What did Jesus command the disciples about Gentiles and Samaritans in Matthew 10:5?
At the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus commanded the twelve disciples not to go into the way of the Gentiles and not to enter any city of the Samaritans. This was a command, not a suggestion, issued by the Lord of Glory, directing their initial mission away from Gentile and Samaritan territory.
Les teaches that Matthew 10:5 comes at the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry, just after the Lord called the twelve disciples in the first four verses. Les explains that Jesus did not merely suggest this restriction; He commanded it, and because He is the Lord of Glory, no higher authority exists. The command was: "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and in any city of the Samaritans enter you not." Les notes that the Samaritans at this point were half-breed Jews who had lost their pure character as Jews and were looked down upon and detested by the pure Jew. He also points out that Jesus would later in His ministry still go to the city of Samaria.
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:
Who were the Samaritans at the time of Jesus?
At the time of Jesus, the Samaritans were a mixed-race people considered half-breed Jews. They had lost their pure Jewish character and were looked down upon and detested by pure Jews. Jesus initially forbade His disciples from entering their cities, though He later ministered in Samaria.
Where in the Bible did Jesus tell His disciples not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans?
The command is recorded in Matthew 10:5-6. There Jesus sent out the twelve and commanded them, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
More Questions
Did Jesus command His disciples to avoid Gentiles and Samaritans?
When Jesus sent forth the twelve, He commanded them, not suggested, to go not into the way of the Gentiles and to not enter any city of the Samaritans.
Why did Jesus send His disciples only to Israel and not to the Gentiles?
The reason Jesus limited the mission to Israel is that all the way back from Abraham's covenant, God has been dealing only with His covenant people, Israel.