Matthew 10:20

Commentary on Matthew 10:20

Text:
“For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matthew 10:20, NKJV)

1. Context in Matthew 10

Matthew 10[i] records Jesus commissioning the twelve apostles for mission. He sends them out with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons (10:1–8). He warns them of persecution, rejection, and hostility (10:16–23). In this context, verse 20 is part of Jesus’ encouragement when they face trials before rulers and councils. The disciples are assured that they will not be left alone; the Spirit of God will give them words to speak.

2. Exegesis of Matthew 10:20

• “For it is not you who speak”: Jesus emphasises human insufficiency. The disciples are not to rely on their own wisdom or rhetorical skill. Their defence will not rest on human eloquence but divine provision.
• “But the Spirit of your Father”: This phrase highlights the intimate relationship between God and His people. The Spirit is not abstract power but the Spirit of the Father, underscoring God’s personal care and covenantal presence.
• “Who speaks in you”: The Spirit does not merely inspire from outside but indwells and works through the believer. This anticipates the fuller teaching on the Holy Spirit in John 14–16 and the empowerment seen at Pentecost (Acts 2).

3. Theological Insights

• Divine Sovereignty and Human Weakness: The verse teaches that God’s mission is accomplished not by human strength but by divine enablement. This aligns with Christian theology’s emphasis on God’s sovereignty in salvation and mission.
• The Work of the Spirit: The Spirit equips believers for witness. This is not a promise of effortless eloquence but assurance of God’s presence in moments of trial.
• Union with Christ: The Spirit of the Father speaking in the disciples reflects the reality that believers are united to Christ, sharing in His mission and empowered by His Spirit.

---

4. Application to Modern Christian Living

• Witness in Hostile Environments: Christians today may face ridicule, workplace discrimination, or even legal challenges for their faith. This verse assures believers that God’s Spirit will sustain them when they must give account.
• Dependence on God in Ministry: Preachers, teachers, and everyday Christians must remember that effectiveness in witness comes from reliance on the Spirit, not human cleverness.
• Encouragement in Weakness: When believers feel inadequate, this verse reminds them that God delights to work through weakness to display His power.

---

5. Reflection

This verse is deeply pastoral. Jesus does not minimise the reality of persecution but assures His disciples of divine presence. For modern believers, it is a call to courage and trust. The Spirit of the Father is not distant but intimately involved, speaking through His children when they most need Him.

---

[i] Matthew 10

New King James Version

The Twelve Apostles

10 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Sending Out the Twelve

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Persecutions Are Coming

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God

27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Confess Christ Before Men

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Christ Brings Division

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

A Cup of Cold Water

40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 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. 42 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.”