There are two views of how to determine whether a house in a town or village is worthy:
Those who accept the apostles in their homes are called
worthy
in Matthew 10:11 because accepting an apostle into your home is a great honour (Hebrews 13:2). Whether thehouse is worthy
(Matthew 10:13) depends on how it receives the apostle and his message (Matthew 10:14).When entering a town or a village, the apostles should not ask about their hosts from their neighbours, but rather talk to the owners of the house themselves. If they find that they are true brethren in the faith, they must stay in the house until they leave that town or village. Apostles must not give the impression that they are seeking the best, richest, or newest address. He must be satisfied with the food and shelter Christ provides, however humble.
Interpretation 1:
Those who accept the traveling apostles into their homes are called worthy
in Matthew 10:11 because accepting an apostle into your home is a great honour (Hebrews 13:2). Whether the house is worthy
(Matthew 10:13) must be determined in light of how it receives the apostle and whether it embraces his message (Matthew 10:14).1
Interpretation 2:
When entering a town or a village, the apostles ought not to inquire regarding their hosts from their neighbours, but rather talk to the owners of the house themselves. If they find that they are indeed true brethren in the faith, they must remain in the house until their departure from that town or village. The apostle must strictly avoid giving the impression that he is looking for the best, richest, or newest address. He must be satisfied with the food and shelter Christ provides, however humble they are.2
11 Dans quelque ville ou village que vous entriez, informez-vous s'il s'y trouve quelque homme digne de vous recevoir; et demeurez chez lui jusqu'à ce que vous partiez.