And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
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
Verse 42. These little ones. By these are clearly meant his disciples. They are called little ones, to denote their want of wealth, rank, learning, and whatever the world calls great. They were little in the estimation of the world, and in their own estimation. They were learners, not yet teachers; and they made no pretensions to what attracts the admiration of mankind. A cup of cold water only.
The Samaritans, though descended from pagan colonists, had adopted Jewish religion with admixtures of their own, placing them between Jews and Gentiles. When the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, the apostles' prohibition was lifted: they were to witness first in Jerusalem and Judea, then in Samaria, then to the uttermost earth.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 10:5-42