Matthew 10:18 Commentary and Bible Study

This will be done not only in the Jewish nation but before Gentile kings ‘for a testimony against them.’ Even though Christ has given clear instructions that at present the disciples are not to go into any city of the Samaritans, or into the way of the Gentiles, the gospel will in future be preached to the Gentiles, and without question this will be done under God’s instruction. The prophecies given to Abraham and the prophecies of Isaiah and many others must be fulfilled. After the resurrection Christ would change his instruction to the disciples and send them into all the world to preach the gospel. During their training period they were maybe not ready for that, and besides the gospel must first be preached to Israel. But the call of the Gentiles was not some plan B in God’s purpose, as if it only happened because Israel rejected the message. It was always God’s intention that Abraham be the father of many nations, and the Gentiles have been brought in as ‘fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel’ (Ephesians 3:6).When Christ says this to the apostles, he says it also to the whole church. It will be a testimony both ‘to them’ and ‘against them’. ‘Not many mighty, not many noble, are called’, but some are. The testimony of lowly disciples before kings will leave them without excuse. The disciples will speak clearly enough to convey the gospel to them, even if they have not heard it directly before. We may be called to speak before the great ones of the earth. If they will not hear it is a testimony against them because they have clearly heard the truth and have not believed it.