Matthew 10:6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Cross-reference
Matthew 15:24 repeats the phrase 'lost sheep of Israel' for Jesus' own mission, reinforcing the same focus as the disciples' commission here.
Matthew 18:11 declares Jesus came to save the lost, directly parallel to the lost sheep mission in Matthew 10:6.
Matthew 22:3 parables sending servants to invite guests – echoes the sending to Israel, but highlights their rejection, contrasting with the mission's initial hope.
Matthew 9:36 describes the crowds as 'sheep without a shepherd' – the compassion that directly motivates Jesus' command to go to the lost sheep of Israel.
Luke 15:3-10 expands the 'lost sheep' metaphor into a parable about God's joy in seeking the lost, showing the heart behind the mission to Israel.
Acts 28:25-28 shows the later shift to Gentiles after Israel rejected the gospel, contrasting Jesus' initial command to go only to Israel.
Acts 18:6 is another instance of Paul turning to Gentiles after Jewish rejection, consistent with the initial focus on Israel here.
Acts 13:46 shows Paul turning to Gentiles after Jewish rejection, echoing the priority of Israel first that is commanded here.
Acts 3:26 echoes 'first to you' — Peter affirms that God sent Jesus to Israel first, aligning with the 'lost sheep of Israel' here.
Ezekiel 34:16 has God promising to seek the lost sheep, prefiguring Jesus' mission to Israel's lost sheep.
Ezekiel 34:6 describes God's sheep wandering with no one seeking them, directly paralleling Jesus' command to seek the lost.
Jeremiah 50:6 explicitly calls Israel 'lost sheep' due to false shepherds, providing the OT background for Jesus' mission.
In Mark 16:15, the commission expands to 'all the world'—a direct contrast to the Israel-only restriction here.
In Acts 8:5, Philip preaches in Samaria—directly crossing the boundary set here for Israel only.
In Acts 10:36, Peter confirms the word was sent to Israel first—echoing the priority of this mission.
In Acts 11:19, the scattered believers initially preach only to Jews—carrying on the restriction from this verse.
In Acts 13:26, Paul addresses 'sons of Abraham'—the same Jewish audience prioritized here.
Ezekiel 34:4 rebukes shepherds for not seeking the lost – Jesus now sends his disciples to do what the failed shepherds neglected.
Ezekiel 3:4 shows God sending Ezekiel to the house of Israel – a parallel commissioning that prefigures Jesus sending the disciples to the same lost sheep.
1 Peter 2:25 applies the 'lost sheep' imagery to all believers who have returned to Christ, broadening the scope beyond Israel.
Deuteronomy 22:1 commands restoring a brother's lost sheep – a literal law that Jesus reframes as a spiritual mission to Israel's lost souls.
Romans 11:11-15 explains how Israel's stumbling brought salvation to Gentiles, echoing the special place of Israel in God's plan.
Luke 24:47 expands the mission to all nations but starts at Jerusalem, following the pattern of first to Israel seen here.
In Luke 19:10, Jesus came to seek and save the lost—the same 'lost' language applied here to the sheep of Israel.