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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:23

Verse 23 23.And when they shall persecute you. He anticipates an objection that might arise. If we must encounter the resentments of the whole world, what shall be the end of all this? (593) Though it may not be safe for them to remain in any place, yet Christ warns them not to despair, but, on the contrary, when they have been driven from one place, to try whether their labors in some other place may be of any avail. It is a mistake, however, to suppose that this is a bare permission: for it... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-39

The internal conditions of conveying Christ ' s message. The subdivisions of this section are after Matthew 10:23 and Matthew 10:33 (cf. Matthew 10:5 , note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:22

And ye shall be hated . For no little time ( ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ) . "Suffering sometimes becomes as a reward for doing. You read of the heifers which brought home the ark out of the Philistines' country, that, when they brought the ark home, the Israelites took the heifers and offered them up to God, as a sacrifice ( 1 Samuel 6:14 ). 'Why so?'saith one. 'It is an ill requital to the heifers.' No; the heifers could not have so high an honour put upon them ( Philippians 1:29 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:23

Matthew only; but even this verse is not free from what appear to be reminiscences of the words recorded in Matthew 24:14 , Matthew 24:16 ). But when they persecute you in this city. Act wisely ( Matthew 24:16 ); flee to another city; you will find work there. Flee ye (cf. Matthew 23:34 , and supra , Matthew 23:17 , note) into another ; into the next (Revised Version); εἰς τηραν . There are occasions when the duty is rather to spread the message than to seal it with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 10:22

Ye shall be hated of all men - That is, of all kinds of people. The human heart would be opposed to them, because it is opposed to Christ.But he that endureth to the end ... - That is, to the end of life, be it longer or shorter. He that bears all these unspeakable sufferings, and who does not shrink and apostatize, will give decisive evidence of attachment to me, and shall enter into heaven. See Revelation 3:21-22. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 10:23

When they persecute ... - The apostles were not permitted to “throw away” their lives. Where they could preserve them without denying their Lord, they were to do it. Yet all the commands of Christ, as well as their conduct, show that they were rather to lay down their lives than deny their Saviour. We are to preserve our lives by all proper means, but we are rather to die than save ourselves by doing anything wrong.Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel ... - That is, in fleeing from... read more

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