Matthew 10:1 kjv

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.

Matthew 10:1 nkjv

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Matthew 10:1 niv

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Matthew 10:1 esv

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

Matthew 10:1 nlt

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 1 Meaning

Matthew 10:1 records the significant moment when Jesus, by His sovereign authority, summoned His twelve chosen disciples and formally empowered them. He granted them the specific right and capacity (authority) to confront and expel malevolent spiritual entities—termed "unclean spirits"—and to heal all forms of human illness and weakness. This delegation of power marked the beginning of their official ministry, allowing them to mirror Christ's own actions and manifest the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 10 1 Context

This verse introduces a pivotal phase in Jesus' ministry—the commissioning of the twelve apostles for their specific mission. It immediately follows Matthew chapter 9, where Jesus expresses profound compassion for the multitudes, seeing them "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Mt 9:36), and calls for laborers into the harvest (Mt 9:37-38). Thus, the empowerment of the disciples in Mat 10:1 is a direct response to the spiritual and physical needs of the people and the urgent need to extend the Kingdom message. Historically and culturally, first-century Judaism anticipated a Messiah who would bring not only spiritual renewal but also deliverance from physical suffering and demonic oppression. Jesus, by delegating His authority, demonstrated that the promised age of redemption was arriving through Him and His chosen representatives. This act distinguished His movement from ordinary healers or charlatans of the day, as His authority was divinely endowed and extended through others.

Matthew 10 1 Word analysis

• And when he had called (προσκαλεσάμενος - proskalesamenos): "summoned to himself." This Greek participle denotes Jesus' deliberate, authoritative initiative in assembling this specific group. It emphasizes intentionality and the divine origin of the commissioning, not a self-initiated gathering by the disciples.
• unto him: Underscores that the call and subsequent endowment came directly from Jesus, asserting His unique position of authority.
• his twelve disciples (τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ - tous dōdeka mathētas autou): "the twelve learners/students of Him." "Twelve" is highly symbolic, mirroring the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying a foundational group for the "new Israel" or the reconstituted people of God. "Disciples" highlights their role as apprentices learning directly from Jesus, chosen to emulate and extend His teachings and works.
• he gave them (ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς - edōken autois): "He gave them." This highlights the divine bestowal; the power is not inherent in the disciples themselves but is a gift, a delegated capacity originating solely from Christ.
• power (ἐξουσίαν - exousian): Crucially, this Greek word is best translated as "authority" or "right," not simply brute "strength" or "might" (δύναμις - dynamis). It implies delegated authority, a granted right, privilege, or warrant to act with permission and control, rooted in Christ's ultimate and supreme authority.
• against unclean spirits (πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων - pneumatōn akathartōn): "of spirits ritually/morally impure." This specifically refers to demonic entities, spirits opposed to God's holiness and good, causing defilement and oppression. The term "unclean" reflects their opposition to God's pure nature and their association with sin and spiritual defilement.
• to cast them out (ὥστε ἐκβάλλειν αὐτά - hōste ekballein auta): "so as to expel them," "to drive them out forcibly." This signifies decisive, forceful action to remove demonic influence and possession, demonstrating superiority over evil forces.
• and to heal (θεραπεύειν - therapeuein): "to care for, to restore to health." This term points to compassionate action leading to recovery and well-being, indicating the restorative nature of the disciples' ministry.
• all manner of sickness (πᾶσαν νόσον - pasan noson): "every acute illness, specific disease." Refers to particular ailments or afflictions.
• and all manner of disease (καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν - kai pasan malakian):"and every infirmity, weakness." This broadens the scope to include general weakness, chronic conditions, or incapacitations. The combined phrase "all manner of sickness and all manner of disease" signifies a comprehensive and unlimited scope of physical ailments over which the disciples were given authority.

Words-group analysis:

• "he had called unto him his twelve disciples": This phrase emphasizes the deliberate and intentional nature of Jesus' action. The chosen "twelve" are not self-appointed but divinely selected and uniquely commissioned. This echoes the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the re-establishment of God's people under a new covenant, founded on Christ's chosen apostles.
• "he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out": This segment highlights Jesus' sovereign dominion over the realm of evil and His willingness to share this authority with His representatives. The ability to cast out demons was a hallmark sign of the Kingdom's arrival, validating Jesus' claims and now, His disciples' ministry. This direct authority means His followers participate in the ongoing victory over darkness.
• "and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease": This expansive clause points to the comprehensive nature of the healing ministry Jesus authorized. It encompasses all physical suffering, demonstrating divine compassion and proving the authenticity of the disciples' message. Healing, alongside exorcism, served as undeniable proof that God's power was active among them, bringing restoration and testifying to the in-breaking of God's Kingdom in a tangible way.

Matthew 10 1 Bonus section

• The authority granted to the "twelve" here was specific to their unique foundational role as apostles and was instrumental for validating their early witness in Israel, preceding the fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). While the Spirit empowers all believers for various ministries and gifts (1 Cor 12), the direct, universal commission for healing and exorcism bestowed on the apostles here was particular to their inaugural office and mission.
• This verse establishes that power in Christian ministry is not self-generated but is derived from and dependent upon Jesus Christ. Disciples operate under His authority, not their own.
• The selection of "twelve" points to the re-formation of God's covenant people. Just as there were twelve tribes of Israel, there are now twelve apostles forming the foundation of the New Testament church.

Matthew 10 1 Commentary

Matthew 10:1 stands as a foundational text for understanding apostolic ministry. Jesus, as the ultimate authority, deliberately summons a specific group—the "twelve"—and formally delegates His own power (exousia) to them. This delegation is comprehensive, empowering them specifically against "unclean spirits" and "all manner of sickness and disease." This twin capacity reflects the holistic nature of Jesus' mission to overcome the physical and spiritual manifestations of evil. The ability to cast out demons was paramount, signifying the clash between God's Kingdom and the kingdom of darkness, asserting divine sovereignty over demonic oppression. Healing the sick, equally significant, demonstrated divine compassion and mercy, validating the messengers' identity and confirming their message that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. This initial commissioning was crucial for establishing the early testimony of Christ and laid the groundwork for the spread of the Gospel, where miraculous signs accompanied the proclamation of the word.