What exactly did Jesus command the twelve in Matthew 10 about Gentiles and Samaritans?
At the onset of His earthly ministry, Jesus commanded the twelve not to go into the way of the Gentiles and not to enter any city of the Samaritans. Instead, He directed them to go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Les explains that this was at the very onset of Christ's earthly ministry, after the twelve had been chosen up around Galilee, all within the borders of Israel and all Jews. Jesus then gave them their marching orders in Matthew 10:5: go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter not, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Later, in Matthew 15, when the woman of Canaan approached Him, the twelve responded in light of what Jesus had told them back in chapter 10—they knew they were to have nothing to do with Gentiles and to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Les notes they were under God's control and were not being bigoted Jews.
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:
More Questions
Who were the only Gentiles Jesus ministered to during his earthly ministry?
Jesus himself confined his ministry to Israel during his three-year earthly ministry except for the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.