Matthew 10:12 kjv
And when ye come into an house, salute it.
Matthew 10:12 nkjv
And when you go into a household, greet it.
Matthew 10:12 niv
As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
Matthew 10:12 esv
As you enter the house, greet it.
Matthew 10:12 nlt
When you enter the home, give it your blessing.
Matthew 10 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 6:26 | "The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." | Priestly blessing for peace (Shalom). |
| Isa 9:6 | "...and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." | Christ as the source and embodiment of peace. |
| Isa 57:19 | "I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near..." | God offers peace to all. |
| Matt 5:9 | "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." | Importance of bringing and making peace. |
| Matt 10:11 | "And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence." | Precursor: seek a worthy house. |
| Matt 10:13 | "And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it..." | Continuation: the peace sent returns if unworthy. |
| Lk 9:5 | "And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them." | Similar instructions for non-reception. |
| Lk 10:5-6 | "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it..." | Direct parallel to Matthew's instruction. |
| Jn 14:27 | "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you..." | Jesus' unique peace distinct from the world. |
| Jn 20:19 | "...came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." | Jesus' post-resurrection greeting. |
| Acts 10:36 | "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)" | Peter preaching the gospel of peace. |
| Rom 1:7 | "Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." | Common apostolic greeting embodying blessing. |
| Rom 14:17 | "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." | Peace as a component of the Kingdom of God. |
| Rom 15:33 | "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen." | God is the source and bestower of peace. |
| 1 Cor 1:3 | "Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." | Another example of a grace and peace greeting. |
| Eph 2:17 | "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." | Christ as the one who preaches peace to all. |
| Phil 4:7 | "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." | The divine nature and effect of God's peace. |
| Col 3:15 | "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body..." | The peace of Christ as a ruling principle. |
| 1 Thes 5:23 | "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly..." | God as the sanctifier through peace. |
| Heb 12:14 | "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" | Exhortation to pursue peace with all. |
| Heb 13:2 | "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Encouragement of hospitality, linked to receiving visitors. |
| Jas 3:18 | "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." | The fruit of righteousness produced in peace. |
| 1 Pet 3:11 | "Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." | Command to actively seek and pursue peace. |
Matthew 10 verses
Matthew 10 12 Meaning
Matthew 10:12 instructs the twelve disciples, as they embark on their mission, to initiate their interaction with any household by offering a greeting of peace. This greeting, far from being mere social courtesy, signified a declaration of good will and a spiritual blessing intended to discern the receptivity of the household to the message of the Kingdom. It set the tone for their stay, implying a reciprocal exchange of spiritual blessing and physical hospitality.
Matthew 10 12 Context
Matthew 10:12 is part of Jesus' initial charge to His twelve apostles before He sends them out on their first independent mission to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." This chapter details specific instructions regarding their conduct, message, and the reception they should expect. Preceding this verse, Jesus has commissioned them and given them authority (Matt 10:1), instructed them to go only to the Jews (Matt 10:5-6), and commanded them to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, and freely give what they have freely received (Matt 10:7-8). He also told them to travel light, relying entirely on God's provision through the hospitality of others, acquiring no gold, silver, or brass in their purses, no scrip for their journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves (Matt 10:9-10). The instruction to "salute" a house directly follows the command to find a "worthy" house (Matt 10:11), signifying that the greeting serves as a spiritual act of discernment and a formal request for hospitality for the sake of the gospel.
Matthew 10 12 Word analysis
- And: (`Kai` - Greek: καὶ). A common conjunction linking this instruction directly to the previous ones about finding a worthy house. It denotes sequence and connection within the directives.
- when ye come: (`erchomenoi` - Greek: ἐρχόμενοι). A present participle, indicating a continuous or repeated action, meaning "as you are entering" or "upon arriving." It emphasizes the specific moment of entry as the opportune time for this action. This implies an active seeking of hospitality and entrance into a dwelling.
- into an house: (`eis tēn oikian` - Greek: εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν). "House" here (`oikian`) refers not merely to the physical structure but the entire household or family living within it. In ancient culture, a household was the fundamental unit of society, comprising extended family, servants, and guests. This indicates the disciples' mission was directed toward the collective well-being and spiritual state of a family unit, not just an individual.
- salute it: (`aspasasthe` - Greek: ἀσπάσασθε). From `aspazomai` (ἀσπάζομαι), meaning to greet, embrace, salute, bid welcome. This word goes beyond a simple "hello." It denotes a formal, significant act of greeting that often involved a declaration or impartation of blessing, particularly "peace" (`shalom` in Hebrew). In the context of the mission, it implied bringing God's favor, welfare, and peace, and it served as an overture to assess the household's spiritual openness.
- "And when ye come into an house, salute it.": This phrase encapsulates a direct command with a specific setting and action. The disciples are to be active initiators upon entering any dwelling designated for their stay. Their entry and immediate salutation underscore the intentionality of their presence, which is not merely physical but also spiritual. The act of salutation, preceding any other interaction, signals the purpose of their visit – to bring the divine message and peace. It's the primary way they engage and test the ground, an embodiment of the blessing they are authorized to deliver.
Matthew 10 12 Bonus section
The command to "salute it" is deeply rooted in the concept of shalom (peace) in the ancient Near East and Jewish tradition. Shalom encompassed far more than the absence of conflict; it implied wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and completeness. When Jesus commanded His disciples to greet a house with "peace," they were not merely wishing goodwill but actively proposing and conveying the spiritual reality of God's reconciling grace. This greeting was also an integral part of the Eastern custom of hospitality. By offering peace, the disciples were, in essence, presenting themselves as ministers of this peace, thus providing the house an opportunity to align with the Kingdom's message. If accepted, this peace would "rest upon it" (Lk 10:6), establishing a covenantal bond. If rejected, the peace would "return to you" (Matt 10:13), signifying no blessing was imparted to that unresponsive household. This initial act thus served a dual purpose: a declaration of blessing and a discerning filter for worthy recipients of the gospel.
Matthew 10 12 Commentary
Matthew 10:12 provides a foundational directive for the early gospel ministry: begin with an offering of peace. This instruction, given by Jesus, underscores that the disciples' primary offering is not just the proclamation of words but the impartation of the holistic well-being (shalom) that flows from the Kingdom of God. The command to "salute the house" first implies that the burden is on the disciple to initiate the spiritual atmosphere of the visit. It serves as an immediate test of receptivity; the offered peace either finds a dwelling place or returns to the sender, indicating the household's "worthiness." This highlights the proactive and beneficent nature of Christian outreach. It's not a mere social politeness but a powerful spiritual transaction that sets the stage for acceptance or rejection of the gospel message. The example can be seen in believers today offering sincere well-wishes or prayers for peace when entering a new community or engaging with new acquaintances, allowing that spirit to precede their words.