Matthew 10:40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This was sufficient to encourage individuals to welcome those who serve for their salvation. Certainly, who would not welcome with great eagerness individuals of such courage and fearlessness, who traverse the world with the strength of lions, yet remain indifferent to the salvation of others? Nevertheless, the Lord extends an additional blessing, indicating that He values those who welcome others more than those who are welcomed. While He grants the latter the initial recognition by stating, He that receiveth you receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me, what honor could rival that of embracing both the Father and the Son?

He encourages us to welcome those who belong to Christ, for whoever respects His followers shows reverence to Him, and through Him to the Father as well.

An extraordinary order! He commissions others to proclaim and instruct that there is no reason to be afraid of threats and aligns the spirit's actions with faith. He turned away from wealth and eliminated the use of bronze from their attire. But how then are they to obtain sustenance? From where will they find the essentials for living? Accordingly, He alleviates the severity of the commandments with the assurance of promises, declaring, ‘Whoever receives you, receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives Him who sent Me,’ so let all believers understand that by welcoming the appointed apostles, they have received Christ Himself.

He expressed this while revealing to the disciples the homes of the faithful. Who would not joyfully welcome them, knowing that in doing so, they receive the Son, and through the Son, the Father?

The individual who welcomes a prophet, doing so in the spirit of the prophet, will obtain the reward intended for that prophet (Matt. 10:41). By embracing a prophet, one is also welcoming the Spirit of the prophet, making themselves deserving of the prophet's reward through this reception. Similarly, when one welcomes a righteous individual, they are granted equal reward, and that righteous person is recognized for their virtue as a result of their righteousness. Therefore, righteousness is achieved through faith, and fulfilling one's obligations yields rewards; God provides countless chances to attain everlasting life. When one accepts a righteous individual or a prophet, they themselves are honored and credited with the status of a righteous person or a prophet.

When the time of trials arises, a person who disregards their own life and surrenders their spirit for the sake of holiness takes up their cross to follow the Lord, thereby gaining eternal life. As Christ teaches: ‘He that hath lost his life shall lose it, and he that hath lost his life for my sake shall find it’ (Matthew 10:39). What does it signify that ‘He who destroys his soul shall find it’? The human being consists of two parts: the outward person, which is the body, and the inward person, which is the soul. Thus, when our physical being submits to death, it results in the separation from the soul; however, when one willingly lays down their life for Christ and the Gospel, they truly preserve their soul, endowing it with eternal and divine life.

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and in welcoming me, welcomes the One who sent me. Whoever respects you respects me, and in doing so, they are honoring my Father through me. What can truly equal the honor of embracing both the Father and the Son? Yet, alongside this, He also assures another blessing:

In providing guidance and solace to His disciples, Jesus Christ spoke of the blessings awaiting those who welcome them in His name: ‘Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. Those who accept you as prophets or as righteous individuals, recognizing your prophetic calling or righteousness, will obtain the reward that a prophet or righteous person receives; indeed, even the one who offers you a cup of cold water to quench your thirst, honoring you merely as My disciples, will not miss out on reward.’

Those who aspire to be authentic disciples of Christ must surrender all for His glory, embrace their cross, and follow Him. In a comforting response, He reminded them that they are to be as He was during His earthly ministry; those who welcome them are also welcoming Him. He imparted that sacrificing one's life for His cause holds greater significance than merely preserving it, and even a humble offering, like a cup of cold water given to the least of His followers, will not go unnoticed in the kingdom of heaven.

The overarching message of these concluding verses emphasizes that during times of hardship and persecution, there should be heartfelt and genuine assistance among believers. Those who extend such support will be rewarded in the kingdom of Christ. ‘The Lord conveyed these truths (words: 40-42), revealing to the disciples the abodes of the faithful’ Euth. Sig.

In summary, the emphasis was placed on the blessings that are promised to those who contribute to the proclamation of the Gospel; they become partakers and collaborators in this sacred mission, which the Lord refers to as having been entrusted to Him by God the Father (John 4:34; 17:4): He that receives you receives Me, and he that receives Me receives Him that sent Me: he that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.