←
Explanation for:
Matthew
10
:
14
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.
10
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The dust is brushed off their feet as a witness to their efforts because they had come into the city, and the apostles' message had been shared with its people. Alternatively, this act may signify that they will not accept even the slightest necessities of life from those who reject the gospel."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He equipped them to become devoted followers of righteousness and messengers to all creation; thus, by instructing them in self-restraint and preparing them for acceptance, He declared: \\"And if any man receive you not, and hearken not to your words, when he goeth out of that house, or out of that city, shake off the dust from your feet.\\" He implies that they should not anticipate reception from others simply because they hold the role of teachers; rather, they should first offer respect to those they encounter. What does it signify when He says, \\"Shake off the dust from your feet\\"? It indicates either that the apostles took nothing from those they visited or attests to the significant journey the apostles undertook for their sake. Notice that the Lord refrained from granting full gifts to the apostles; He withheld foreknowledge, allowing them to discern who was worthy through their experiences. Why did He associate with the tax collector? Because the tax collector underwent transformation and became deserving of grace. Observe too that even as He stripped the apostles of worldly goods, He bestowed upon them great wealth by permitting them to reside in the homes where they taught, entering unencumbered by possessions. This enabled them to release themselves from worry and affirm to their hosts that they came solely for the people’s salvation—this was evident in their lack of material goods and that they requested only what was essential.\\n\\nThe Lord sought to see the apostles honored not merely by miraculous acts but chiefly through their character. Indeed, nothing embodies virtue so plainly as the absence of excess and a spirit of contentment with the minimal. Even the false teachers recognized this truth, prompting Paul to declare, \\"Yes, they who boast about Him will be found like us.\\" If, in foreign lands, we ought to ask for nothing beyond our daily sustenance, how much more should we expect to do the same at home? We must not merely listen to words but actively apply them. This applies not just to the apostles but to all saints who followed in their footsteps. Therefore, let us strive to be worthy recipients of them. The response of those who welcome them can vary, and the world's acceptance and dismissal do not rely solely on the authority of the teachers, but also on the dignity of the hosts. We should not consider it trivial if we are deprived of that peace which the prophet heralded: \\"The feet of those who preach peace are red,\\" and in further explaining the value of peace, he added, \\"Good tidings of good things.\\" Christ underscored the significance of this peace when He proclaimed, \\"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.\\" Thus, we should exert ourselves to fully experience this peace both within our homes and in the church. In the church, the minister conveys peace, serving as a reflection of the peace that Christ provides, and as such, should be welcomed with due diligence, offering him not merely a meal but favor. If failing to extend hospitality is a grave misstep, how much more severe is it to dismiss the one who blesses the meal? For you, the presbyter stands; for you, the teacher labors diligently. What excuse can we offer when we disregard his teachings? The church is a shared sanctuary, where we enter following the example of the apostles, and as we enter in accordance with Christ's command, we extend peace to all. Therefore, let no one be careless, and let no one be distracted when ministers enter and teach, for there is a serious consequence for such negligence.\\n\\nI would rather endure scorn a thousand times as I enter your homes than remain unheeded when here I greet you with peace. The latter offense weighs heavier upon me because this house bears significance far beyond the former; here lie our immense treasures and all that we hold dear. What within these walls is not grand, what is not dignified? The meal shared here surpasses any served in your homes, and this lamp serves as your lampstand. Those who have been anointed with the oil of faith and have been restored understand this fully. This treasury is incomparable; it is far more vital than your own, for it holds not clothing but alms, though perhaps few enrich it. Even here, a bed surpasses yours, for the comfort of Scripture far exceeds any physical rest. If we maintained true unity, we would need no other dwelling than this. The early believers, numbering three thousand and five thousand, had both home and meal, yet remained one in heart and soul. Although we may fall short of this virtue and dwell apart, let us at least strive to embody it when we gather. If we find ourselves lacking in other respects, let us at least excel in this. Therefore, when we approach you, receive us with love. When I utter, \\"Peace be with you,\\" respond, \\"And with your spirit,\\" not merely with your voice but with your heart; not just with your lips but with your spirit. Otherwise, saying \\"Peace be upon thy spirit\\" while harboring contempt or venting grievances against me outside this sacred space renders that peace hollow. Yet, even if you were to slander me endlessly, I extend peace from a pure and sincere heart. I cannot utter ill of you; I carry a parental heart, and while I may periodically admonish, it stems from concern. If you harbor secret resentment and fail to welcome me in the Lord's house, my fear is not for personal insult but rather for the punishment you bring upon yourself by rejecting this community, which only heightens my sorrow.