Matthew 10:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When I stated, ‘He that is worthy of his wages,’ the intent was not to imply that everyone should be admitted indiscriminately. Rather, I urge you to act with great care in this matter, as it will enable you to secure both respect and provision. If the individual who welcomes you is deserving, he will undoubtedly provide for you, particularly if your needs are modest. Christ instructs us not only to identify those who are worthy but also to refrain from moving from house to house, in order to avoid offending our hosts or being criticized for excessive indulgence and carelessness. This is echoed in His words, ‘Stay there until you go out.’ Similar sentiments are reflected in the accounts of other evangelists. Notice how He thereby bestows honor upon the disciples and encourages their hosts to be more eager to welcome them, demonstrating that this approach will yield far greater glory and benefit.

He instructed them not to enter into every house, warning that mingling with the unworthy could lead to accusations against them, while entering only those of good standing would surely provide for their needs. He urged them to remain in one place and not wander from house to house, so they would not be seen as excessive in their appetite, nor cause offense to those who welcomed them for the first time.

Regarding the appointment of bishops and deacons, Paul states, “He must also have a good testimony from the outside” (1 Tim. 3:7). When the apostles arrived in a new city, they were unfamiliar with the character of its inhabitants. Thus, they had to select a host based on the positive views of the local community and the assessment of neighbors, ensuring that the integrity of their preaching would not be compromised by the poor reputation of their host. While all are called to proclaim the message, a welcoming host is specifically chosen—one who does not prioritize his own desires over those of the guest but instead recognizes that by receiving the guest, he is the one who is graced beyond what he can offer.

A primary mandate of peace and unity is directed toward those who proclaim the Gospel: they are called to promote tranquility, to remain steadfast, and to uphold the bonds of warm hospitality. This instruction makes it clear that heralds of the Kingdom of God are not to move from place to place nor disregard the principles of hospitality. They are instructed to express gratitude for the kindness offered to them and, if they encounter unwelcoming attitudes, to shake the dust off their feet and leave that city.

To prevent the impression that He has granted access to all those they assist, He instructs them to seek out an individual in each town or village deemed worthy to welcome them, specifically one who is devout and reverent towards God. They are to remain with this person until their departure from the locality, so as not to seem disrespectful to their host by moving from place to place, which could lead to misunderstandings about their intentions.

As you enter any town or village, do not approach the first person you come across. Instead, seek out those who are deserving of your presence and companionship, considering not who is the wealthiest or whose home is the grandest but rather who is kind-hearted, welcoming, and faithful, willing to embrace your message and you. This is important to avoid the negative reputation of an ungracious host from undermining the sanctity of your mission. Act with utmost consideration, as this diligence will lead to both respect and provision, particularly if you desire nothing beyond what is essential.

Upon entering a village, refrain from preaching to every individual you encounter; instead, seek out those who are deserving. When you identify someone worthy, remain in their home and use that place as a base to share your message. The Lord offers grace and peace to those who receive it; however, for those who turn it away, a fate more severe than that which befell Sodom and Gomorrah awaits. While the specific locations where the apostles preached and the duration of their stay are not recorded, it is evident that their time apart was brief. The Savior did not dispatch them all to a single location; rather, He sent them out in pairs, allowing them to minister in six different areas that He Himself had not visited.

In order to avoid casting the sacred gifts of God before those unworthy (Matt. 7:6), when entering a city or village, it is essential for them to diligently seek out individuals who are receptive to their message and able to accept it (according to Matthew). Once they identify such a deserving household, they should establish it as a gathering place for worship and remain there for the duration of their time in the area. Should they wander from home to home without purpose, it might convey the impression that they are either frivolous and restless, or egotistical and prideful, desiring to be seen everywhere, or merely seeking the comforts and luxuries of hospitality. Ultimately, such vanity is unbecoming of those who proclaim the truth.

Instructing the Apostles to remain focused on the mission assigned to them, Jesus Christ permitted them to receive nourishment from His followers. However, as Chrysostom noted, He did not grant the Apostles unrestricted access to everyone. Instead, He directed them to seek out those deserving of their message: "In whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart." In this context, "worthy" refers to those whose faith and conduct align with righteousness. While they were called to proclaim repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven to all, including sinners, they were instructed to reside only in the homes of the pious. As Jerome commented, this was to ensure that the reputation of those hosting the Apostles would not tarnish the honor of their preaching.

Their purpose, akin to the most significant and impactful missions throughout history, was to embody profound simplicity while relying on their personal means. The warm hospitality typical of the Eastern cultures, which has frequently facilitated the dissemination of new teachings, would greatly benefit them. Upon entering a city, they were to seek out a home that might offer a warm reception and extend to it the ancient and cherished blessing, ‘Peace be unto this house.’ If the household is deserving of this blessing, it will be realized; if not, it will return to them.

"Who is deemed worthy": in this context, worthy of remaining and residing with Him who is good, devout, and receptive to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, as well as to the messengers themselves, "lest by the unkind glory of him who received (the apostles) the dignity of the preaching itself should be put to shame" (Hieron.). The Lord instructs the Apostles not to change their dwelling place without cause, as such actions would not align with their dignity or their divine calling; it would hinder their focus on their primary mission of preaching. Instead, they should remain in the home that welcomed them with kindness. "Lest they should be labeled as gluttonous, and lest the one who receives them should take offense" (Theophil., cf. Chrysostom).

Unencumbered by worldly worries, they felt an even greater urgency to commit themselves to their divinely appointed tasks. Whenever you enter a town or city, assess who is deserving of your presence there and remain with them until you leave. Upon entering a house, greet it with a kiss, proclaiming, “Peace be unto this house.” If the home is deserving, your peace will rest upon it; if not, your peace will return to you. Furthermore, if anyone refuses to welcome you or heed your message, as you depart from that house or town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them, signaling your desire for separation. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.