"But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." — Matthew 10:6

Matthew 10:6 · KJV

“But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

— Matthew 10:6

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into {any} city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Verse 7

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10 — Context

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into {any} city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Cross References

Jeremiah 50:6

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away {on} the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. {restingplace: Heb. place to lie down in}

Ezekiel 34:6

My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek {after them}.

1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. {laid...: Heb. made the iniquity of us all to meet on him}

Acts 13:46

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Psalms 119:176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Matthew 15:24-26

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Acts 28:25-28

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,