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Matthew 10 · a question people ask

"Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans" (10:5). Why did Jesus say that?

In the text

Here is what Matthew gives: Jesus's command, "Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans" (10:5), and where he sent them instead: "Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (10:6). "As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’" (10:7). These notes don't supply a reason beyond those words, and apply nothing in 10:5-6 to any people today.

The verses

“Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’”
Matthew 10:5-7 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Matthew 10

Matthew 10: Sheep among wolves

In Matthew 10 the word worthy comes seven times: the twelve are to find out who is worthy in whatever city or village they enter (10:11), and Jesus ends by saying who isn't worthy of him (10:37-38). And many of the words Mark gives on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:9-13), Matthew gives here, as Jesus sends out the twelve (10:17-22).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions