Matthew 10 42

Matthew 10:42 kjv

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Matthew 10:42 nkjv

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 niv

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."

Matthew 10:42 esv

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

Matthew 10:42 nlt

And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 42 Meaning

Matthew 10:42 teaches that even the smallest act of service or kindness, specifically a gift as humble as a cup of cold water, when given to a genuine disciple of Jesus because they are a disciple, will certainly not go unrewarded by God. It highlights the divine significance of demonstrating practical love and hospitality towards Christ's humble messengers, affirming that such acts are seen by Jesus as though done directly to Him and are met with assured divine recompense.

Matthew 10 42 Context

Matthew 10:42 concludes Jesus' extended "Missionary Discourse," where He instructs and empowers His twelve disciples before sending them out to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. The preceding verses (Mt 10:40-41) establish the crucial principle that receiving one of Jesus' messengers is equivalent to receiving Jesus Himself, and ultimately, receiving God who sent Him. Conversely, rejecting His messengers is rejecting Him. The chapter also prepares the disciples for rejection, persecution, and hardship, emphasizing the vulnerability of those who carry Christ's message. Within this framework, Matthew 10:42 shifts from the fate of those who reject the messengers to the profound spiritual reward awaiting those who embrace and care for them, even through the simplest acts. It emphasizes the deep identification between Jesus and His disciples, particularly the humble ones, and underscores that even small gestures of support motivated by faith hold immense value in God's eyes. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed high value on hospitality, especially for travelers and religious figures, where a lack of inns often necessitated reliance on the kindness of strangers.

Matthew 10 42 Word analysis

• And whoever (ὅστις - hostis): This opening indicates a general, inclusive principle applying to anyone. It speaks of a universal invitation and a consistent divine truth, regardless of the social standing or background of the one performing the act.
• gives (δώσει - dōsei): Future tense of "to give," emphasizing a definite, active act. It signifies a voluntary bestowment, highlighting agency and intention.
• one of these little ones (ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων - hena tōn mikrōn toutōn): This crucial phrase likely refers primarily to Jesus' humble and vulnerable disciples, especially in the immediate context of their missionary journeys where they might face rejection and lack resources. It also extends to include all who are genuinely Christ's, who might be lowly in status or outwardly insignificant but hold spiritual value. While it can include literal children, its primary emphasis here is on those who are humble in spirit and who have committed their lives to Christ, reflecting the theme in Mt 18:3-4 about humility being essential for the Kingdom. It emphasizes a special identification of Christ with His followers.
• even a cup (ποτήριον - potērion): "Cup" is a simple vessel for drinking. The addition of "even" (often implied by context or the Greek particle μόνον "only" elsewhere, but captured by "even" in English) stresses the low value and commonness of the item, making the act accessible to anyone regardless of wealth.
• cold water (ψυχροῦ ὕδατος - psychrou hydatos): In a hot climate like ancient Judea, providing cold water was a genuine act of comfort and refreshment, often involving effort to fetch from a deep well or keep cool. It wasn't expensive, but it met a fundamental human need. It symbolizes a small, practical, but truly helpful and considerate kindness.
• to drink (πιεῖν - piein): To partake of liquid. This emphasizes the meeting of a basic physiological necessity.
• because he is a disciple (εἰς ὄνομα μαθητοῦ - eis onoma mathētou): This is the core qualifying factor. The motive is paramount. It is not just general benevolence or philanthropy, but kindness offered because the recipient is identified with Christ (i.e., is a "disciple"). This spiritual motivation elevates the seemingly mundane act to an act of profound spiritual significance and service to Christ Himself. It ties the reward directly to acknowledging and valuing Christ in His followers. "In the name of" means "because of his character as" or "belonging to him."
• truly, I say to you (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν - amēn legō hymin): A characteristic and emphatic declaration of Jesus, signaling that what follows is profoundly true, certain, and of divine authority. It commands full attention and belief in the certainty of the promise.
• he will by no means lose (οὐ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ - ou mē apolesē): This uses a strong double negative (οὐ μή) in Greek, expressing an emphatic certainty. It translates to "he will absolutely not lose" or "he will certainly never lose." The promise is unbreakable and guaranteed.
• his reward (τὸν μισθὸν αὐτοῦ - ton misthon autou): The "reward" refers to a divine recompense, not necessarily material gain, but spiritual blessings, honor, eternal life, or commendation in the Kingdom of God. It signifies God's recognition and blessing for genuine faith expressed through action. It is God's just return for an act performed for His sake.

Matthew 10 42 Bonus section

This verse beautifully illustrates the principle of "identificational reciprocity" – an act done to Christ's follower is counted by God as an act done directly to Christ Himself. This principle elevates acts of service from mere human philanthropy to acts of spiritual worship and devotion. It underscores the profound unity between Jesus and His Body, the church, and encourages believers to minister to one another with the same devotion they would show to Jesus in person. The specific inclusion of "little ones" indicates Jesus' special regard for the humble, the marginalized, and those who may not be outwardly prominent in the church but are faithfully His. It is a comforting assurance to those who serve that no act of love for His sake, no matter how small or hidden, goes unnoticed or unrewarded by the Father.

Matthew 10 42 Commentary

Matthew 10:42 serves as a concluding benediction and promise in Jesus' instructions to His disciples, emphasizing the critical importance of how His messengers are received. It shifts the focus from the perils of their mission to the spiritual blessings that accrue to those who support them. The profound insight lies not in the size of the gift (just a cup of cold water, a simple and inexpensive item) but in the motivation behind it: it is given because the recipient is identified as a disciple of Christ. This means acknowledging and honoring Christ Himself through service to His followers, especially the humble and vulnerable among them.

Jesus states this with an emphatic "Truly, I say to you," guaranteeing that such an act, though small, will never lose its divine reward. This reward is not earned salvation, but a promised divine recompense that confirms the intimate link between caring for Jesus' disciples and caring for Jesus Himself (echoing later themes in Matthew 25:40). It highlights that true Christian service often consists of small, unspectacular acts performed out of genuine love for Christ and His people. It challenges believers to see Christ in those who are humble and in need, particularly fellow believers who may be enduring hardship or service for the gospel's sake, and to offer practical help, no matter how minor it may seem to human eyes. God highly values the heart and motive behind such deeds.

Practical examples include: offering a kind word to a struggling believer, providing a ride for someone attending a Bible study, preparing a simple meal for a weary minister, sending an encouraging text message, or offering any form of humble, needs-based support specifically to uplift and strengthen fellow disciples for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.