What did Jesus command the Twelve to do in Matthew 10:5-6?
In Matthew 10:5–6, Jesus sent the Twelve with specific instructions: do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; instead, go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Their mission was directed only to the nation of Israel.
Les explains that after Jesus chose the Twelve in Galilee, He commanded them in Matthew 10:5 not to go to Gentiles or Samaritans but only to the lost sheep of Israel. This shows their direction was to the nation of Israel. Les notes that during His three years of earthly ministry, Jesus likewise confined His ministry to Israel, except for the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman. This is not a contradiction but a change of program, because later God set Israel aside and turned to the Gentiles.
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:
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.