Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 10:6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
But go rather to the lost sheep … – That is, to the Jews. He regarded them as wandering and lost, like sheep straying without a shepherd. They had been the chosen people of God; they had long looked for the Messiah; and it was proper that the gospel should be first offered to them.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. But go rather to the lost sheep, c.] The Jewish Church was the ancient fold of God but the sheep had wandered from their Shepherd, and were lost. Our blessed Lord sends these under-shepherds to seek, find, and bring them back to the Shepherd and Overseer of their souls.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
6. But go rather to the lost sheepof the house of IsraelUntil Christ’s death, which broke downthe middle wall of partition (Eph2:14), the Gospel commission was to the Jews only, who, thoughthe visible people of God, were “lost sheep,” not merely inthe sense which all sinners are (Isa 53:6;1Pe 2:25; compare with Lu19:10), but as abandoned and left to wander from the right way byfaithless shepherds (Jer 50:6;Jer 50:17; Eze 34:2-6,&c.).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. To whom he himself was sent, Mt 15:24. By “the house of Israel” is meant the whole Jewish nation; for though this phrase, when distinguished from the house of Judah, designs only the ten tribes; yet here it intends all the Jews, then living in the land of Judea, among whom there were some of all the tribes: and by “the lost sheep” of this house, are meant either all the people of the Jews in general, who were wandering, and were lost in error and sin, and to whom the external ministry of the Gospel came; or rather the elect of God among them, for whose sake particularly the apostles were sent unto them. These are called “sheep”, because they were chosen of God, and given to Christ to be redeemed, looked up, sought out, and saved by him; and “lost” ones, not only because lost in Adam, and by their own transgressions, so that neither they themselves, nor any mere creature, could save them from eternal ruin and destruction; but also, because they were made to go astray, and were lost through the negligence and errors of their pastors, the Scribes and Pharisees: and this character is the rather given of them, partly to reflect upon the characters of the shepherds of Israel: and partly to magnify the grace of God, in having regard to such ruined and miserable creatures; and also to excite the compassion and diligence of the apostles, to preach the Gospel to them: respect seems to be had to Jer 1:16.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The lost sheep ( ). The sheep, the lost ones. Mentioned here first by Matthew. Jesus uses it not in blame, but in pity (Bruce). Bengel notes that Jesus says “lost” more frequently than “led astray.” “If the Jewish nation could be brought to repentance the new age would dawn” (McNeile).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
The lost sheep [ ] . The Greek order throws the emphasis on lost; the sheep, the lost ones. Bengel observes that Jesus says lost oftener than led astray. Compare Mt 18:12, 14.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But go rather to the lost sheep,” (poreusethe de mallon pros ta probata ta apololota) “But go rather (instead) to the lost sheep,” to the unredeemed, Joh 1:11-12. Go to those of Israel astray in mind and life who have no faith, Act 13:46.
2) “Of the house of Israel.” (ollou Israel) “Of the house (family lineage) of Israel,” to Israelites only, Rom 1:16; Rom 10:9-13; This was that He might fulfill the law in bearing His message, to the Jew first, Mat 5:17; Joh 1:11-12; Joh 5:39.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
6. But go rather to the lost sheep The first rank, as we have said, is assigned to the Jews, because they were the firstborn; or rather, because at that time they alone were acknowledged by God to belong to his family, while others were excluded. (569) He calls them lost sheep, partly that the apostles, moved by compassion, may more readily and with warmer affection run to their assistance, and partly to inform them that there is at present abundant occasion for their labors. At the same time, under the figure of this nation, Christ taught what is the condition of the whole human race. The Jews, who were near to God, and in covenant with him, and therefore were the lawful heirs of eternal life, are nevertheless pronounced to be lost, till they regain salvation through Christ. What then remains for us who are inferior to them in honor? (570) Again, the word sheep is applied even to the reprobate, who, properly speaking, did not belong to the flock of God, because the adoption extended to the whole nation; as those who deserved to be rejected, on account of their treachery, are elsewhere called the children of the kingdom, (Mat 8:12.) In a word, by the term sheep, Christ recommends the Jews to the apostles, that they may dedicate their labors to them, because they could recognize as the flock of God none but those who had been gathered into the fold.
(569) “ Les autres en estans eslogncz et bannis;” — “the others being removed and banished from it.”
