The disciples' message was the same as that of John the Baptist and of Christ Himself: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." They were to enter into no controversy with the people as to whether Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah; but in His name they were to do the same works of mercy as He had done. He bade them, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

Disciplenes budskab var det samme som Johannes Døbers og Kristi eget: "Guds rige er kommet nær." De skulle ikke indlade sig i nogen ordstrid med folk om, hvorvidt Jesus fra Nazaret var Messias; men de skulle i hans navn gøre de samme barmhjertighedsgerninger, som han havde gjort. Han bød dem: "Helbred syge, opvæk døde, rens spedalske, uddriv onde ånder! I har fået det for intet, giv det for intet "