The man of St Matthew

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Sheep among wolves: Mt 10,16-23

We saw in the overview that this second part of the discourse begins in verse 16 with "Behold" and concludes with the second "amen" statement of Jesus in verse 23.
It is a short passage but distinctive for the prominence of "you" as Jesus spells out the fate of his disciples.
Yet if the commission of the first part is quite specific for the twelve, consider how all that follows is more general, applying to missionaries of all times.

Jesus begins in verse 16 with the proverb of sheep among wolves in verse 16. See Sirach 13,17. Then look at Gen 3,1.

For verses 17-22, Matthew is using material which comes from later in the Gospel, Mt 24,9-14. What is the setting for those later verses?

What is the difference between verses 17 and 18?. Note the key word which occurs in verses 17,18 and 19.
Whose experience is being reflected in verses 17 and 18?

For flogging as a punishment, take a look at both Dt 25,1-3 and St Paul's experiences in 2 Cor 11,24-25.

Verses 18 and 20 provide reassurance, perhaps an echo of Exodus 4,12.

Verse 21 anticipates verses 34-35 and the quotation there.

When is the end spoken of in verse 22? (see 28,20)

The statement in verse 23 is introduced by "for", not usually translated but making it a stronger conclusion.
For the coming of the Son of Man see 24,30 and 25,31.

Take a look at my response.

We can now move on to read the third part of the discourse, Mt 10,24-42.