What does Matthew 10:17 mean?
Before sending His core twelve disciples out as His representatives to preach the gospel of His kingdom, Jesus has given them very specific instructions (Matthew 10:5–15). Now, He is telling them to expect danger and hardship along the way. In order to properly meet that challenge, He calls on His followers to be careful, and informed, and also gentle and peaceful (Matthew 10:16).The warning given here, at first, would have seemed routine to an audience of Jewish men. They were used to alerts about Gentiles, especially the Romans. However, Jesus now indicates that substantial persecution will come from the Jewish religious leaders. He is describing a time after His death, resurrection, and return to heaven during which His apostles will be persecuted as Christians by Jewish rulers.
Jesus tells them to beware of men who will deliver them over to courts to flog them in their synagogues. The Jewish people had the authority, even under Roman rule, to carry out limited punishments within the context of their religious practice. These punishments for heresy and other serious sins could be quite harsh. Against Christians, eventually, these attacks would become severe to the point of death (John 16:2–4).
The apostle Paul both administered floggings against Jewish Christians (Acts 22:19) and received floggings after he became a Christian and started preaching about Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:24–25). Jesus is warning these men, His disciples, what it will cost them to preach His message to the people of Israel.
Matthew 10:16–25 follows Jesus' instructions to His twelve apostles, giving them guidance for their impending missionary journey. Here, He begins to describe events that will follow His own resurrection and return to heaven. When that time comes, the apostles will be arrested and dragged before various courts and officials because they represent Christ and insist that He is the Son of God. The Holy Spirit will speak through them about Jesus. They will run from one town to another to avoid persecution, spreading the good news about Christ as they go. Jesus was persecuted, so they will be, as well. Much as Jesus will do during the Last Supper (John 16:25–33), He will encourage these men to stand firm in their faith.
Jesus gives His authority over disease, demons, and even death to His twelve hand-picked apostles. He gives them instructions in preparation both for a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee and their ministry after He has left the earth. First, they will preach His message of the kingdom in Israelite towns as they heal and cast out demons to demonstrate His power. Later, they will suffer great persecution as they represent Him before both Jews and Gentiles. They should not be afraid, though, and trust their Father to be with them and to reward them.
