What did Jesus command the Twelve in Matthew 10:5-6?
Jesus commanded the Twelve not to go into the way of the Gentiles or enter any city of the Samaritans. Instead, He directed them to go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This instruction was given at the onset of His earthly ministry, within Israel, as their marching orders.
Les explains that at the very onset of Christ's earthly ministry, Jesus gave the Twelve their marching orders in Matthew 10:5. He commanded them, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The Twelve had been chosen around Galilee, all within the borders of Israel and all Jews. Later, in Matthew 15, when the woman of Canaan approached Jesus, the Twelve urged Him to send her away. Les points out that they were acting on what Jesus had told them in chapter 10: they were to have nothing to do with Gentiles and go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They were under God's control, 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:
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