own language, waiting years to receive a translation to hold and cherish.

In Western countries, we have innumerable translations available at our fingertips. And yet, who among those who believe has read even a single translation from beginning to end?

The more you are willing to receive, the greater will be the return on your investment of time, doctrine, and closer fellowship. Be sure to make the word an integral and intimate part of your life.

Heavenly Father, help us to think clearly about how we tend to Your word. It is our connection to understanding You and what You have done in the stream of human existence, culminating in the coming of Christ Jesus. How can we ignore such a gift? May it not be so in our lives. Amen.