Chapter

Matthew 10:41

ESV The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet 's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person 's reward.
NIV Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
NASB The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and the one who receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person shall receive a righteous person’s reward.
CSB Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward.
NLT If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.
KJV He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
NKJV He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

What does Matthew 10:41 mean?

Jesus is sending out the Twelve, His core group of hand-picked apostles (Matthew 10:1–4). Their current mission is to represent Him by teaching His message and performing His miracles in His name (Matthew 10:5–8). Christ has said that anyone who receives the apostles by believing in Jesus and offering hospitality also receives Jesus and the one who sent Jesus, God the Father (Matthew 10:40).

In addition, Jesus states that someone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet or a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a prophet or righteous person's reward. Put another way, someone who believes and helps a prophet or righteous person will have a share in the reward God will give to that prophet or righteous one.

This seems to put Christ's apostles on the same level as the prophets and righteous men of Israel's Old Testament history. A prophet was someone who was given a message by God to deliver to the people. Righteous people obeyed God by doing the specific work He assigned to them. The apostles, sent out by Jesus, both delivered God's message to the people and performed the righteous work of healing and casting out demons that He gave them to do.

The reward Jesus mentions includes eternal life in God's kingdom as well, perhaps, as special rewards that will be given to the apostles in that eternal home. The apostles will share those rewards with those who believed their message and offered hospitality to help them accomplish their work in Jesus' name.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: