Matthew 10:20

Commentary on Matthew 10:20

Matthew 10:20 (King James Version): “For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

1. Immediate Context: Matthew 10

Matthew 10[i] records Jesus commissioning the twelve apostles for a specific mission to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He gives them authority, instructions, warnings, and promises. The chapter is both historical and paradigmatic: it describes a unique apostolic mission, yet it also provides enduring principles for Christian discipleship, witness, and endurance.

Key themes in the chapter include:

• The authority of Christ over his people (Matthew 10:1). “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
• The cost of discipleship (Matthew 10:16–22). “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves…” (Matthew 10:16). “…ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake…” (Matthew 10:22).
• The promise of divine help in persecution (Matthew 10:19–20). “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak…” (Matthew 10:19).

Matthew 10:20 sits at the heart of this section, offering comfort and assurance to disciples who face hostility for the sake of Christ.

2. Exegetical Commentary on Matthew 10:20

2.1 “For it is not ye that speak…”

Jesus does not deny human responsibility. The apostles will indeed open their mouths and speak. But he reframes their experience: in moments of persecution, their speech is not ultimately sourced in their own ingenuity, rhetorical skill, or emotional strength.

This is a humbling and liberating truth. The disciples are not abandoned to their own resources. Their witness is not dependent on their eloquence. Their defence is not grounded in their cleverness.

This aligns with the broader biblical pattern:

• Moses feared he was “slow of speech,” yet God promised, “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (Exodus 4:12).
• Paul testifies, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4).

The point is not the removal of human agency but the reorientation of confidence.

2.2 “…but the Spirit of your Father…”

This phrase is rich with Trinitarian warmth. Jesus speaks of the Spirit, and he identifies this Spirit as the Spirit of your Father. The disciples are not merely servants; they are children of God. The Spirit who speaks through them is the Spirit of adoption.

This is consistent with later New Testament teaching:

• “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14).
• “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption…” (Romans 8:15).

The Spirit’s ministry is personal, relational, and empowering.

2.3 “…which speaketh in you.”

The Spirit does not merely assist from afar. He speaks in the disciples. This is an indwelling, active, dynamic presence. It is not mechanical dictation but divine enabling.

This promise is not a licence for laziness or a guarantee of spontaneous inspiration in all circumstances. It is specifically tied to situations of persecution and testimony for Christ’s sake.

The Spirit’s work is:

• Internal
  shaping the heart, giving courage, producing faith.
• External
  guiding words, giving clarity, bearing witness to Christ.

This aligns with Jesus’ later promise:

• “For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” (Luke 12:12).

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3. Theological Teaching

3.1 The Sovereignty of God in Christian Witness

Matthew 10:20 teaches that God is sovereign over the mission of his people. He does not merely send; he accompanies. He does not merely command; he empowers.

This is a deeply Christian truth: God’s grace precedes, enables, and sustains all faithful obedience.

3.2 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

The verse highlights the Spirit’s role in:

• Empowering witness
• Providing wisdom
• Strengthening believers under pressure
• Testifying to Christ through his people

This is not a mystical experience detached from Scripture. The Spirit speaks in harmony with the Word he inspired.

3.3 The Fatherhood of God

Jesus emphasises “your Father.” The disciples’ courage flows from their identity. They are not orphans in the world. They are children of the living God, upheld by his Spirit.

3.4 The Cost and Comfort of Discipleship

Matthew 10 is honest about suffering. Christians may be misunderstood, opposed, or persecuted. Yet the comfort is greater than the cost: God himself speaks through his people.

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4. Application to Modern Christian Living

4.1 Confidence in Witnessing

Christians today often feel inadequate when sharing their faith. Matthew 10:20 reminds us that the effectiveness of our witness does not rest on our eloquence but on the Spirit’s work.

Practical implications:

• Pray before speaking.
• Trust God more than your preparation.
• Speak truthfully, humbly, and boldly.

4.2 Courage in Hostile Environments

Many believers face social pressure, workplace hostility, or cultural opposition. The promise of Matthew 10:20 is not limited to formal persecution. Whenever faithfulness requires courage, the Spirit strengthens and guides.

4.3 Resting in God’s Fatherly Care

The Spirit who speaks in us is the Spirit of our Father. This grounds our confidence not in technique but in relationship. We are loved, known, and upheld.

4.4 Avoiding Presumption

This verse does not excuse laziness in study or preparation. The apostles were steeped in Scripture. The Spirit’s work does not bypass the mind; he uses what he has formed in us.

Therefore:

• Study Scripture diligently.
• Cultivate a life of prayer.
• Grow in theological understanding.
• Trust the Spirit to bring truth to mind when needed.

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5. Meditation Guide

5.1 Reflective Reading

Read Matthew 10 slowly, paying attention to the interplay of warning and comfort. Sit with Matthew 10:20 and consider what fears it addresses in your own life.
“For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

5.2 Questions for Personal Reflection

• Where do I feel inadequate in speaking for Christ?
• How might the Spirit be inviting me to trust him more deeply?
• Do I see God as my Father who cares for me in moments of pressure?
• How can I prepare my heart and mind so that the Spirit may use me faithfully?

5.3 Prayer

A suggested prayer:

“Father, thank you that your Spirit dwells in me. When I am afraid or feel inadequate, remind me that you speak through your children. Give me courage, clarity, and compassion as I bear witness to Jesus Christ. Strengthen me to trust your presence and rely on your power. Amen.”

5.4 Practical Exercise

This week, identify one situation where you can speak a gentle, faithful word for Christ. Pray beforehand. Trust the Spirit. Afterwards, reflect on how God sustained you.

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[i] Matthew 10

King James Version

10 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

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

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.

13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

42 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.