Matthew 10:6 kjv

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10:6 nkjv

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10:6 niv

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

Matthew 10:6 esv

but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10:6 nlt

but only to the people of Israel ? God's lost sheep.

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 6 Meaning

This verse contains Jesus' explicit instruction to His twelve disciples during their initial mission: they are to prioritize and direct their ministry solely towards the Jewish people. They are described metaphorically as "the lost sheep," indicating their spiritual condition of being astray and in profound need of their true Shepherd and the message of the Kingdom. This directive defines the specific and immediate scope of their ministry, centering on God's covenant people.

Matthew 10 6 Context

Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus' specific instructions to His twelve apostles as He sends them out on their first, limited missionary journey. Immediately preceding this verse, in Matthew 10:5, Jesus gives a strict prohibition: "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not." This boundary directly sets the stage for verse 6, which then specifies the actual destination. Thus, Matthew 10:6 is not an isolated command but the counterpoint to a temporary restriction. Historically, during Jesus' earthly ministry, His primary focus and presentation as Messiah were to the Jewish people, God's chosen covenant nation. This commission reflects that strategic priority: offering the Kingdom of God first to those who were heirs of the promises. Despite their heritage and adherence to the Law, many within Israel were spiritually vulnerable, misguided, or overlooked by their religious leaders, hence their description as "lost sheep."

Matthew 10 6 Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): A conjunctive particle functioning here as an adversative, signaling a contrast or an alternative action following the previous prohibition (Matthew 10:5). It directs the disciples away from forbidden territories toward the specified target.

• go (πορεύεσθε - poreuomai): A verb in the present imperative form, conveying a direct command for continuous action – "be going" or "keep on going." It indicates an active, directed movement to fulfill their mission.

• rather (μᾶλλον - mallon): An adverb of preference or intensity, meaning "more," "preferably," or "instead." It strongly emphasizes that the chosen path to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" is the preferred and exclusive direction for this particular mission.

• to (πρὸς - pros): A preposition indicating direction toward a destination or association with a person or group. It precisely defines the recipients of the disciples' ministry.

• the lost (τὰ ἀπολωλότα - ta apololota): A perfect passive participle of apollumi, meaning "to destroy," "to perish," or "to lose." Here, it describes a permanent state of having been lost or ruined, implying spiritual brokenness, being without true guidance, and in need of salvation. It points to a deep spiritual alienation.

• sheep (πρόβατα - probata): A pervasive biblical metaphor representing people, particularly those within God's flock. It evokes images of dependence, vulnerability, and the need for a protective shepherd. In the Old Testament, Israel is frequently depicted as sheep who have gone astray.

• of the house (ὀίκου - oikou): The genitive form of oikos, meaning "house," "household," or "family." In this national context, it encompasses the entirety of the Jewish people, emphasizing their collective identity as descendants of Jacob/Israel.

• of Israel (Ἰσραήλ - Israēl): The proper noun referring to the nation and descendants of Jacob, God's covenant people. It specifies the unique ethnic and spiritual heritage of the mission's designated audience, distinct from all other peoples.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "But go rather": This emphatic imperative serves as a direct, prioritized command contrasting with the previous prohibitions. It leaves no ambiguity regarding the chosen and immediate target for this specific mission, stressing urgency and precise direction.
  • "to the lost sheep": This poignant metaphorical phrase powerfully depicts the spiritual state of the recipients. It signifies a profound condition of spiritual wandering, vulnerability, and neglect, resonating with prophetic laments about Israel's lack of true spiritual guidance and their need for restoration.
  • "of the house of Israel": This phrase precisely identifies the unique covenantal and national identity of the targeted group. It emphasizes that this initial salvific mission, rooted in divine promises, is exclusively directed towards God's chosen nation before the full scope of the global gospel is revealed.

Matthew 10 6 Bonus section

This specific restriction is a key example of the principle of progressive revelation within God's redemptive plan. It demonstrates that while God's ultimate intention was always to bless all nations through Israel (Gen 12:3), the historical unfolding of salvation involved a sequence: "to the Jew first" (Rom 1:16). This initial, limited commission for the disciples not only reflects Jesus' focus during His earthly ministry but also likely served a practical purpose in a limited time frame, consolidating the message and strengthening the core group of Jewish believers before the Gospel exploded universally following the Holy Spirit's empowerment at Pentecost. The "lost sheep" were not necessarily irreligious, but often those lacking authentic spiritual shepherding amidst their established religious institutions, thus needing Jesus to bring them back into right relationship with God.

Matthew 10 6 Commentary

Matthew 10:6 forms a foundational directive for the twelve disciples' initial outreach, specifying that their urgent message of the Kingdom of Heaven was to be presented first and exclusively to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." This limitation underscores Jesus' faithfulness to God's ancient covenants, asserting His role as Israel's rightful Messiah and prioritizing the restoration of His covenant people. The powerful metaphor of "lost sheep" highlights the spiritual state of many in Israel—leaderless, spiritually misguided, and yearning for true nourishment and direction, fulfilling prophetic visions of God seeking out His scattered flock. While seemingly restrictive, this initial strategy was crucial: it ensured the message resonated within the established theological and cultural framework of Israel, providing them the first opportunity to receive their King. It strategically paved the way for the later, broader mandate to all nations (Matthew 28:19) after Jesus' resurrection confirmed His Lordship over both Jew and Gentile.