45. Sending Out the Twelve Two by Two
7And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two.37He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. 38Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into his harvest.”
24“The disciple is not above his master; nor the servant above his lord. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be on a level with his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household.”
26“So have no fear of them. Nothing is covered that shall not be revealed, or hidden that shall not be known. 27What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light. What you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.”
29“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than a great many sparrows.”
36“A man's foes will be those of his own household. 37He who loves father or mother more than this gospel is not worthy of the kingdom.”
6And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel everywhere.a
(Mk. 6:7; Mt. 9:37–38, 10:24–31, 36–37; Lk. 9:6)
a “And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel everywhere.”—The core message Jesus directed his apostles to bring to the world was known as “the gospel of the kingdom.” This is the good news that we are all children of God and through faith we may realize and experience this ennobling truth. (See also Ch. 34, fn. a.)
Mk. 6:7 two. / two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. (RSV)
Mt. 9:37 He / Then he (RSV) • is plenteous, but (KJV) / is plentiful, but (RSV) • out more laborers (LAM) / out laborers (RSV)
Mt. 10:24 (KJV)
Mt. 10:25 (KJV) • be on a level with his (Wey) / be as his (KJV)
Mt. 10:26 them. Nothing / them for nothing (RSV) • that shall not (KJV) / that will not (RSV)
Mt. 10:27 light. What / light; and what (RSV)
Mt. 10:30 Even / But even (RSV)
Mt. 10:36 A / And a (RSV) • than this gospel is / than me is (RSV) • of the kingdom. / of me. (RSV)
Lk. 9:6 gospel everywhere. / gospel and healing everywhere. (RSV) (150:4/1681–2)
