Matthew 10:17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

10:16-22 Look you, it is I who am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Show yourself as wise as serpents, and as pure as doves. Beware of men! For they will hand you over to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, that you make your witness to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry how you are to speak, or what you are to say. What you are to speak will be given to you in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

No one can read this passage without being deeply impressed with the honesty of Jesus. He never hesitated to tell men what they might expect, if they followed him. It is as if he said, "Here is my task for you--at its grimmest and at its worst--do you accept it?" Plummer comments: "This is not the world's way to win adherents." The world will offer a man roses, roses all the way, comfort, ease, advancement, the fulfilment of his worldly ambitions. Jesus offered his men hardship and death. And... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

Looking at things from our own point of view, we find it hard to understand why any government should wish to persecute the Christians, whose only aim was to live in purity, in charity, and in reverence. But in later days the Roman government had what it considered good reason for persecuting the Christians (see topic THE BLISS OF THE SUFFERER FOR CHRIST). (i) There were certain slanders current about the Christians. They were accused of being cannibals because of the words of the sacrament,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 10:17

But beware of men ,.... Of these men, comparable to wolves, before spoken of: the phrase is somewhat uncommon and emphatical, and designs not merely wicked men in common, the men of the world, and enemies of the Gospel; but chiefly such of them as were men of note and authority, ecclesiastical and civil governors of the people, the Scribes, Pharisees, elders, and chief priests, and other rulers; and the advice to the apostles is, to take care how they came into their company, and put... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:17

But beware of men - Or, be on your guard against men, των ανθρωπων These men; i.e. your countrymen; those from whom you might have reasonably expected comfort and support; and especially those in power, who will abuse that power to oppress you. Councils - Συνεδρια , sanhedrins and synagogues. See on Matthew 5:22 ; (note). "By synagogues we may understand here, not the places of public worship, but assemblies where three magistrates, chosen out of the principal members of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:17

Verse 17 17.But beware of men Erasmus has inserted the word these, (beware of these men,) supposing that the article has the force of a demonstrative pronoun. (584) But in my opinion it is better to view it as indefinite, and as conveying a declaration of Christ, that caution ought to be exercised in dealing with men, among whom every thing is full of snares and injuries. But he appears to contradict himself: for the best way of exercising caution would have been to remain at home, and not to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:1-42

The "commanding" of the twelve. This was a grand historic occasion indeed. The honoured but ever-comparatively feeble and now dimmed, dying, or dead schools of the prophets are to be succeeded by a scion of Christianity that marks at one and the same time its noblest and most amazing human institution, and Heaven's most condescending gift and human trust. Now begins "the great company of preachers" of the New Testament. They began with twelve;. they very soon grew to seventy; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-23

You will be in the midst; of foes, and simplicity must be accompanied by prudence ( Matthew 10:16 , a summary of all); you will be ill-treated publicly ( Matthew 10:17 , Matthew 10:18 ), but must conduct yourselves with calm faith that you will be guided in your defence ( Matthew 10:19 , Matthew 10:20 ), with endurance of family and universal enmity. ( Matthew 10:21 , Matthew 10:22 ), with common sense in avoiding unnecessary danger, for wherever you go you will find work to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-23

The future mission of the apostles. I. THE COMING PERSECUTIONS . 1 . The Lord warns his apostles beforehand. "Behold, I send you forth." He looks forward to their future work in the world when they should have received the full apostolic commission; he prepares them for the dangers of their office; he reminds them of its dignity, of the source from which the commission comes. "I send you." The pronoun is emphatic: "It is I, the Lord, who send you." This thought should strengthen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-23

Sheep and wolves. The charge of Christ to his evangelists is here continued. Though addressed in the first instance to the twelve, it is by no means limited to them. We may learn— I. THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE WORLDLING TOWARDS THE CHRISTIAN IS WOLFISH . 1 . It is a disposition of hostility. 2 . Its hostility is nerved by cruelty. 3 . The cruelty is aggravated by treachery. "O shame to men! devil with devil damn'd Firm concord holds, men only... read more

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