Matthew 10:11 kjv

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

Matthew 10:11 nkjv

"Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.

Matthew 10:11 niv

Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.

Matthew 10:11 esv

And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.

Matthew 10:11 nlt

"Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town.

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 11 Meaning

This verse instructs Jesus' disciples, when entering any city or village during their mission, to diligently seek out a house or individual deemed "worthy" of receiving their message and ministry. Once such a host is identified, they are to remain in that specific dwelling until their work in that locale is completed and they depart for the next. This directive emphasizes discerning spiritual receptivity and stability in lodging, preventing superficial movements between homes for personal comfort, and fostering deep, focused engagement with those who embrace the Gospel.

Matthew 10 11 Context

Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus' pivotal discourse delivering specific instructions to His twelve disciples before He sends them out on their first independent mission. This missionary discourse (verses 5-42) outlines their authority, purpose, conduct, and what they might expect during their travels. Directly preceding verse 11, Jesus had commanded them not to take gold, silver, brass, or extra provisions (Matt 10:9-10), emphasizing their dependence on God's provision through others. Thus, Matthew 10:11 provides practical guidance on how to secure lodging and sustain themselves without actively seeking monetary gain, focusing instead on seeking out receptive and hospitable individuals. Culturally, in ancient Jewish society, public inns were rare and often disreputable; travelers largely depended on private hospitality, making the choice of a host house crucial for reputation and safety. This verse emphasizes spiritual discernment over personal convenience in finding lodging, ensuring the disciples would remain focused on their mission and avoid any perception of opportunism or materialism.

Matthew 10 11 Word analysis

• And into whatsoever city (Καὶ εἰς ἣν δ’ ἂν πόλιν - Kai eis hēn d' an polin):
  • πόλιν (polin): city. Refers to any sizable population center, implying the scope of their mission beyond small villages.
  • This phrase signifies the universal application of the instruction to all places they visit.
• or town (ἢ κώμην - ē kōmēn):
  • κώμην (kōmēn): village, small town. This addition indicates that the mission extended to all types of settlements, from large urban areas to small rural communities.
  • Ensures comprehensive coverage of their outreach.
• ye shall enter (εἰσέλθητε - eiselthēte):
  • Meaning: enter, go in. Simple directive for their arrival.
  • Highlights the initial step of their mission upon reaching a new locality.
• enquire (ἐξετάσατε - exetasate):
  • Meaning: inquire, seek out, search carefully, examine. More than a casual question, it implies diligent investigation and discernment.
  • Significance: The disciples are not to haphazardly pick a house or wait for an invitation, but to actively seek out specific qualities in their host. This involves spiritual discernment and perhaps observing reputations.
  • This word emphasizes active judgment and careful selection.
• who in it is worthy (τίς ἐν αὐτῇ ἄξιός - tis en autē axios):
  • ἄξιός (axios): worthy, deserving, fitting, suitable.
  • Significance: This refers not necessarily to wealth or social standing, but to spiritual and moral suitability, a receptiveness to the Gospel message, and an upright character that would be honorable for the messengers of the Kingdom. The parallel in Luke 10:6 speaks of a "son of peace," someone open to the divine peace offered by the disciples.
  • It denotes a person whose disposition or life aligns with the values of the kingdom and who would welcome its message and its representatives sincerely.
• and there abide (κἀκεῖ μείνατε - kakei meinate):
  • μείνατε (meinate): remain, stay, continue, dwell.
  • Significance: This is a direct command to settle in that specific house. It forbids the practice of moving from house to house in search of better accommodations, food, or social prestige. This prevents giving the appearance of being unstable, demanding, or exploiting hospitality.
  • It signifies commitment to the host and avoiding frivolity or perceived greed.
• till ye go thence (ἕως ἂν ἐξέλθητε ἐκεῖθεν - heōs an exelthēte ekeithen):
  • Meaning: until you depart from there (the specific city/town).
  • Significance: The instruction is clear: once a worthy host is found, that home serves as their base for the duration of their ministry in that specific city or village, not just for a night or two. This ensures stability, fosters trust, and demonstrates the disciples' sincerity and lack of materialism. It reinforces the singular focus on the mission rather than personal comfort.

Words-Group by words-Group analysis

• "And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter": This establishes the universal scope of the directive, covering all possible locations where the disciples might carry out their ministry. It is a broad command applying to all geographic contexts.
• "enquire who in it is worthy": This phrase highlights the critical importance of discernment. The mission is not indiscriminate; the disciples are called to identify receptive hearts and genuine character. The 'worthiness' sought here points to spiritual receptivity and uprightness, someone who would be a 'son of peace' (Luke 10:6). This process is active, not passive.
• "and there abide till ye go thence": This forms a core behavioral instruction. Once a worthy host is found, stability is key. It forbids the act of moving houses within the same location, which could imply discontent, a search for better comforts, or even being perceived as a swindler moving from home to home. This ensures the disciples' integrity, shows commitment to their host, and eliminates any appearance of being burdensome or parasitic, maintaining the dignity and focus of their Gospel ministry.

Matthew 10 11 Bonus section

• Discernment as a Spiritual Gift: The instruction "enquire who in it is worthy" implies a necessary level of spiritual discernment for effective ministry, an ability to perceive hearts and attitudes (1 Cor 12:10 speaks of discerning of spirits). This is vital for those bearing God's message.
• Cultural Relevance of Hospitality: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, hospitality was a sacred duty and a profound aspect of social life. By giving these specific instructions, Jesus affirmed the necessity of such provision for His workers while simultaneously protecting their reputation and the message they carried from exploitation or abuse of this sacred tradition.
• Avoiding Fickleness: The directive "abide till ye go thence" combats the human tendency to seek better or more convenient circumstances, underscoring that stability and steadfastness in ministry outweigh personal comfort or perceived gain.
• Stewardship of Resources (Time & Energy): By staying in one place, the disciples would avoid wasting time and energy on finding new lodgings, allowing them to concentrate fully on their primary mission of proclaiming the Kingdom.

Matthew 10 11 Commentary

Matthew 10:11 is a foundational instruction for those carrying the message of the Kingdom, emphasizing discernment, integrity, and focus. Upon entering a new locale, the apostles were to actively seek out individuals whose lives or disposition demonstrated spiritual receptivity, indicating they were "worthy" of receiving the Gospel and its messengers. This "worthiness" implies more than social status; it speaks to a sincere heart open to God's truth, possibly aligning with what Luke terms a "son of peace." Once such a host was identified, the command was to "abide" in that single house for the entire duration of their stay in that city. This instruction served multiple vital purposes: it upheld the integrity of the disciples by preventing them from appearing as transient opportunists seeking better lodging or financial gain; it fostered stable relationships between the missionaries and their hosts, crucial for the work's longevity; and it kept their focus on the spiritual mission rather than worldly comforts or status. This commitment also showed respect for the host and the hospitality offered. The passage underscores that genuine ministry is characterized by spiritual sensitivity, contentment, and a clear, undivided commitment to the Gospel message, free from worldly distractions.