What Sin Is More Grievous Than the Sins of Sodom and Gomorrah? (Matthew 10)

Scripture reading – Matthew 10

Click here to translate this Bible study into Hebrew, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu, or French.

* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Our study of the Gospels continues with Matthew 10. I am once again reminded that the Gospels were not written in chronological order, so we focus on Matthew 10 today, even though we have studied Matthew 11-12 in prior Bible studies.

With multitudes following Him throughout Galilee, Jesus needed fellow laborers to help Him teach and preach the “Good News” (Matthew 9:36-38). Moved by love and compassion, He told His disciples: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37). With that statement, Christ challenged them to Pray(Matthew 9:38), Go (Matthew 10:1-6), and Preach (Matthew 10:7, 27).

Matthew 10

The Twelve: Named and Commissioned (Matthew 10:1-4)

Matthew 10 marked a fundamental shift in Christ’s public ministry. Jesus called the Twelve disciples (lit. students, pupils, learners) and then commissioned them as apostles (lit. one sent out). In Mark 3, He “ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (Mark 3:14-15). Of the Twelve, Matthew identified one as “Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him” (Matthew 10:4). The future of the Gospel ministry would rest with the Twelve, excluding the traitor Judas Iscariot.

The Twelve Charged as Apostles (Matthew 10:5-6)

The disciples, now charged as apostles, were commissioned to “Go” (Matthew 10:5-6) and given two directives. First, they were told where not to go: “Go not into the way [road; path; lifestyle] of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not” (Matthew 10:5). Second, they were told where (or to whom) to go: “Go rather to the lost [dying; bound for destruction] sheep of the house of Israel [Twelve Tribes; lineage of Jacob]” (Matthew 10:6).

The Message, Miracles, and Manner of the Apostles (Matthew 10:7-10)

In Matthew 10:7-10, we find the apostles’ message: “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). We also find the miracles they performed: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils” (Matthew 10:8a). Notice that the apostles were to be selfless, humble, and faithful. They were charged, “Freely ye have received, freely give. ⁹Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, ¹⁰Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat” (Matthew 10:8b-10).

The Breadth and Limit of the Apostles’ Ministry (Matthew 10:11-14)

The apostles were to be discerning about where they stayed and to whom they ministered (Matthew 10:11-14). If a city or town rejected their message, they were instructed to deem it “not worthy…[and] to depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of [their] feet” (Matthew 10:13b-14).

“Worthy” described the hearers’ receptivity. Someone who received the Gospel and believed was counted “worthy” because their heart was open to God’s Word and they hungered for righteousness.

However, those who rejected God’s Word were deemed “not worthy” (Matthew 10:13). Shaking “off the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10:14) was an act of disdain, also practiced by the Jews when they passed through a Gentile town and before entering a Jewish city.

Closing thoughts –

Bear in mind the principle that “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). The apostles were told that God’s judgment would fall more heavily on those who heard and rejected the Gospel than on those upon whom God’s wrath fell in “the land of Sodom and Gomorrha” (Matthew 10:15). In other words, the weight and degree of God’s judgment are greater for those who have heard the Truth and rejected it than for those with little or no knowledge of God’s Word.

Be forewarned, for that same truth and warning are repeated in Hebrews 10, where we read: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins…Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God…For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.” (Hebrews 10:26a, 29a, 30a)

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

* Please subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals by entering your name and email address at the bottom of today’s devotion.

The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Heart of A Shepherd Inc as a 501c3 public charitable organization. Your donation is welcome and supports the worldwide ministry outreach of www.HeartofAShepherd.com.

Heart of A Shepherd Inc.

7853 Gunn Highway

#131

Tampa, Florida 33626-1611