But
beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Matthew 10:17-20
Matthew 10 [5.] Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. As you enter into the household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Matthew 10 [16.] “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Matthew 10 [21.] “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.
Meaning:
Jesus had just told the twelve, “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Now he explains what the wolves will do. His instructions move beyond the first short mission in Galilee and look ahead to the persecution his followers would face after his death and resurrection. Jesus repeated these warnings on the Mount of Olives shortly before his arrest (Mark 13:9-11; Luke 21:12-15).
- “But beware of men”
Being harmless as doves does not mean being naive. Jesus warns his disciples to be alert. Opposition would come not from wild animals but from people, including religious leaders and members of their own nation.
- “they will deliver you up to councils”
The councils were local Jewish courts attached to synagogues, and at the highest level the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. The synagogues could punish offenders by flogging. The law allowed up to forty blows (Deuteronomy 25:3), and Paul later wrote that five times he received “forty stripes minus one” from the Jews (2 Corinthians 11:24). The apostles were flogged by the council in Jerusalem and went away “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name” (Acts 5:41).
- “before governors and kings for my sake”
Governors and kings were Gentile authorities, such as Roman governors and the Herod family. The Book of Acts shows this coming true. Paul stood before the governors Felix and Festus and before King Agrippa (Acts 24-26). When the Lord called Paul, he said, “he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
- “for a testimony to them and to the nations”
Persecution would not stop the message; it would carry it to places the disciples could not otherwise reach. A courtroom became a pulpit. Even rulers who rejected the message would have heard it and would be without excuse. Here the mission is already widening beyond Israel to “the nations”.
- “don’t be anxious how or what you will say”
An ordinary fisherman standing before a governor might well panic. Jesus promises that the right words will be given “in that hour”. This is not a promise for lazy preachers who refuse to prepare sermons. It is a promise for believers under trial, who cannot plan for what will be asked. God had told Moses, who felt he could not speak well, “I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak” (Exodus 4:12).
- “the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you”
The disciples would not stand alone. The Holy Spirit would speak through them. Matthew’s phrase “your Father” reminds them that they are children of a loving Father who cares for them in the courtroom as everywhere else. When Peter and John stood before the council, “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” spoke boldly, and the leaders marveled at “the boldness of Peter and John” and “recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
The Significance of Matthew 10:17-20
- Expect opposition
Following Jesus does not guarantee an easy life. In many parts of the world believers still face courts, prisons and violence for their faith. Jesus told his followers in advance so that they would not be surprised or lose heart.
- Opportunities in hardship
Hard situations can become opportunities to bear witness. A believer who is treated unjustly yet answers with grace and truth gives a powerful testimony to Jesus.
- Not alone
The promise of the Spirit means that no believer faces trial alone. When we do not know what to say, we can trust God to give us the words and the courage we need.
Cross-References:
Mark 13:11: "For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit." The same promise in Mark.
Luke 21:15: "for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict." Jesus gives wisdom in the hour of trial.
Exodus 4:12: "I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak." God’s promise to Moses.
Acts 9:15: "he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings," Paul’s calling fulfils these words.
Conclusion: Jesus warned the twelve that people would hand them over to councils, flog them in synagogues and bring them before governors and kings. Their suffering would become a testimony to the nations. They were not to worry about what to say, because the Spirit of their Father would speak through them. Followers of Jesus can face opposition with courage, knowing that God turns hardship into witness and never leaves them alone.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible