Matthew 10:42
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42
“And whoever, if he should give drink to one of these least a cup of cold water, only in a disciple’s name, amen, I say to you, no – not he should lose his reward” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus told the apostles that receiving a prophet means receiving a prophet’s reward, and receiving a righteous person means receiving a righteous person’s reward. Stepping down another level, He continues with, “And whoever, if he should give drink.”
Here is a new word, potizó. It signifies to give a drink or irrigate, being derived from pinó, to drink. The word is similar to potabilis, the Latin etymological root of our modern-day word potable, a word signifying fit to drink. This giving of drink is next said to be “to one of these least.”
Another new word is used, mikros, little or least. It can refer to people who are little in society or within the family (as in the little brother of...), it can be used to identify the smallest type of seed, the smallest in stature, or a little in distance.
The gradations of authority thus far tell us that “these least” is not merely referring to little children, but to anyone who is undeveloped in theology but who bears the name of Christ –
Receives Me 🡪 receives 🡪 Him who sent Me.
Receives prophet 🡪 receives 🡪 prophet’s reward.
Receives righteous 🡪 receives 🡪 righteous man’s reward.
Receives these least 🡪...
The meaning of these least may be inclusive of children, but that is not the main intent, as if Jesus were saying little children were innocent. The intent is that it refers to anyone, child or adult, who bears His name.
Jeremiah was only a youth when called (Jeremiah 1:7), but he was a prophet of the Lord. A plumber may not understand deep theology, but he can still say, “I am a Christian and I love Jesus with all my heart.” Of this little individual, it next says, “a cup of cold water.”
Both words are new. The first, potérion, signifies a cup. It is also derived from pinó. Being a cup, it gives the sense of a full cup of water. The second word, psuchros, is an adjective signifying chilly or cold. It can be literal, or it can refer to being cold-hearted or cold in attitude. The latter is reflected in the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:15 when he told those at Laodicea that He wished they were either hot or cold. As for His words now, He continues with, “only in a disciple’s name...”
The word only is referring to the little one just described. If a person gives a cup of cold water in a disciple’s name, meaning a disciple of Jesus. Then Jesus finishes with, “amen, I say to you, no – not he should lose his reward.”
The sense here is that the plumber has said he is a Christian. He is a disciple of Jesus. Someone might say, “Don’t give him a thing. No job, no recommendation, and not a cup of water.” But someone hearing might say, “He has identified with Jesus. I am now identifying with Jesus by helping him with this cup of cold water. He isn’t Jesus, he isn’t a prophet, he isn’t a righteous man, but he is still a follower of Jesus and is deserving of my help.” Such a person will receive his reward for the act of kindness to this least of Jesus’ disciples.
Life application: In Israel, outside of the Holocaust memorial, there is a garden called the Righteous Among the Nations Garden. Trees are planted in the name of someone who has somehow helped the nation of Israel.
This is a nice memorial, and it stands as a witness to those who have made some sort of contribution or sacrifice for the Jewish people. It is right that Christians support the nation because God’s word promises they will someday be brought into the covenant and restored as His particular people. Those who understand this and support the nation for this reason should be applauded.
Despite this, the Jews as a people rejected Jesus. Those who have not accepted Him will be eternally separated from them. There is no salvation just for being a Jew. On the other hand, there is salvation for everyone who has believed the true gospel, which is based on the true Jesus, as described in the Bible. The righteous among the nations, according to the Bible, are those – Jews or Gentiles – who have received Jesus Christ by faith.
Those who have received Him and those who have identified with Him, even to the least of them, will receive their reward for doing so. Not a single act of beneficence will be left unrewarded. While earthly trees are planted to remember deeds for helping the Jewish people, God will bestow heavenly blessings upon those whose deeds have been directed to followers of Christ.
God is perfectly just and perfectly fair. Those who are in Christ are a part of Him and are in intimate union with God because of Him. In identifying with His followers, one identifies with Him. Be assured that if this is so, how much more is God watching over you!?
If you are suffering from financial distress, cancer or some other physical affliction, family disharmony, or any other thing that is eating at your soul, don’t think God has forgotten you. He has not. He is there with you, allowing whatever has come about for His own purposes. Be assured of this. Life is tough, but eternity lies ahead. Because of Jesus, you are remembered and will be forever tended to by your heavenly Father.
Lord God, help us to have an eternal and heavenly perspective in our minds. It is tough, especially when the world is bringing us down. But we know that by fixing our eyes, hearts, and minds on You, we can make it through until the day You call us to Yourself. Help us in this, O heavenly Father. Amen.
