Matthew 10:1
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus doesn't just give them power; He grants them authority (exousia) over the spiritual and physical realms of sickness and demonic oppression. This isn't just a magical ability, but a delegated dominion, reflecting His own sovereignty and the coming reign of God's kingdom over all that opposes it.
Jesus has just prayed for more workers to spread his message, and now he's commissioning his inner circle. He calls his twelve closest disciples and gives them supernatural authority to confront evil spirits and heal diseases, sending them out as His representatives. This delegation of power, echoing the symbolism of Israel's twelve tribes, equips them to demonstrate God's reign and confront the brokenness of the world.
Why did Jesus specifically choose twelve men? It wasn't just a random number; it carried deep symbolic weight connecting to Israel's past and future.
A Symbolic Number
Jesus calls His twelve disciples and gives them authority. This number, twelve, is significant. It directly echoes the twelve tribes of Israel, the foundational people of God in the Old Testament. Think of the twelve patriarchs who gave rise to these tribes.
A New Israel
By choosing twelve, Jesus is establishing a 'new Israel.' These twelve men are to be the foundational leaders of His new covenant community, the Church. Just as the twelve tribes represented the entirety of God's people then, these twelve apostles will represent the leaders of God's people moving forward. This connection is seen later in Revelation, where the New Jerusalem has twelve gates and twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles.
Jesus doesn't just send His disciples out to talk; He equips them with supernatural power. What does this authority over 'unclean spirits' reveal?
Divine Authority
Jesus gives His disciples 'authority' (Greek: exousia) over unclean spirits. This isn't just permission; it's delegated power and legitimate rule. Jesus Himself has this authority, and He is sharing it with His followers.
Confronting Evil
'Unclean spirits' represent the forces of darkness and evil that oppose God's kingdom. They bring spiritual corruption and, as we see in the next part of the verse, can manifest as sickness and affliction. By giving the disciples authority to cast them out, Jesus is demonstrating that His kingdom has actively invaded the realm of darkness. His followers, empowered by Him, can confront and overcome the works of evil.
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Refers to a pupil or learner who follows a teacher to learn their doctrine and way of life; in the New Testament, it denotes a committed follower of Jesus.
exousia · Greek Noun
The legal right, power, or authorization to act on behalf of another; in this context, it is the power granted by Jesus to exercise his own dominion over the spiritual and physical realms.
akathartos pneumata · Greek Adjective
Spiritual beings opposed to God who inhabit or influence people; they are recognized by their moral impurity and rebellion against the holiness of God.
This pivotal moment marks the formal commissioning of Jesus' closest followers. Their selection as 'twelve' intentionally mirrors the twelve tribes of Israel, signaling the inauguration of God's renewed people and the extension of His kingdom's power through them.
c. AD 28— this verse
Selection of the Twelve Apostles
Jesus formally chooses twelve men from his disciples to be apostles. This number deliberately echoes the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the establishment of a new covenant community.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, healing the sick, and casting out demons. This period establishes his authority and the nature of his kingdom.
c. AD 30
First Mission of the Twelve
Jesus sends out the twelve apostles, commissioning them to preach and perform miracles in his name. This event is a key part of their training and Jesus' wider ministry.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus and his disciples travel towards Jerusalem, encountering various groups and facing increasing opposition. This journey marks a pivotal phase leading to the crucifixion.
This passage directly parallels Matthew 10:1, highlighting Jesus' selection of the twelve specifically to be with Him and to be sent out with the authority to preach and to heal or cast out demons.
Luke 9:1-2Luke also recounts Jesus giving the twelve authority over demons and power to heal, emphasizing their commission to preach the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 12:28Paul refers to apostles as the first of the 'gifts' God placed in the church, underscoring that the authority and power given to the twelve in Matthew 10 were divinely appointed and foundational for the early church's ministry.
Acts 1:8This verse speaks to the future empowerment of the disciples by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses, echoing the authority Jesus initially gave them to cast out demons and heal, which served as a tangible demonstration of God's power.
Revelation 21:14The New Jerusalem having twelve foundations inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles symbolically connects the foundational role of the apostles, empowered by Christ, to the eternal kingdom.
barnesMatthew 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."
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples ... - This account of sending the apostles forth is recorded also in Mark 6:7-11 , and Luke 9:1-6 . Mark says that he sent them out two and two. This was a kind arrangement, that each one might have a companion, and that thus they might visit more plac…
bensonMatthew 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."
Matthew 10:1 . And when he had called his twelve disciples — From the evangelist’s naming them the twelve, it appears that he considered them as elected before this, though he has given no account of it in his gospel. The number seems to have relation to the twelve patriarchs and the twelve tribes of Isr…
Jesus doesn't just give them power; He grants them authority (exousia) over the spiritual and physical realms of sickness and demonic oppression. This isn't just a magical ability, but a delegated dominion, reflecting His own sovereignty and the coming reign of God's kingdom over all that opposes it.
Jesus has just prayed for more workers to spread his message, and now he's commissioning his inner circle. He calls his twelve closest disciples and gives them supernatural authority to confront evil spirits and heal diseases, sending them out as His representatives. This delegation of power, echoing the symbolism of Israel's twelve tribes, equips them to demonstrate God's reign and confront the brokenness of the world.
Jesus has just prayed for more workers to spread his message, and now he's commissioning his inner circle. He calls his twelve closest disciples and gives them supernatural authority to confront evil spirits and heal diseases, sending them out as His representatives. This delegation of power, echoing the symbolism of Israel's twelve tribes, equips them to demonstrate God's reign and confront the brokenness of the world.
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Beyond confronting evil, the disciples are also commissioned to heal. What does this healing ministry signify for Jesus' mission?
Physical and Spiritual Wholeness
The disciples are given authority 'to heal every disease and every affliction.' This power is a tangible sign of God's compassion and His desire for wholeness for His people. It points to the holistic nature of Jesus' saving work, addressing not just spiritual sin but also physical suffering.
A Glimpse of the Kingdom
These acts of healing are not merely acts of kindness; they are powerful demonstrations that the Kingdom of God has broken into the present world. They confirm the message the disciples are to preach and showcase God's restorative power. By healing, they are showing that God's reign brings an end to suffering, disease, and affliction, foreshadowing the complete restoration that will come when Christ returns.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and then resurrected, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating his divine power over death. This event is the cornerstone of Christian faith.
c. AD 30-33
Post-Resurrection Appearances
Jesus appears to his disciples multiple times after his resurrection, reinforcing their faith and commissioning them for a global mission.
c. AD 33
The Great Commission
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructs his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, empowering them to continue his work. This marks the transition to the church's mission.
"And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction." — Jesus doesn't just give them power; He grants them authority (exousia) over the spiritual and physical realms of sickness and demonic oppression. This isn't just a magical ability, but a delegate…
