Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just listing miracles; He's showing an ascending power progression, culminating in "raise the dead," which some ancient manuscripts actually omit. The command to "give without pay" isn't just about not charging money; it's a stark reminder that these divine gifts are not possessions to be hoarded or sold, but a flow of God's grace to be passed on freely, just as they were received.
Jesus is commissioning his twelve disciples for their first ministry mission, sending them out specifically to the lost sheep of Israel. He’s equipping them with extraordinary power to preach that the kingdom is near and to confirm this message by performing powerful miracles, from healing the sick to casting out demons, all without demanding payment.
Jesus unleashes incredible power through His followers. What kind of works are we talking about here?
Jesus commands His disciples to perform extraordinary acts of healing and deliverance.
Miracles of Restoration
These weren't just parlor tricks; they were tangible demonstrations of God's kingdom breaking into the world, showing His compassion and authority.
Why does Jesus emphasize that the disciples received these gifts 'without paying' and must 'give without pay'?
Jesus establishes a core principle for ministry: the gifts of God are to be shared freely, without cost.
Freely Received, Freely Given
Understand the original words
therapeuo · Greek Verb
The exercise of divine power to restore health or wholeness to those suffering from physical or spiritual infirmity. It serves as a sign of the kingdom's arrival.
lepros · Greek Noun/Adjective
Refers to a state of ritual impurity under the Old Testament law. Cleansing represented the restoration of the individual to the community of God's people and the removing of signs of judgment or decay.
daimonion · Greek Noun
Spiritual beings, opposed to God, who influence or possess individuals. Casting them out demonstrates the superior authority of the kingdom of God over the powers of darkness.
This instruction to the disciples was a specific, temporary mission, distinct from the later, broader commission given after Jesus' resurrection. The emphasis on 'freely giving' highlights the gratuitous nature of God's grace, which the disciples were to reflect in their ministry.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus Commissions the Twelve Apostles
Jesus calls his twelve closest disciples, empowers them with authority over spiritual and physical ailments, and sends them out on a specific mission.
c. 27-30 AD
The Twelve Preach in Galilee
The disciples travel in pairs throughout the towns of Galilee, proclaiming that the 'kingdom of heaven is near' and demonstrating their authority through miraculous signs.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry Culminates in Jerusalem
The disciples' mission is temporary, preparing the way for Jesus' own ministry in Jerusalem, which leads to his crucifixion and resurrection.
c. 30-33 AD
The Great Commission
Following his resurrection, Jesus expands the disciples' mission to include all nations, reflecting the broader scope of the Gospel.
This Old Testament passage echoes the 'freely give' principle by inviting all who thirst to come and receive spiritual sustenance without money or price, mirroring Christ's command to his disciples.
1 Corinthians 9:14Paul asserts that those who proclaim the gospel should live from the gospel, a concept that, while seemingly different from 'freely give,' aligns by emphasizing that the ministry itself is a gift, not a commodity to be bought and sold for personal profit.
Acts 3:6Peter, acting on Jesus' authority, heals a lame man at the temple gate, demonstrating the disciples carrying out the very commands given in Matthew 10:8 and offering this gift freely, not for personal gain.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse warns against the love of money as a root of all kinds of evil, providing a crucial backdrop to why Jesus insisted his disciples give freely – to avoid the corrupting influence of greed in their sacred work.
barnesMatthew 10:8: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."
Freely ye have received, freely give - That is, they were not to sell their favors of healing, preaching, etc. They were not to make a money-making business of it, to bargain specifically to heal for so much, and to cast out devils for so much. This, however, neither then nor afterward precluded them from receiving a competent support. See Luke 10:7 ; 1 Corinthians 9:8-14 ;…
meyerMatthew 10:8: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."
Matthew 10:8-9 . Δωρεὰν … δότε ] with reference to the miraculous gifts just mentioned, not to the teaching , for which, as a matter of course, nothing was to be asked in return except the bare necessaries of life, Matthew 10:10 ( 1 Corinthians 9:4 ff.). ἐλάβετε ] refers back to Matthew 10:1 . μὴ κτήσησθε ] you must not provide for yourselves . The girdle , which holds toget…
Jesus isn't just listing miracles; He's showing an ascending power progression, culminating in "raise the dead," which some ancient manuscripts actually omit. The command to "give without pay" isn't just about not charging money; it's a stark reminder that these divine gifts are not possessions to be hoarded or sold, but a flow of God's grace to be passed on freely, just as they were received.
Jesus is commissioning his twelve disciples for their first ministry mission, sending them out specifically to the lost sheep of Israel. He’s equipping them with extraordinary power to preach that the kingdom is near and to confirm this message by performing powerful miracles, from healing the sick to casting out demons, all without demanding payment.
Jesus is commissioning his twelve disciples for their first ministry mission, sending them out specifically to the lost sheep of Israel. He’s equipping them with extraordinary power to preach that the kingdom is near and to confirm this message by performing powerful miracles, from healing the sick to casting out demons, all without demanding payment.
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While this doesn't negate the principle of supporting those who labor in ministry (as seen in later New Testament writings), it forbids turning spiritual gifts into a commercial enterprise.
c. 33 AD
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles for a permanent ministry, enabling them to continue Jesus' work and spread the Gospel worldwide.
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay." — Jesus isn't just listing miracles; He's showing an ascending power progression, culminating in "raise the dead," which some ancient manuscripts actually omit. The command to "give without pay" isn't…
