Matthew 10:34–39 tells the apostles about the path of Christ and of his followers, including those who will become followers through his word. The twelve apostles see a glimpse of the future: something not given to the crowds, who would only hear that later, at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:34–9:1). Jesus does not give this vision of the future as the point of their preaching, for their task is clearly described in Matthew 10:5–15, and its immediate effects are foretold in Matthew 10:16–33—but he begins to set the context for their work, now and later on: especially the unwillingness of many to believe, foreshadowing the opposition that will bring him to his cross. However, suffering should not discourage them, because Jesus honours his dishonoured missionaries: Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me
(Matthew 10:34): that is, the One who sanctioned my coming.
Matthew 10:34–39 contains an instruction to the twelve apostles concerning the path of Christ and the path of his followers, including those who will also be won for him through his word. The twelve apostles are now given a glimpse of the future—something Jesus does not yet reveal to the crowds. That disclosure would only come later, at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:34–9:1). Here this vision of the future is not given so that the apostles might already make it the substance of their preaching, for their commission is clearly described in Matthew 10:5–15, and its immediate effects are foretold in Matthew 10:16–33. Yet here in Matthew 10:34–39 we already hear something of the background against which that mission must be understood. This background will gradually become clearer in the teaching of Jesus. By paying close attention on this first journey, the twelve apostles would be able to begin to discern the signs of what lies ahead. The unwillingness of many to believe is no passing phenomenon, however. Jesus sharpens the eyes of the apostles so that they may already perceive the faint outlines of his cross. Suffering should therefore not discourage them as they are sent out, but on the contrary, Jesus holds his dishonoured missionaries in high regard: Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me
(Matthew 10:34): that is, the one who sanctioned my coming.1
34 Ne croyez pas que je sois venu apporter la paix sur la terre; je ne suis pas venu apporter la paix, mais l'épée.