Matthew 10:41 kjv
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Matthew 10:41 nkjv
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 niv
Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.
Matthew 10:41 esv
The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.
Matthew 10:41 nlt
If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.
Matthew 10 41 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 10:40 | "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me." | Directly links receiving disciples to receiving Jesus & God. |
| Mt 25:35-40 | "...I was a stranger and you welcomed me... as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." | Identifying with Christ through care for His people. |
| Mk 9:41 | "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward." | Promise of reward for small acts of kindness to disciples. |
| Lk 10:16 | "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects Him who sent me." | Authority of messengers tied directly to Jesus and God. |
| 2 Ki 4:8-10 | The Shunammite woman builds a room for Elisha because she discerned he was "a holy man of God," leading to blessings. | OT example of receiving a prophet and being blessed. |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would approach God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him." | God as a rewarder of faith and good works. |
| 1 Cor 3:8 | "...each will receive his own reward according to his labor." | Principle of receiving reward for one's own work/service. |
| Col 3:23-24 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord... knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward..." | Service to others is service to Christ, brings reward. |
| Pr 11:18 | "...he who sows righteousness gets a true reward." | The reward for pursuing righteousness. |
| Is 40:10 | "Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might... behold, his reward is with him..." | God brings His reward with Him. |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." | Jesus' return with recompense for deeds. |
| Gen 18:2-8 | Abraham shows hospitality to three strangers (one is the Lord), leading to the promise of Isaac. | Hospitality to divine messengers brings blessing. |
| Mt 5:12 | "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." | Linking the reward of prophets to their persecution. |
| Mt 5:46 | "...if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?" | Rewards linked to going beyond superficial love. |
| Jer 35:18-19 | The Lord commends and blesses the Rechabites for obeying their forefather's command, upholding righteousness. | God rewards obedience and righteous living. |
| Dan 12:3 | "And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." | Reward for those who lead others to righteousness. |
| 2 Jn 1:8 | "Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward." | Warning to preserve good deeds for full reward. |
| 3 Jn 1:8 | "Therefore we ought to support people like these, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth." | Supporting God's messengers makes one a fellow worker. |
| Rom 1:7 | "...to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace..." | Identifying the righteous as saints beloved by God. |
| Lk 6:35 | "...but love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High..." | Great reward for selfless acts, becoming "sons of the Most High". |
| 1 Cor 9:17 | "For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission." | Paul discussing his reward in ministry. |
Matthew 10 verses
Matthew 10 41 Meaning
This verse declares that showing hospitality, welcome, and support to one identified as a true prophet of God, specifically because of their divine calling and message, will result in receiving the same divine recompense and blessing bestowed upon the prophet themselves. Similarly, extending recognition and care to an upright, godly individual, because they truly embody righteousness, ensures that one shares in the spiritual reward appointed for such righteous persons. The emphasis is on discerning the genuine nature and divine office of the recipient, and acting in accordance with that recognition.
Matthew 10 41 Context
Matthew chapter 10 recounts Jesus commissioning the twelve apostles and sending them out with authority to preach the gospel of the kingdom, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. Jesus provides them with extensive instructions, warnings about persecution, and promises regarding divine care. The preceding verses emphasize the radical commitment required of disciples, including potential family division and taking up their cross. Verses 40-42 serve as a concluding thought on how those hearing the apostles’ message should receive them. Verse 41 specifically broadens the scope from directly receiving the sent ones to recognizing and honoring those with divine callings or genuine righteousness, promising a share in their spiritual reward for such discernment and hospitality. Historically, both prophets and righteous individuals played significant roles in Jewish society, but true prophets were rare and often misunderstood, while righteousness was sometimes associated with outward legalism rather than inner purity. Jesus' words clarify what true reception and a true reward entail.
Matthew 10 41 Word analysis
- He that receiveth (Greek: ὁ δεχόμενος, ho dechomenos): From dechomai (δέχομαι), meaning to accept, welcome, receive, especially to extend hospitality. It implies not just passively taking in but actively welcoming and embracing. In context, it points to providing lodging, food, and support to the itinerant messengers of God.
- a prophet (Greek: προφήτην, prophētēn): A spokesperson for God. In the biblical sense, this doesn't solely mean foretelling the future, but primarily forth-telling God's word and will. This can involve teaching, rebuking, inspiring, and proclaiming divine truth.
