Bible Strands
Matthew 10:41
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks these words to his twelve disciples during his final commissioning before sending them out on their mission. He outlines the practical realities and divine assurances they will encounter while carrying his authority.
The words — The Greek verb δεχόμενος (dechomenos) means "receiving" or "welcoming," and the noun μισθόν (misthon) translates directly to "reward." These terms anchor the verse's conditional promise on the deliberate act of hospitality directed toward specific God-sent figures.
The thread — This theme of rewarded hospitality appears in 3 John 1:5 regarding faithful service to strangers and in Hebrews 6:10 where God remembers work done for His name. The promise also echoes the prophetic reward motif seen in 2 Kings 4:16.
Why it lands — The text states that hospitality extended to prophets and righteous people because of their divine calling will be met with a corresponding reward. It asks the reader to recognize that practical support for God's messengers carries eternal weight and requires deliberate, purposeful action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Cross-references
- 3 John 1:5 Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
- Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- 2 Kings 4:16 And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.”
- 2 Kings 4:8 One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
- Luke 14:13 But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind,
- 1 Kings 18:3 and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,
- 2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
- Genesis 20:7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”
- 2 Kings 4:32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed.
- Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.