MAT 10:40-42

The Reward of Service

40"The one receiving you receives me, and the one receiving me receives the one who sent me.

41The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's wage, and the one who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's wage.

42And whoever gives one of these little ones — even a cup of cold water to drink — only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his wage."

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, hospitality was a deeply ingrained cultural value, particularly in Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. Receiving someone into one’s home was not merely a social nicety but a sacred duty, often tied to honor and reciprocity. The term (to receive) carried connotations of active hospitality, including providing food, shelter, and protection. Prophets and righteous individuals were often itinerant, relying on such hospitality for survival. To receive them 'in the name of' a prophet or righteous person meant aligning oneself with their mission and identity, acknowledging their divine authority. The promise of (reward) reflects the honor-shame economy, where acts of hospitality were publicly recognized and reciprocated, often by God. The 'little ones' referred to those of low social status—disciples or marginalized individuals—whose insignificance made acts of kindness toward them particularly honorable. Offering even a cup of cold water, a simple yet costly gesture in a hot, arid climate, demonstrated genuine care and solidarity.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

MAT 10:40

KJV: He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
BSB: He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.
Koinōnos: The one receiving you receives me, and the one receiving me receives the one who sent me.

MAT 10:41

KJV: 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.
BSB: Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophetʼs reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous manʼs reward.
Koinōnos: The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's wage, and the one who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's wage.

MAT 10:42

KJV: And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
BSB: And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
Koinōnos: And whoever gives one of these little ones — even a cup of cold water to drink — only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his wage.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 10:40

receiving:The word translated 'receiving' implies a welcoming acceptance, often with hospitality, rather than just a passive taking or acquiring.

MAT 10:41

name:In this context, 'name' refers to the person's character, authority, and reputation, not merely their designation.
[the] reward:The word translated '[the] reward' refers to a wage or payment for service rendered, emphasizing a just compensation for work.

MAT 10:42

little ones:The term 'little ones' here can refer to those who are humble, insignificant in the eyes of the world, or of low social status, not necessarily children.