Mat 10:5-6 | Family | STEP | Gentiles ; those who were not Jews. Samaritans ; they occupied a country on the north of Judea, lying between Judea and Galilee, which formerly belonged to the tribe of Ephraim and the half tribe of Manasseh. After these tribes were carried captive by the king of Assyria, it was peopled to a great extent by heathen, and the religion of the Samaritans was a mixture of Judaism and paganism. He appoints to his disciples the place of their labors, and though it may not be the one which, if left to ourselves, we should choose, we must learn, whatsoever place or state he chooses for us, therewith to be content.

Matthew 10:5-6

Gentiles; those who were not Jews.

Samaritans; they occupied a country on the north of Judea, lying between Judea and Galilee, which formerly belonged to the tribe of Ephraim and the half tribe of Manasseh. After these tribes were carried captive by the king of Assyria, it was peopled to a great extent by heathen, and the religion of the Samaritans was a mixture of Judaism and paganism. 2Ki 17.24 He appoints to his disciples the place of their labors, and though it may not be the one which, if left to ourselves, we should choose, we must learn, whatsoever place or state he chooses for us, therewith to be content. Lost sheep; expressive of their wandering and dangerous condition.

The house of Israel; the Jews, descendants of Israel, and hence called Israelites. As the Jews were the covenant people of God, it was proper that the gospel should be first preached to them. The Christian dispensation, moreover, which knows no distinction between Jews and Gentiles, was not fully established till after our Lord's ascent and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.