16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant1 above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign2 those of his household.”
Section Overview
In Matthew 10:13–15, Jesus warned that some Israelites would reject the apostolic message. Jesus focuses initially on those who spurn the word. In verses 16–23, he describes the results of rejection for the apostles. Jesus exhorts them to be wise and warns them to expect trouble in synagogues, in courts, and in their families. But he encourages them, too. Even under duress they will continue to speak for the Father, empowered by his Spirit. If they are persecuted, they know they share the life of their master (vv. 24–25). Jesus also inserts practical counsel. The apostles should always be shrewd; when persecuted, they may flee to safety.
Section Outline
IV.B. The Second Discourse: The Disciples Follow Jesus into Mission (10:1–11:1) . . .
4. Disciples Prepare for Impending Trouble (10:16–21)
5. Disciples Persevere by Flight, by Imitating Jesus (10:22–25)
Matthew 10:16–25 opens and closes with self-contained statements describing the troubles God’s agents face. Between these statements are two cycles warning of persecution and encouraging perseverance. The section begins with counsel for the apostle’s conduct: they must “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (v. 16). Cycle 1 warns the apostles to “beware of men,” for men will do three things: deliver them to courts, flog them in synagogues, and drag them before rulers. Yet they will bear witness to Gentiles (vv. 17–18). When these troubles happen, the apostles must not worry what to say, for God will speak through them (vv. 19–20).
Cycle 2 warns the disciples of betrayal by their own families. They will face death and widespread hatred. Yet those who persevere will be saved (vv. 21–22). When these troubles happen in any town, the apostles must flee to the next town, because the time is short (v. 23). The section closes with counsel to expect troubles, as their master has faced (vv. 24–25).
Response
“Behold, I am sending you,” says Jesus (10:16), and no hostility “can weaken the messenger’s conviction that he has been sent by Jesus.”169 Whether the apostles face hatred, judicial threats, or violence, they persevere to the end, confident that the Spirit of their Father is present in the hour of need. Jesus prepares the Twelve to face down opposition, even death, and offers counsel on survival. Because they expect trouble, they must be crafty. If persecuted, they should flee, but keep speaking.
Both troubles and endurance derive from the apostles’ identity as servants of the Master. The imitation of Christ is a prominent theme in Matthew, never more so than in chapter 10. Jesus survives until the appointed time because he is shrewd, willing to take risks and willing to withdraw. The disciples do the same. Jesus also sends the disciples where he had gone: to Israel. He also gives them his message: the kingdom is here. He shares his methods as well: works that verify his words and miracles distributed freely.
Imitation is more than mimicry and goes deeper than commands. Jesus is the beloved Master. “It is enough for the disciples to be like . . . their master” is understatement. The disciples are like the Master because they trust him and live with him, because they are united and the Father has declared that it is their destiny to be like him, and he bestows his Spirit to make it so.