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Pentecost Season · Proper 6 · Year A

Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

The Workers Are Few

June 14, 2026

The Exhortation to the Apostles, James Tissot
The Exhortation to the Apostles, James Tissot, 1886–94Brooklyn Museum, New York
From Tissot's Palestine series. The twelve are grouped close around a seated figure, and several of them look uncertain.The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few … Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples … These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions.James TissotA French painter of fashionable society who, after a religious experience, spent the rest of his life illustrating the Bible.Brooklyn Museum, New YorkNew York's second largest museum, holding a celebrated Egyptian collection and Tissot's entire Bible series.Brooklyn Museum, New York
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 9:35-10:8, (9-23)Mt 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
EpistleRom. 5:1-8Rom 5:1-8
Old TestamentGen. 18:1-15, (21:1-7)Gn 18:1-15, (21:1-7)Alt. OTExod. 19:2-8aEx 19:2-8a
PsalterPs. 116:1-2, 12-19Ps 116:1-2, 12-19Alt. PsalmPs. 100Ps 100

Overview & Insights

“‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest.’” (Matthew 9:37–38)

In the second major Matthean discourse Jesus calls the Twelve to lead in mission to Israel, following his model as an authentic shepherd of God’s people despite persecution.

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Take it further: Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 9:35-10:8Commentary on Mt 9:35-10:8 Working Preacher

Lectionary commentary on Jesus' compassion and the commissioning of the Twelve.

Matthew 10 CommentaryMt 10 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on the naming and sending of the twelve apostles.

Matthew 9:35 CommentariesMt 9:35 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries collected for the harvest and the shepherdless crowds.

Matthew 10 CommentaryMt 10 Commentary Precept Austin

Precept Austin's commentary and sermon resources on the mission discourse.

Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23) CommentaryMt 9:35-10:8 (9-23) Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed sermon commentary on being called and sent with the same specificity as the first disciples.

Matthew 9:35-10:8Mt 9:35-10:8 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 9:35 InterlinearMt 9:35 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for compassion, harvest, and apostle.

Overview: Gospel of MatthewOverview: Gospel of Mt BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew's structure and its five teaching discourses.

The Messiah BibleProject

Background on the kingdom the disciples are sent to proclaim.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Matthew 10Catena: Mt 10 Catena

Patristic comments chained to the sending of the apostles.

Worship & Prayers

Proper 6, Year A (RCL) The Lectionary Page

All appointed readings and the collect for the day in one place.

Podcast

#908: Third Sunday after Pentecost (Ord. 11A) – June 18, 2023 Working Preacher (Sermon Brainwave)

Luther Seminary’s homiletics roundtable on this Sunday’s appointed texts, including Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23).

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art: Proper 6A Vanderbilt

Lectionary art and the full set of appointed texts for Proper 6, Year A.

Questions preachers ask

What happens here?

Seeing the crowds harassed and helpless, Jesus is moved with compassion and, calling the twelve, gives them authority and sends them out to proclaim the kingdom and heal (Matthew 9:35–10:8).

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