Page "Gospel of Matthew" Paragraph 18

From the authoritative words of Jesus the gospel turns to three sets of three miracles interwoven with two sets of two discipleship stories ( the second narrative ), followed by a discourse on mission and suffering.

Jesus commissions the Twelve Disciples and sends them to preach to the Jews, perform miracles, and prophesy the imminent coming of the Kingdom, commanding them to travel lightly, without staff or sandals, and to be prepared for persecution.

Scholars are divided over whether these rules originated with Jesus or with apostolic practice.