\\n\\nEven though I may not shake off the dust nor depart from you, the consequence of rejection still holds. I have often greeted you with peace and will persist in doing so. Even in the face of disdain, I will not shake off the dust, not out of disobedience to the Lord, but because my love for you is profound. Moreover, I have not brought burdens before you, nor have I traveled far empty-handed as the apostles did; I do not arrive without footwear or clothing. Perhaps you too have neglected your obligations in this regard. Yet this is insufficient justification for your behavior. We must accept a more severe condemnation, though it does not absolve your actions. In the past, homes served as churches, but now the church resembles a residence. Once, homes engaged solely in spiritual matters, but now the church mirrors worldly dialogues. You conduct yourselves as if in a marketplace; when God speaks, instead of listening quietly, you are preoccupied with unrelated chatter. I lament this, and my tears will not cease. I cannot abandon this house; we are called to reside here until we leave this life, as Paul implored. His words were not about meals but about the heart and genuine intention. We ask the same of you: love unreservedly and sincerely. Even if this is challenging, relinquish your current apathy and learn to cherish one another. Our consolation lies in your growth in virtue. In such cases, my love will deepen; if I love too much, perhaps it will be less reciprocated.\\n\\nNumerous reasons unite us in fellowship: we share one meal, one Father who has given us life, and we partake from one cup. The Father, seeking to inspire our mutual affection, utilized the very act of sharing the cup as a testament to strong kinship. However, you may argue that we cannot match the apostles, and indeed I concede. We are unworthy not only of their stature but even their shadow. Yet, it remains incumbent upon you to fulfill your part. Doing so not only brings you honor but greater reward. We do not speak for ourselves; we have no earthly teacher. What we have received, we share, expecting nothing in return save for your love. If we are unworthy of love by our own merit, we at least have it for our affection towards you. We are commanded to love not just our friends but even our adversaries. Who among you, emboldened by such a directive, would turn away and harbor animosity toward those who love him, despite his flaws? We have participated in the spiritual feast; let us also cultivate spiritual love. If thieves at the shared table can set aside their wickedness, what excuse do we have, who partake of the Lord's body, not even emulating their humility? Many bonds of friendship arise, not merely from a shared meal but also from shared origins. We, however, share far more—home, table, path, entrance, roots, life, head, Shepherd, King, Teacher, Judge, Creator, and Father. What defense shall we offer for separating ourselves from each other?\\n\\nYou ask us for miracles as the apostles did; you wish for us to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. But true generosity and love manifest when you believe in God without requiring signs. God's abstention from miraculous works is instructive. If, without miracles, those possessing eloquence or piety are full of pride and contention, what would it mean if miracles were present? I say this not from speculation but with evidence from the Corinthians, whose divisions arose from scratching at miracles rather than the essence of faith. Seek not wonders, but the healing of your souls. Desire not to witness one raised from the dead when you know that all shall rise; do not yearn to see the blind restored but instead recognize how all are beginning to perceive more clearly. Endeavor to gaze soberly and fix your sight rightly. Truly, if we lived as we ought, the pagans would marvel at us more than at the miracle workers. Though miracles can sometimes be viewed with skepticism, a virtuous life is beyond reproach and confounds all doubts. Therefore, let us pursue virtue, the greatest treasure and miracle. It offers true liberation, demonstrating freedom within servitude—not by breaking the yoke but by ennobling the servant beyond the free. It does not convert poverty into wealth but renders the impoverished more capable than the wealthy. If you seek to effect miracles, absolve yourself of sins, for all shall follow accordingly. Beloved, sin is the most formidable foe. Should you vanquish it, you would achieve more than those who expel throngs of demons.\\n\\nReflect upon how Paul esteemed virtue above miraculous feats, urging us to strive for greater gifts and indicating the superior way, wherein he neglected to mention raising the dead or cleansing lepers in favor of agape love. Christ also instructed us, \\"Do not rejoice, because your souls obey you; but because your names are written in heaven.\\" Many will claim, \\"Did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons, and perform mighty deeds?\\" Yet He will proclaim, \\"I never knew you.\\" Even before His suffering on the Cross, He stated, \\"All of you will know this, that you are My disciples if you have love for one another,\\" not for your miraculous works. \\"By this all will know that You sent Me—not by raising the dead but through their unity.\\" Miracles often serve others while putting the miracle worker at risk of pride or other pitfalls; yet, righteous acts bless both the doer and those impacted. Consequently, let us undertake good deeds wholeheartedly. Those who transform from hardness to mercy heal a withered hand; those who forsake distractions for worship mend the lameness of spirit. Eyeing virtue rather than vice restores sight; learning spiritual hymns instead of worldly songs transforms mouths into silence. Such deeds constitute the most remarkable miracles! If we consistently enact such shifts, we will blossom into greatness and draw the wicked toward virtue, attaining the eternal life granted to us by the grace and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him belongs glory and dominion for eternity. Amen."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"“Dust off your feet” signifies that the Lord will impose discipline upon them, as even the dust that clings to them on their journey is thrown back upon them, serving as a reminder that those they encounter will ultimately return to them as judges. If one accepts the ashes cast away by the righteous without repentance, he renders himself deserving of retribution against the righteous who have been tainted by the ashes, yet not by their own sinfulness."