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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 10:6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/40_Mat_10_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 10:6 - The Ministry of the Twelve" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/10-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/10-5.htm" title="Matthew 10:5">◄</a> Matthew 10:6 <a href="/matthew/10-7.htm" title="Matthew 10:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/10.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But go rather to those being the lost sheep of <i>the</i> house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Go only to the people of Israel, because they are like a flock of lost sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Instead, you are to go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and be going rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But go rather to those being the lost sheep of <i>the</i> house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and be going rather unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />but instead go to the sheep who have fallen away from the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But above all, go to the sheep which are lost from the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“But go especially to the sheep that have been lost of the house of Israel.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />but go rather to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>but go ye rather to the lost sheep of <i>the</i> house of Israel.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>but go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/10-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=2425" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/10.htm">The Ministry of the Twelve</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5</span>These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreuesthe (V-PMM/P-2P) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">Go</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3123.htm" title="3123: mallon (Adv) -- More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.">rather</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/622.htm" title="622: apolōlota (V-RPA-ANP) -- From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.">lost</a> <a href="/greek/4263.htm" title="4263: probata (N-ANP) -- A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.">sheep</a> <a href="/greek/3624.htm" title="3624: oikou (N-GMS) -- A dwelling; by implication, a family."></a> <a href="/greek/2474.htm" title="2474: Israēl (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.">of Israel.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">7</span>As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Matthew 15:24</a></span><br />He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-16.htm">Romans 1:16</a></span><br />I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-46.htm">Acts 13:46</a></span><br />Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a></span><br />He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-1.htm">Romans 11:1-2</a></span><br />I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Romans 11:11-12</a></span><br />I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. / But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-25.htm">Romans 11:25-26</a></span><br />I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. / And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-25.htm">Acts 3:25-26</a></span><br />And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ / When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-5.htm">Isaiah 49:5-6</a></span><br />And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— / He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Jeremiah 50:6</a></span><br />My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5-6</a></span><br />They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. / My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-11.htm">Ezekiel 34:11-12</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-16.htm">Ezekiel 34:16</a></span><br />I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-10.htm">Jeremiah 31:10</a></span><br />Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">go.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Matthew 15:24-26</a></b></br> But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/24-47.htm">Luke 24:47</a></b></br> And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/3-26.htm">Acts 3:26</a></b></br> Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.</p><p class="hdg">lost.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-11.htm">Matthew 18:11</a></b></br> For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-176.htm">Psalm 119:176</a></b></br> I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></b></br> All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/9-28.htm">House</a> <a href="/matthew/5-15.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/matthew/9-33.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/micah/5-1.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Lost</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-6.htm">Race</a> <a href="/matthew/7-11.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Wandering</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/10-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/matthew/18-30.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/matthew/10-23.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Lost</a> <a href="/mark/7-26.htm">Race</a> <a href="/matthew/10-28.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Wandering</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/10-1.htm">Jesus sends out his apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/10-5.htm">giving them their charge, teaches them;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">comforts them against persecutions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/10-40.htm">and promises a blessing to those who receive them.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Go rather</b><br>This directive emphasizes a specific mission focus. Jesus instructs His disciples to prioritize their efforts, indicating a deliberate and strategic approach to ministry. This reflects the principle of divine order and purpose in God's plan. The use of "rather" suggests a contrast to a broader mission, highlighting the importance of following divine guidance in ministry work.