Matthew 10:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having removed all care and anxiety from the Apostles, and armed them with the miraculous powers, He proceeds to foretell the evils which should befal them. First, that they might know his knowledge of the future; secondly, that they should not think that these things befel them because of the want of power in their Master; thirdly, that they might not be amazed if these things had come upon them unexpectedly; fourthly, that after hearing these things, they might not be dismayed in the season of His cross; and lastly, that they might learn a new method of warfare. He sends them unprovided, bidding them look to those who should receive them for support; but rests not in that, but shews his power still further, Lo, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves.

Christ’s purpose was not solely to send His disciples to the Jewish people but also to the Gentiles. Thus, He declares, ‘to testify before them and the Gentiles,’ meaning to admonish those who lack faith.

He calls the Scribes and Pharisees who are the clergy of the Jews, wolves.

After expressing that they would endure persecution from the Jews, he also addresses the afflictions they would face from other nations. This serves to admonish both Jews and Gentiles, so that later they could not claim ignorance of the message being preached; they would encounter such overwhelming trials that even the proclaimers of the Gospel would undergo countless hardships.

He first attempted the softer sex, allured her by hope, and promised a share of immortality. Do you in like manner seize every opportunity, look well into each man’s nature and inclination, use wisdom of speech, reveal hope of good things to come; that what he promised falsely we may preach truly according to God’s promise, that they that believe shall be like to the Angels.

For he who undertakes the office of preacher ought not to do evil, but to suffer it, and by his meekness to mollify the wrath of the angry, and by his wounds to heal the wounds of sinners in their affliction. And even should the zeal of right-doing ever require that He should be severe to those that are placed under Him, His very severity will be of love and not of cruelty, outwardly maintaining the rights of discipline, and inwardly loving those whom He corrects.

The serpent moreover seeks out narrow chinks through which it crawls to draw off its old skin; so the preacher passing through the narrow way lays aside the old man.

Beautifully the Lord bids the preacher have the wisdom of the serpent; because the first man was beguiled by a serpent; as though He had said, The foe is subtle to deceive, be ye therefore wise to rescue; he commended the tree, do ye also commend the tree of the Cross.

They will bring you before rulers and kings for My sake. The Lord, knowing that He would later send His disciples not just to the Jewish people but also to the Gentiles, declares that this will serve as a testimony against them and the Gentiles. This serves as a warning to those who do not believe, so they cannot claim later that the Gospel was not shared with them when they persecuted its messengers.

Be cautious about individuals in general, and do not approach everyone with blind trust in the message of the Gospel, as this could lead you to the risk of suffering persecution without cause. (As a testimony to them and to the nations, cf. 24:14)

When you are brought before authorities and leaders because of me, to bear witness to them and to the nations, do not be concerned about what to say or how to say it. For it will not be you who speaks; rather, the Spirit of your Father will speak through you. In mentioning the rulers to whom the apostles would be taken, Jesus Christ referenced not just the preaching intended for the Jews at that moment, but also the forthcoming proclamation to the Gentiles.

He cautioned them that they would face significant hardships during their current and future missions as apostles, for they would be subject to trials and beaten in the synagogues, presented before authorities and rulers. Despite these challenges, they need not be anxious about how or what to speak, as the Holy Spirit would provide them with the words they need in that moment. The message of peace will be twisted by the sinful desires of humanity into a rallying cry for violence and animosity, forcing them to flee from their relentless persecutors from one city to another. Yet, they must persevere until the end, for they will not finish traveling through the cities of Israel before the arrival of the Son of Man.

The phrase ‘to rulers and kings’ refers to Gentiles, as the Jewish people had no sovereign leadership of their own. This indicates that the Lord's guidance to the Apostles concerns not only their immediate preaching efforts in Judea—where they were instructed to avoid both Gentiles and Samaritans (Matt. 10:5)—but also extends to their future ministry among the Gentiles and the broader mission of their worldwide evangelism. The term rulers encompasses all kinds of leaders, not limited to Roman authorities and governors.

The Lord proceeded with His teachings by making the apostles aware of the trials they would face in their ministry: Be wary of people: for you will be handed over to authorities, and in their assemblies, they will punish you; you will be brought before rulers and kings for My name's sake, serving as a testimony to them and to the nations. However, when you are apprehended, do not worry about how or what you will say: for in that moment, God will provide you with the words to speak; it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. A brother will betray his brother to death, and a father will turn against his child; children will rebel against their parents and put them to death. You will be universally despised because of My name, but he who perseveres until the end will be saved. The Lord consistently cautioned His followers about the persecutions that would befall those who proclaim the Gospel.