Matthew 10:21

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 10:21

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death ,.... Christ having fortified the minds of his disciples by the foregoing promises of divine influence and assistance, proceeds to open more largely and particularly the sorrows, troubles, and afflictions they must expect would attend the faithful ministration of his Gospel; as, that the true followers of Christ should not only be persecuted and betrayed, and delivered up into the hands of the civil magistrate, by persons that were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:21

And the brother shall deliver up the brother, etc. - What an astonishing enmity is there in the soul of man against God and goodness! That men should think they did God service, in putting to death those who differ from them in their political or religious creed, is a thing that cannot be accounted for but on the principle of an indescribable depravity. O shame to men! devil with devil damn'd Firm concord holds, men only disagree Of creatures rational; though under hope Of heavenly... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:21

Verse 21 Matthew 10:21.And the brother will deliver up the brother to death. He first gives warning what heavy calamities await them, and then adds a remarkable consideration, which sweetens all their bitterness. First, he announces that those circumstances which other men find to be the means of protection, or from which they obtain some relief, will prove to the disciples a fresh addition to their misery. Brothers, who ought to assist them when oppressed, to stretch out their hand to them... 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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