Keraia
Matthew 10

Matthew 10:23

Sheep among Wolves · Matthew 10:16–25
Read Matthew 10

Translations

Modern
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Traditional
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Literal
And when they may persecute you in one city, flee to the other. For truly I say to you, you shall not have completed the cities of Israel until the Son of Man shall come.
Latin
Cum autem persequentur vos in civitate ista, fugite in aliam. Amen dico vobis, non consummabitis civitates Israël, donec veniat Filius hominis.

Original

Greek
English
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Notes

Matthew 10:23

  • before the Son of Man comes: Scholars disagree on whether this refers to Christ's second coming for his church or an earlier judgment, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (see 16:28).

  • you will not reach: Jesus might mean “before you have fled through all the towns” or “before you have spread the gospel in all the towns.” The focus on persecution in the context (see 10:17–39) supports the first idea. It suggests the towns were like cities of refuge (Numbers 35:9–32). This emphasizes how widely they will reject the message. It means “not until the whole nation has expelled you.”

Matthew 9:35–11:1

Jesus expands his ministry (see Matthew 4:23–9:34) by sending his disciples to other people in Israel (10:5–6). The instructions Jesus gives his disciples (10:5–42) emphasizes missionary work and the opposition and challenges they will encounter.

Events

Parallels

2 Timothy 1:3–12

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Book of Micah Gospel of Matthew Jesus Christ Persecution Prophecy

Topics

Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Christian Minister: Responsibility of Christian Minister: Trials and Persecutions of Commandments: Precepts of Jesus--Explicitly Stated, or Implied in Didactic Discourse Jesus, the Christ: Revelations by: Concerning his Kingdom Natural Life: should be Taken all Due Care of Persecution of the Righteous Persecution: Lawful Means May be Used to Escape