<p><b>to the lost sheep</b><br>The term "lost sheep" is a metaphor for those who have strayed from the covenant relationship with God. In the Old Testament, Israel is often depicted as God's flock, with God as the shepherd (Psalm 23, <a href="/ezekiel/34.htm">Ezekiel 34</a>). The imagery of sheep suggests vulnerability and the need for guidance and protection. This phrase underscores the compassion and urgency in reaching those who are spiritually wayward.<p><b>of Israel</b><br>This phrase identifies the initial target audience of Jesus' ministry. Israel, as God's chosen people, had a unique covenant relationship with Him. The focus on Israel aligns with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's coming to His people (Isaiah 53, <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a>). It also reflects Jesus' role as the promised King and Shepherd of Israel, fulfilling the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. This mission to Israel sets the stage for the later expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles, as seen in the Great Commission (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is instructing His disciples on their mission. He is the central figure in the New Testament, the Son of God, and the Savior of humanity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>The immediate audience of Jesus' instruction. They are being sent out to preach and perform miracles as part of their mission.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lost_sheep_of_the_house_of_israel.htm">The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel</a></b><br>This phrase refers to the Jewish people who have strayed from their covenant relationship with God. It emphasizes Jesus' initial focus on the Jewish nation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God in the Old Testament, representing God's covenant people. Jesus' ministry initially focuses on Israel before extending to the Gentiles.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_mission.htm">The Mission</a></b><br>The event of sending the disciples to preach the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_the_covenant_people.htm">Focus on the Covenant People</a></b><br>Jesus' initial mission was to the Jews, highlighting the importance of reaching those who have a foundational understanding of God but have strayed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>The focus on Israel demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, reminding us of His unchanging nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_the_lost.htm">Prioritizing the Lost</a></b><br>Like Jesus, we should prioritize reaching those who are spiritually lost, especially those within our own communities or families.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_timing.htm">Understanding God's Timing</a></b><br>Jesus' mission strategy shows the importance of understanding and following God's timing and plan in ministry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/expanding_the_mission.htm">Expanding the Mission</a></b><br>While the initial focus was on Israel, the mission eventually expanded to all nations, teaching us to be open to God's broader plans.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_lost_sheep_of_israel.htm">Who are the lost sheep of Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_hasn't_jesus_returned_as_promised.htm">Matthew 10:23 – Why has Jesus not returned if he promised his disciples they wouldn’t finish visiting all the towns of Israel before his coming? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_cor_9_4-14_align_with_matt_10_8-10.htm">In 1 Corinthians 9:4–14, Paul argues for financial support for apostles; how does that align with Jesus’s command in Matthew 10:8–10 to preach without seeking material gain?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_prioritize_jews_for_the_gospel.htm">Why prioritize the Jews in spreading the gospel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But go</span>. On your daily journeying (<span class="greek">πορέεσθε</span>, present). <span class="cmt_word">Rather</span>. With conscious preference. <span class="cmt_word">To the lost sheep of the house of Israel</span>. Thus also he describes his own mission (<a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Matthew 15:24</a>). The words recall <a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Jeremiah 50:6</a> (27:6, LXX.), "My people hath been lost sheep." Observe that our Lord implies a special relation of Israel to God (for the house has its owner) which was lacking in the case of all other nations. Yet, their proper teachers having proved faithless, they were now as shepherdless as these (<a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a>). <span class="accented">Lost.</span> Notice here the basis of the parable related in <a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Luke 15:4-7</a>; cf. <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12, 13</a> (ver. 11 of the Received Text is a gloss), where the term "wandering" is not so strong (Bengel). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/10-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Go</span><br /><span class="grk">πορεύεσθε</span> <span class="translit">(poreuesthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> </span><span class="str2">To travel, journey, go, die. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">rather</span><br /><span class="grk">μᾶλλον</span> <span class="translit">(mallon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3123.htm">Strong's 3123: </a> </span><span class="str2">More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">πρὸς</span> <span class="translit">(pros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> </span><span class="str2">To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὰ</span> <span class="translit">(ta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lost</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπολωλότα</span> <span class="translit">(apolōlota)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sheep</span><br /><span class="grk">πρόβατα</span> <span class="translit">(probata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4263.htm">Strong's 4263: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel.</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰσραήλ</span> <span class="translit">(Israēl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/10-6.htm">Matthew 10:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/10-6.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 10:6 Rather go to the lost sheep (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/10-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 10:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 10:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/10-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 10:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 10:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>