Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Original Language Analysis
θεραπεύετε
Heal
G2323
θεραπεύετε
Heal
Strong's:
G2323
Word #:
2 of 12
to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)
ἐγείρετε
raise
G1453
ἐγείρετε
raise
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
6 of 12
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ἐλάβετε
ye have received
G2983
ἐλάβετε
ye have received
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
10 of 12
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
Cross References
Acts 3:6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.Acts 4:30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.Matthew 10:1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.Luke 10:9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Mark 16:18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Historical Context
These miracles authenticated the gospel message as from God. The 'freely received, freely give' principle doesn't forbid ministers receiving support (1 Corinthians 9:14) but prohibits selling spiritual gifts or making ministry a business. The gospel is grace, not transaction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle 'freely received, freely give' shape your approach to ministry?
- Which of these four ministry activities has God called you to exercise?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command 'Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils' commissions the disciples to do what they had seen Jesus do. The list moves from lesser to greater miracles, demonstrating kingdom authority over disease, uncleanness, death, and demons—reversing the curse. The principle 'freely ye have received, freely give' establishes grace-based ministry. They received authority as gift, not achievement, so must minister without charging for spiritual service.