(570) “ Qui n’avons point une telle prerogative;” — “who have not such a prerogative.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
6. But go rather Having told them where not to go, our Lord now teaches them whither they should go. Lost sheep Lost, as having forsaken the true shepherd, and wandered from the true fold. Yet still they are sheep, not wolves. They are children of the covenant, and especially are they the sheep, who are predisposed and ready to obey the true voice of the shepherd when heard. House That is, family or lineage.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Mat 10:6. But go rather to the lost sheep, &c. See what has been said concerning the metaphors of sheep and harvest, in the note on Mat 10:1. With respect to the first, it should be remembered, that in the note on ch. Mat 3:7 it was observed, that men, as animals, have each of them a peculiar resemblance to some particular species of other animals; which we exemplified in the term lamb, sheep, wolves, dogs, &c. We now farther add, that those appellations are upon no account to be taken for indelible characters; but those to whom they are applicable at any given time, may in the future course of life, through the converting and sanctifying grace of God, be enabled so far to control their wrong propensities by a steady practice of the contrary graces and virtues, as to afford to the church and to the world a quite opposite character. To effect this is the proper work of grace, producing repentance in the soul, and then genuine conversion, including a change of mental disposition, whereby the crafty, rapacious, mischievous, stubborn, or other savage temper, may be transmuted into that simplicity, meekness, harmlessness, and ductility, which constitute the character of sheep, or, what is an infinitely more honourable title, members of Christ’s mystical body. When our Lord is said to behold the multitudes, tired, lying down, and without a shepherd;when, in consequence of this view, he directs his apostles to go in quest of them, he calls them the lost sheep; not that they had gone astray from their shepherd, for they wanted one; but lost here imports, that they were quite at a loss how to proceed, and actually perishing for want of a guide. Such were the persons who had moved the compassion of our Lord, and for whose sake he had sent forth his apostles to publish the glad tidings of his kingdom, with assurances that divine power was at hand to take them under his immediate regency. And as that kingdom was mental, and therefore not obvious to sense, the apostles were at the same time sent to give visible proofs of its reality, by healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and casting out demons. These miraculous testimonies were to those who were, by the grace of repentance, rightly disposed, a sure ground of faith in Christ; and, when concurring with the attractions of still superior degrees of grace, would induce them in simple faith to resign themselves, with an implicit submission, to the conduct of his Spirit, the fulness of which dwelt without measure in the incarnate Jesus, and was communicated in the power of converting grace to those whose repentant hearts were prepared to receive it.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mat 10:6-7 . ] the members of Israel, the family of Israel (Lev 10:6 ; Exo 19:3 ), the theocratic nation, who were alienated from the divine truth and the divine life, and so were found wandering in error, like sheep without a shepherd. Comp. Mat 15:24 . And such sheep (Mat 9:36 ) were they all , seeing that they were without faith in Him, the heaven-sent Shepherd. For the figure generally, comp. Isa 53:6 ; Jer 50:8 ; Eze 34:5 .
Mat 10:7 . , . . .] being precisely the same terms as those in which Jesus Himself (Mat 4:17 ), and the Baptist before Him, had commenced their preaching (Mat 3:2 ).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Ver. 6. To the lost sheep ] This is the common condition of us all. “All we like sheep have gone astray,” Isa 53:6 . The prophet saith not, like dogs; for these, though lost, will find their way home again, Nor like swine; for these also, when lugged, or against a storm, will hie to their home. But like sheep, that silly creature, than the which as none is more apt to wander, so neither any more unable to return.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
6. . . ] See besides reff., ch. Mat 9:36 : Joh 10:16 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 10:6 . , “the lost sheep,” an expression consecrated by prophetic use (Jer 50:6 , Swete’s ed., Mat 27:6 ), the epithet here first introduced, often occurring in Gospels, was used by Jesus not in blame but in pity. “Lost” in His vocabulary meant “neglected” (Mat 9:36 ), in danger also of course, but not finally and hopelessly given over to perdition, salvable if much needing salvation. The term is ethical in import, and implies that the mission had moral and religious improvement mainly in view, not mere physical benefit through healing agency; teaching rather than miraculous acts.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
to. Greek. pros.
lost sheep. Compare Eze 34:16; and Mat 15:24; Mat 18:11. Luk 19:10.
the house of Israel. A Hebraism = the family of Israel. See note on 1Ki 12:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
6. . .] See besides reff., ch. Mat 9:36 : Joh 10:16.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 10:6. , sheep) See ch. Mat 9:36.-, lost) He uses this expression in preference to led astray: cf. ch. Mat 18:12; Mat 18:14. The apostles would find sufficient occupation in attending to these.-, Israel) from which the Samaritans had departed.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
lost sheep
(Greek – ).” (See Scofield “Joh 3:16”). Also, Mat 15:24; Mat 15:26; Act 13:46.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
go: Mat 15:24-26, Luk 24:47, Act 3:26, Act 13:46, Act 18:6, Act 26:20, Act 28:25-28, Rom 11:11-15
lost: Mat 18:11, Psa 119:176, Isa 53:6, Jer 50:6, Jer 50:17, Eze 34:6, Eze 34:8, Eze 34:16, Luk 15:3-10, 1Pe 2:25
Reciprocal: Num 27:17 – as sheep Deu 22:1 – Thou shalt Jdg 6:37 – only Eze 3:4 – General Eze 34:4 – sought Mat 9:36 – as Mat 15:21 – Tyre Mat 22:3 – sent Mar 16:15 – Go Luk 19:10 – General Joh 4:4 – General Act 8:5 – the city Act 10:36 – word Act 11:19 – to none Act 13:26 – children
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
10:6
Lost sheep. The Jewish nation had been imposed upon and neglected by the leaders for generations, hence they were compared to sheep who were lost in the wilderness, deserted by their shepherd. That is why Jesus had compassion on them and thought of them as being “scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Mat 9:36).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 10:6. Lost sheep (comp. Mat 9:36). As most needy and most ready.