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Jesus Pre-Warns The Twelve About The Persecution They Will Face In The Future

16 “Behold— I am sending[a] you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be shrewd[b] as the snakes, and innocent[c] as the doves. 17 And beware of people. For they will hand you over to councils[d] and whip you in their synagogues. 18 And you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake— for a testimony to them[e] and to the Gentiles. 19 But whenever they hand you over, do not be anxious-about how or what you should speak. For what you should speak will be given to you in that hour. 20 For you are not the ones speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is the One speaking in you. 21 And brother will hand-over brother to death, and a father his child. And children will rise-up-in-rebellion[f] against parents and they will put them to death. 22 And you will be being hated by all because of My name. But the one having endured to the end[g], this one will be saved. 23 But whenever they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For truly I say to you— you will by no means finish the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes[h].

Proclaim The Truth Boldly; Do Not Fear Them. God Will Watch Over You

24 A disciple[i] is not above the teacher, nor is a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they called the Household-Master[j] Beelzebul[k], how much more His household-members!

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 10:16 This section is prophetic, looking beyond this mission to their life ministry and beyond.
  2. Matthew 10:16 Or, wise, prudent.
  3. Matthew 10:16 Or, pure.
  4. Matthew 10:17 That is, local Jewish courts, local sanhedrins.
  5. Matthew 10:18 That is, the Jews.
  6. Matthew 10:21 Or, stand-up against.
  7. Matthew 10:22 That is, the end of his life, or the second Coming, whichever comes first.
  8. Matthew 10:23 That is, comes to you at the end of this preaching tour; or, comes as Messiah in Jerusalem in 21:9; or, the coming may refer to His transfiguration, or resurrection, or to the day of Pentecost, or to His coming to destroy Jerusalem in a.d. 70, or to His second Coming.
  9. Matthew 10:24 Or, learner, pupil, student.
  10. Matthew 10:25 That is, Jesus.
  11. Matthew 10:25 That is, the devil.

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