[Footnote 1:  Matt. xvi. 20, xvii. 9; Mark viii. 30, ix. 8.]

[Footnote 2:  Matt. x. 26, 27; Mark iv. 21, and following; Luke viii. 17, xii. 2, and following; John xiv. 22.]

[Footnote 3:  Matt. xiii. 10, and following, 34 and following; Mark iv. 10, and following, 33, and following; Luke viii. 9, and following; xii. 41.]

[Footnote 4:  Matt. xvi. 6, and following; Mark vii. 17-23.]

[Footnote 5:  Matt. xiii. 18, and following; Mark vii. 18, and following.]

During the lifetime of Jesus, the apostles preached,[1] but without ever departing far from him.  Their preaching, moreover, was limited to the announcement of the speedy coming of the kingdom of God.[2] They went from town to town, receiving hospitality, or rather taking it themselves, according to the custom of the country.  The guest in the East has much authority; he is superior to the master of the house, who has the greatest confidence in him.  This fireside preaching is admirably adapted to the propagation of new doctrines.  The hidden treasure is communicated, and payment is thus made for what is received; politeness and good feeling lend their aid; the household is touched and converted.  Remove Oriental hospitality, and it would be impossible to explain the propagation of Christianity.  Jesus, who adhered greatly to good old customs, encouraged his disciples to make no scruple of profiting by this ancient public right, probably already abolished in the great towns where there were hostelries.[3] “The laborer,” said he, “is worthy of his hire!” Once installed in any house, they were to remain there, eating and drinking what was offered them, as long as their mission lasted.

[Footnote 1:  Luke ix. 6.]

[Footnote 2:  Luke x. 11.]

[Footnote 3:  The Greek word [Greek:  pandokeion], in all the languages of the Semitic East, designates an hostelry.]

Jesus desired that, in imitation of his example, the messengers of the glad tidings should render their preaching agreeable by kindly and polished manners.  He directed that, on entering into a house, they should give the salaam or greeting.  Some hesitated; the salaam being then, as now, in the East, a sign of religious communion, which is not risked with persons of a doubtful faith.  “Fear nothing,” said Jesus; “if no one in the house is worthy of your salute, it will return unto you."[1] Sometimes, in fact, the apostles of the kingdom of God were badly received, and came to complain to Jesus, who generally sought to soothe them.  Some of them, persuaded of the omnipotence of their master, were hurt at this forbearance.  The sons of Zebedee wanted him to call down fire from heaven upon the inhospitable towns.[2] Jesus received these outbursts with a subtle irony, and stopped them by saying:  “The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

[Footnote 1:  Matt. x. 11, and following; Mark vi. 10, and following; Luke x. 5, and following.  Comp. 2 Epistle of John, 10, 11.]