“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
Christ is speaking of receiving the men themselves, not merely their doctrine, though the latter springs from the former. His point aims at this: whoever treats His disciples with kindness and hospitality, He reckons as done to Himself, so greatly does He love them. God the Father Himself finds such an offering pleasing.
AI summary
Christ sends you as sheep into wolves' jaws, so you must learn to combine the serpent's cunning with the dove's innocence. He forewarned the disciples of sufferings to come, not to shake their faith, but to steel it; when troubles arrive as He predicted, they will confirm rather than destroy what you believe.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 10:16-42
A prophet here means a Gospel preacher. To receive him in the prophet's name is to honor him for his office as a faithful minister, not for his learning or natural gifts. Such hospitality earns the prophet's reward, which is the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, a reward of grace alone.
AI summary