Matthew 10:11 - Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on.

Generated Verse: Matthew 10:11

What does "Matthew 10:11" mean?


Matthew 10:11 is part of Jesus's instructions to his disciples as he sends them out to preach the Gospel. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"Into whatever city or village you enter...": This establishes the context: the disciples are traveling from place to place to spread their message.

"...find out who in it is worthy...": This is the key part of the verse. "Worthy" refers to someone who is receptive to the message of the Gospel and open to receiving the disciples and providing hospitality. They are looking for people of good character and faith who are ready to listen and believe. This doesn't necessarily mean wealthy or prominent individuals, but rather those with a spiritual openness. They are looking for people of peace ("son of peace")

"...and stay there until you go on.": Once they find a worthy person, the disciples should stay with them. This implies relying on the hospitality of the people they are serving and not moving around seeking better accommodations or more comfortable situations. It reinforces the idea of trusting in God's provision through the generosity of those who are receptive to the message. Staying with one host also helps to avoid any appearance of favoritism or self-seeking. It showed that the disciple had found the son of peace, and that was their home as long as they were in that region.

In essence, the verse is instructing the disciples to:

Be discerning: Don't waste their time on those who are hostile or unreceptive.
Focus on the receptive: Invest in those who are open to the Gospel.
Accept hospitality: Be willing to receive help and support from those who believe.
Be content: Avoid seeking luxury or constantly moving from place to place.

Significance:

The verse emphasizes the importance of:

Strategic evangelism: Targeting those who are ready to hear the message.
Dependence on God's provision: Trusting that God will provide for them through others.
Humility and service: Accepting hospitality and serving the needs of those who are receptive.

Essentially, this verse highlights the practical aspects of spreading the Gospel, advising the disciples to be wise in their choices, trusting in God's provision, and focusing their efforts on those who are open to receiving the message.