Lost Sheep Matthew 10

KJV Matthew 10:5-8

5. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Was Jesus sending His disciples to gather lost sheep in Israel? Most people know sheep represent people. But how does one prove this? It is one thing to learn details like this from others, but it is a far greater thing to learn how to interpret parables in your own. This is a simple parable which can be used to introduce others to simple word studies.

Sheep

Psalms 79:13 KJV So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Psalms 100:3 KJV Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Isaiah 53:6 KJV All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jeremiah 50:6 KJV My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.

Jeremiah 50:17 KJV Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

There are a number of verses indicating people are represented by the spiritual word sheep. Jesus was sending His disciples out to the people of Israel.