Why Should We Take Back a Blessing?

Why Should We Take Back a Blessing?

In Matthew 10:13, it is said: "If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace," (Matthew 10:13 NASB1995). This passage may seem rather harsh and unloving, but this interpretation misunderstands the text. 

This is a Hebraic idiom, it as if to say if a person does not accept your gift of blessing, it will return to you. As Barnes clarifies: "It is a mode of speaking derived from bestowing a gift. If people were willing to receive it, they derived the benefit from it; if not, then of course the present came back or remained in the hand of the giver. So Christ figuratively speaks of the peace which their labor would confer. If received kindly and hospitably by the people, they would confer on them most valuable blessings. If rejected and persecuted, the blessings which they sought for others would come upon themselves. they would reap the benefit of being cast out and persecuted for their Master's sake," (Barnes).

Works Cited:

Barnes' Notes on the Bible. United Kingdom, Kregel Publications, 1962.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.