Having now had about six months of traveling with Jesus, the Apostles are sent out on their own. Matthew lists their names again; the others do not. They are given their instructions and sent out. On their return, they are jubilant over their spiritual power, but Jesus cautions them about their priorities.

Matthew is the only one who records the teaching of Jesus as he sends the twelve out. With the prophecy of rejection by those they try to reach, one wonders how they had the courage to go. Rather than the prophetic section being fulfilled on this trip, it stands as a long-range announcement of the rejection by the world throughout the balance of history.