Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 10:6

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

Here Christ limiteth their Ministry to the Jews. The Apostle tells us, Rom. 15.8. Christ was the Minister of the Circumcision, for the truth of God to Confirm the Promises made to the Fathers, and the Apostle tells the Jews, Acts 13.46. That it was necessary, that the Word of God should be first spoken to them. Therefore in this his first Mission, he restrains his Apostles from going to the Gentiles▪ to whom they had afterwards a Commission to go, Matth. 28.19. and did go, but not before the Jews had Judged themselves unworthy of everlasting Life, Acts 13.46. by rejecting, and blaspheming the Gospel, and persecuting the Ministers of it; They are also commanded not to go into any City of the Samaritanes. The Samaritanes were partly Jews Apostatized, and partly Heathens, descended from those whom the King of Syria se[illegible: 1 letter]t thither, when the Ten Tribes were carried into Captivity, 2 Kings 17.6. and from some Iews left in the Land. You shall read of their Religion there, v. 31. to the end. They were perfectly hated by the Jews, and as perfect H[illegible: 1 letter]ters of them, as may be gathered from Luke 9.52.53, Ioh. 4.9. Our Lord, partly in regard they also were no better than Gentiles, and so hated as they were of the Jews, would not suffer these his fir[illegible: 1 letter]t Ministers to go, and preach amongst them. Not that they were forbidden (if some particular Persons, whether Gentiles or Samaritanes came to them,) to Preach to them, but only not to make it their Work to go into their Country, or Cities; the time was not yet come for this great Light to shine upon the Gentiles. But go rather to the l[illegible: 1 letter]st sheep of the house of Israel. By Israel he here meaneth the two Tribes that c[illegible: 1 letter]ave to the House of David, for the 10 Tribes ever since their Captivity, 2 Kings 17.6. had lo[illegible: 1 letter]t their share in that Name. He cal[illegible: 2 letters] them lost sheep, in the Sense that Ieremy speaks, Ch. 50.6. My People have been lost Sheep; their Shepherds have caused them to go astray. So that lost Sheep here signifies wandring Sheep, for want of proper Guides. The Jews at this time, had Miserable Teachers, so as they wandred as lost Sheep, and this Comporteth with what we had in the last Verses of the former Chapter. There was a great Harvest, and but few Labourers, he is therefore providing them Labourers, Shepherds that should gather those scattered Sheep into one Fold.

Marginal references: Cha. 15.24