Matius 10:16

Persecution of Disciples

10:16 “I ¹  am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, ²  so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matius 10:18

10:18 And you will be brought before governors and kings ³  because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles.

[10:16]  ¹ tn Grk “Behold I.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

[10:16]  ² sn This imagery of wolves is found in intertestamental Judaism; see Pss. Sol. 8:23, 30.

[10:18]  ³ sn These statements look at persecution both from a Jewish context as the mention of courts and synagogues suggests, and from a Gentile one as the reference to governors and kings suggests. Some fulfillment of Jewish persecution can be seen in Acts.