- in the name of a prophet (Greek: εἰς ὄνομα προφήτου, eis onoma prophētou): This is a crucial phrase. "In the name of" (εἰς ὄνομα) here does not simply mean by a prophet or because he is named a prophet. It signifies receiving someone as or because they are recognized as a true prophet, identifying with their character, office, and divine commission. It implies discerning their authenticity and honoring their divinely appointed role. It denotes accepting and treating them consistent with their identity as God’s representative.
- shall receive (Greek: λήψεται, lēpsetai): Future tense of lambanō (λαμβάνω), to take, receive, obtain. It denotes a guaranteed outcome or consequence for the action taken.
- a prophet's reward (Greek: μισθὸν προφήτου, misthon prophētou): Misthos (μισθός) refers to wages, pay, recompense, or reward. The reward here is spiritual, from God, reflecting the blessings, commendation, or honor that a true prophet would receive from God for their faithful service. By sharing in their ministry through supportive welcome, one shares in the divine blessing bestowed upon that ministry.
- and he that receiveth a righteous man (Greek: καὶ δεχόμενος δίκαιον, kai dechomenos dikaion): Dikaios (δίκαιος) means just, righteous, upright, virtuous. This refers to someone who is living in conformity to God's standard, a godly person, recognized for their upright character and faithful walk with God. The act of receiving implies the same welcome and hospitality as for a prophet.
- in the name of a righteous man (Greek: εἰς ὄνομα δικαίου, eis onoma dikaiou): Similar to "in the name of a prophet," this means receiving and honoring a righteous person as a genuinely righteous person, discerning and acknowledging their true godly character and walk. It's about recognition and honor given due to their genuine godliness.
- shall receive a righteous man's reward (Greek: μισθὸν δικαίου λήψεται, misthon dikaiou lēpsetai): The divine recompense or blessing appropriate for one who lives a life of righteousness. This is a share in the spiritual blessing and honor that God bestows upon those who faithfully pursue and live out His righteousness.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "He that receiveth ... in the name of...": This pairing highlights discernment and intentionality. It's not indiscriminate charity but a specific recognition of the person's true identity and role—whether divine messenger or true believer—and honoring them precisely because of that God-given identity. This discerning reception validates the recipient's spiritual status and draws divine favor upon the giver. It underscores the spiritual importance of understanding who one is welcoming.
- "...shall receive a prophet's reward... shall receive a righteous man's reward": This emphasizes the principle of shared recompense. By participating in and affirming the ministry or life of a faithful servant of God (a prophet or a righteous person), the supporter becomes a co-laborer, participating in the work to such an extent that they partake in the spiritual blessings and commendation allocated to the servant themselves. The reward is commensurate not just with the act of receiving, but with the discerning motive behind it.
Matthew 10 41 Bonus section
This verse implies a necessary spiritual discernment. One must be able to recognize a true prophet from a false one (as false prophets were a concern then and now), and a genuinely righteous person from someone merely claiming to be so. This discernment is critical for the promise of reward to apply, as supporting a false prophet or a hypocritical "righteous" person would not accrue a divine blessing. The shared "reward" is not about monetary gain, but refers to spiritual blessing, commendation from God, and participation in the eternal glories promised to those who faithfully serve Him. It also highlights the relational aspect of God's economy – what is done for His true servants is taken as done for Him.
Matthew 10 41 Commentary
Matthew 10:41 reveals a profound truth about partnership in God's kingdom and the nature of divine reward. Jesus asserts that supporting and welcoming those who serve God, precisely because they are God's representatives or because of their genuine righteousness, is an act that God will significantly commend. The phrase "in the name of" is crucial, signifying a recognition of their divine calling and identity, not merely offering general kindness. It implies discerning faith that sees God's hand on their lives. Therefore, the one who honors God's prophet as a prophet or a righteous person as righteous is aligning with God's own estimation and purpose for these individuals. Consequently, God regards such an act as though it were participation in their very ministry or righteous walk, thereby extending to the giver a share in the specific heavenly reward due to the prophet or righteous person. This principle extends to all who faithfully support and honor Christ's true ambassadors and genuine believers, illustrating that acts of spiritual recognition and service to His people are deeply valued and justly recompensed by God Himself.