Matthew 10:8

Thursday, 15 May 2025

 

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

 

“Being feeble – you heal, leprous – you cleanse, dead – you rouse, demons – you eject. Freely you received, freely you give” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus instructed the twelve what to say when they went forth to proclaim their words to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Now, adding to the proclamation they were to make, He tells them of the authority they will possess as well, beginning with, “Being feeble – you heal.”

 

This is a new word, astheneó. It is a verb signifying to be feeble, coming from the adjective asthenés, to be feeble. The verb, being a present participle, literally reads “being feeble.” The word, however, is generally translated as a noun or an adverb. Jesus gives the apostles the ability to heal those who are feeble. Also, He next says, “leprous – you cleanse.”

 

This is something Jesus has already done. This same ability is now conferred upon them. Being a leper was something that required additional steps to be taken after a person was cleansed. This is because having leprosy was something that was determined by the priest. Once he proclaimed a person to be leprous, he was to be excluded from the community.

 

The specific details are found in Leviticus 13. If a person was cleansed, the instructions in Leviticus 14 were then to be followed. Therefore, only the priest could officially declare a person free from the leprosy that once afflicted him. Next come disputed words, saying, “dead – you rouse.”

 

These words are not recorded in some manuscripts. Even if original, there is no indication that any were raised from the dead except by Jesus. Only after the resurrection are Dorcas (Tabitha) and Eutychus restored to life by Peter and then Paul. If the words were inserted later, it was probably in connection with that thought concerning what was done through Peter and Paul.

 

However, that would be an inexcusable reason to insert it here. Whether the words are original or not, Jesus possessed the ability, and after the completion of His ministry, it was granted in those two instances. Next, it says, “demons – you eject.”

 

In Luke, not only are the twelve given authority to do these things, but seventy disciples were also sent out. Upon their return, it says –

 

“Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’” Luke 10:17

 

Therefore, these gospel narratives support one another in confirming this granted ability from the Lord. Finally, Jesus finishes the verse saying, “Freely you received, freely you give.”

 

Here he introduces the word dórean. It is a word signifying without cause, freely, for nothing, or even in vain. Each instance requires the context to be considered. In this case, it signifies they were not to charge for their services.

 

Life application: In Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer is said to have believed the gospel message preached to him. After that, however, it says –

 

“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20 But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.’ 24 Then Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.’” Acts 8:18-24

 

It is often argued that Simon was not saved because of his conduct. However, it says quite clearly in Acts 8:13 that he believed. It is the same word used when speaking of belief leading to salvation elsewhere. If he truly believed he was saved. Salvation is not conditional on knowing everything about the faith. Nor is it conditional on not adhering to proper doctrine after being saved when what is proper is known.

 

Rather, salvation is conditional on one thing: belief in the gospel. We do not read the hearts of others. As such, it is entirely inappropriate to say of someone, “He is not saved.” It may be true that he is not reflecting proper Christian values, but that is not a salvific issue.

 

Let us not be finger-pointers when we do not have all the facts. If someone is not living for the Lord as expected after being saved, there are verses that deal with what we are to do with them. However, let us not make pr