Matthew 10:6
New International Version
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

New Living Translation
but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep.

English Standard Version
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

Berean Literal Bible
But go rather to those being the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

King James Bible
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

New King James Version
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

NASB 1995
but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

NASB 1977
but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Amplified Bible
but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

American Standard Version
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Go only to the people of Israel, because they are like a flock of lost sheep.

English Revised Version
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.

Good News Translation
Instead, you are to go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

International Standard Version
Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

NET Bible
Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.

World English Bible
Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and be going rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Berean Literal Bible
But go rather to those being the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
and be going rather unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
but instead go to the sheep who have fallen away from the house of Israel.

New American Bible
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But above all, go to the sheep which are lost from the house of Israel.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But go especially to the sheep that have been lost of the house of Israel.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Godbey New Testament
But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Haweis New Testament
but go rather to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel.

Mace New Testament
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Weymouth New Testament
but, instead of that, go to the lost sheep of Israel's race.

Worrell New Testament
but go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Worsley New Testament
but go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ministry of the Twelve
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’…

Cross References
Matthew 15:24
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

John 1:11
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

Romans 11:1-2
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:

Romans 11:11-12
I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. / But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!

Romans 11:25-26
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. / And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.

Acts 3:25-26
And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ / When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 49:5-6
And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— / He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Jeremiah 50:6
My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.

Ezekiel 34:5-6
They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. / My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’

Ezekiel 34:11-12
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

Ezekiel 34:16
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’

Jeremiah 31:10
Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.


Treasury of Scripture

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

go.

Matthew 15:24-26
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel…

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 3:26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

lost.

Matthew 18:11
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Psalm 119:176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

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House Instead Israel Israel's Lost Race Rather Sheep Wandering
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House Instead Israel Israel's Lost Race Rather Sheep Wandering
Matthew 10
1. Jesus sends out his apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;
5. giving them their charge, teaches them;
16. comforts them against persecutions;
40. and promises a blessing to those who receive them.














Go rather
This directive emphasizes a specific mission focus. Jesus instructs His disciples to prioritize their efforts, indicating a deliberate and strategic approach to ministry. This reflects the principle of divine order and purpose in God's plan. The use of "rather" suggests a contrast to a broader mission, highlighting the importance of following divine guidance in ministry work.

to the lost sheep
The term "lost sheep" is a metaphor for those who have strayed from the covenant relationship with God. In the Old Testament, Israel is often depicted as God's flock, with God as the shepherd (Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34). The imagery of sheep suggests vulnerability and the need for guidance and protection. This phrase underscores the compassion and urgency in reaching those who are spiritually wayward.

of Israel
This phrase identifies the initial target audience of Jesus' ministry. Israel, as God's chosen people, had a unique covenant relationship with Him. The focus on Israel aligns with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's coming to His people (Isaiah 53, Jeremiah 31:31-34). It also reflects Jesus' role as the promised King and Shepherd of Israel, fulfilling the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. This mission to Israel sets the stage for the later expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles, as seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is instructing His disciples on their mission. He is the central figure in the New Testament, the Son of God, and the Savior of humanity.

2. The Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' instruction. They are being sent out to preach and perform miracles as part of their mission.

3. The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel
This phrase refers to the Jewish people who have strayed from their covenant relationship with God. It emphasizes Jesus' initial focus on the Jewish nation.

4. Israel
The nation chosen by God in the Old Testament, representing God's covenant people. Jesus' ministry initially focuses on Israel before extending to the Gentiles.

5. The Mission
The event of sending the disciples to preach the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons.
Teaching Points
Focus on the Covenant People
Jesus' initial mission was to the Jews, highlighting the importance of reaching those who have a foundational understanding of God but have strayed.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The focus on Israel demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, reminding us of His unchanging nature.

Prioritizing the Lost
Like Jesus, we should prioritize reaching those who are spiritually lost, especially those within our own communities or families.

Understanding God's Timing
Jesus' mission strategy shows the importance of understanding and following God's timing and plan in ministry.

Expanding the Mission
While the initial focus was on Israel, the mission eventually expanded to all nations, teaching us to be open to God's broader plans.Verse 6. - But go. On your daily journeying (πορέεσθε, present). Rather. With conscious preference. To the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Thus also he describes his own mission (Matthew 15:24). The words recall Jeremiah 50:6 (27:6, LXX.), "My people hath been lost sheep." Observe that our Lord implies a special relation of Israel to God (for the house has its owner) which was lacking in the case of all other nations. Yet, their proper teachers having proved faithless, they were now as shepherdless as these (Matthew 9:36). Lost. Notice here the basis of the parable related in Luke 15:4-7; cf. Matthew 18:12, 13 (ver. 11 of the Received Text is a gloss), where the term "wandering" is not so strong (Bengel).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Go
πορεύεσθε (poreuesthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

rather
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

lost
ἀπολωλότα (apolōlota)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

sheep
πρόβατα (probata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.

of Israel.
Ἰσραήλ (Israēl)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.


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