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"A primary directive of peace and unity is bestowed upon preachers; they are mandated to spread tranquility, remain steadfast, and adhere to the principles of gracious hospitality. This directive emphasizes that those who proclaim the kingdom of God should not roam from home to home nor disrupt the traditions of hospitality. They are instructed to express gratitude for the hospitality received and, if unwelcome, to shake off the dust from their feet and depart from that city. It is taught that acts of hospitality lead to abundant blessings: those who extend kindness do not only pass on peace, but if they have been touched by the dust from the missteps of their transient earthly existence, they shall be cleansed because they embraced the footsteps of the apostolic messengers. Furthermore, it is significant that in the Gospel of Matthew, the apostles are advised to select the homes they enter to avoid altering their residence and breaching the customs of hospitality. However, the host is not required to exercise such discretion; to do so would undermine the essence of hospitality itself.\\n\\nWhile the literal interpretation of this sacred call to hospitality is praiseworthy, its deeper sacramental meaning offers profound beauty. In choosing a home, one seeks a host worthy of honor. It prompts us to consider whether it suggests that preference should be given to the Church and to Christ. What home could be more appropriate for the apostles' visit than the holy Church? And above all, who deserves greater reverence than Christ, who humbly washes the feet of His guests (cf. John 13:4-10)? It has been remarked that St. Ambrose alluded to the tradition of the Church in Mediolanum of washing the feet of newly baptized individuals prior to the Eucharist. He does not allow those welcomed into His abode to remain there with unclean feet. Even if they carry the stains of their former lives, He lovingly purifies them for the life to come. He is the sole One whom we should never forsake or exchange for another lord. He is the One we should seek out, saying, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have come to believe' (John 6:68-69). Peter exemplified this by accepting welcome, thereby deserving to partake in heavenly sanctification.\\n\\nThus, the foremost matter to reflect upon is the faith of the Church. If Christ resides there, it must inevitably be a chosen place! However, if the congregation consists of non-believers or if a heretical teacher brings dishonor to the house, one must not engage with heretics and should depart from such assemblies. One ought to shake off the dust from one's feet, lest one's soul become tainted with the aridity of barren disbelief, akin to dry ground (cf. Sallustius: bel. Iug. 48:3). The gospel preacher is to bear the physical shortcomings of the faithful and cleanse his own path by clearing away their empty deeds, as articulated in the scripture, 'Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?' (2 Cor. 11:29). Should a church reject the true faith and lack a solid foundation in apostolic teachings, it must be forsaken to prevent the spread of disbelief. The Apostle instructs clearly: 'After a first and second admonition, reject a divisive man' (Titus 3:10)."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Lord wants them to brush off the dust, indicating that they gained nothing from their experience due to their lack of faith, or demonstrating that the journey they undertook was extensive and ultimately fruitless."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Mark stated, \\"Shake off the dust that is under your feet for a witness to them,\\" meaning this action serves as a rebuke. This act of shaking off signifies that they not only took nothing from that place but also removed the dust, which they deemed unholy because of their presence."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"If anyone refuses to assist you, disregards you, and does not heed your message, as you depart from that house or city, shake the dust off your feet as a declaration that you have made a significant journey to reach them without any gain due to their disbelief. Consequently, regard them as excluded Gentiles, with whom you should have no association, not even the dust. This practice was carried out by the apostles, as evidenced in the Acts of the Apostles, specifically in chapter 13, verse 51, and chapter 18, verse 6."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The instruction to dust off their feet signifies the Jewish belief that the soil and dirt touched by Gentiles was impure and needed to be cast aside. Thus, this directive from the Lord implies that the apostles should regard those who reject their message and ministry as unclean Gentiles, emphasizing the importance of separating from them. The Book of Acts provides instances of the apostles practicing this teaching (Acts 13:51, Acts 18:6)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"If someone denies you a place to stay and refuses to heed your message, do not remain in that home or town. As you depart, make it clear that you disassociate yourself from them, even if you wish to avoid carrying away the dust of that place: shake off the dust from your feet. The Jews were concerned about becoming impure through contact with Gentiles and believed that even the ground Gentiles walked upon was contaminated; therefore, they felt it necessary to remove the dust of Gentile territory from their feet to purify themselves. By sending the apostles exclusively to the Jews and instructing them to treat those Jews who rejected them just as they would the Gentiles, Jesus indicated that these rejecting Jews were worse than Gentiles. It will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Should they be met with rejection, they ought to dust off their feet as a witness that they have proclaimed the truth, thus symbolically purging themselves of any obligation regarding the judgement destined to be harsher upon those who obstinately despise the light than upon the most shadowy corners of the pagan realm, where the light is absent or barely visible."}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
