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.

MATTHEW 10:41KJV
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Matthew 10:41 (KJV)

What does Matthew 10:41 mean?

Matthew 10:41 says that anyone who welcomes a prophet because they are a prophet will share in the reward given to a prophet, and anyone who welcomes a righteous person because they are righteous will share in the reward given to a righteous person. The verse highlights the value of receiving and supporting God’s messengers and people.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples as He sends them out on a mission. He assures them that those who receive and support them—or anyone who comes in God’s name—will not miss out on the blessings meant for those servants. The focus is on the importance of recognizing and honoring people for their true calling or character, and the shared blessing that comes from that recognition.

The Greek behind Matthew 10:41

  • "receiveth" (δέχομαι, dechomai): This word means to welcome or accept someone, not just to tolerate but to actively receive them with respect. The verse uses it to show the importance of a genuine, open-hearted welcome.
  • "in the name" (εἰς ὄνομα, eis onoma): This phrase means "because of" or "on account of" someone's role or character. Welcoming someone "in the name of a prophet" means recognizing and honoring their identity as a prophet.
  • "reward" (μισθός, misthos): This word refers to wages or a recompense. It emphasizes that the person who welcomes God’s servant will share in the blessings or rewards that come from God, not just from the person themselves.

Why Matthew 10:41 matters

  • Matthew 10:41 clarifies that the act of supporting or honoring God’s messengers is significant in God’s eyes, even if someone is not a prophet or righteous person themselves.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage where Jesus prepares His disciples for both acceptance and rejection, encouraging them that their mission and those who support it are valued.
  • This verse helps correct the idea that only the most visible or "important" roles in God’s work matter; it shows that those who support and recognize God’s servants also share in God’s blessings.

Where else these words appear

“reward” Greek G3408 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
  • Luke 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

“receiveth” Greek G1209 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
  • Luke 16:4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“man” Greek G1342 · used in 76 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

“prophet” Greek G4396 · used in 143 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
  • Acts 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?