Matthew 10 17

Matthew 10:17 kjv

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Matthew 10:17 nkjv

But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.

Matthew 10:17 niv

Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.

Matthew 10:17 esv

Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,

Matthew 10:17 nlt

But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 17 Meaning

Matthew 10:17 is a warning from Jesus to His disciples concerning the persecution they will face during their mission. It explicitly details the methods and venues of this opposition: they will be "delivered up" or betrayed to official judicial bodies (councils) and physically punished through "scourging" within religious assembly places (synagogues). The verse anticipates significant suffering from human agents due to their testimony about Christ, preparing the disciples for the cost of true discipleship.

Matthew 10 17 Context

Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus' commission and instructions to the twelve disciples as He sends them out. After giving them authority over unclean spirits and diseases (v. 1), He instructs them on the scope of their mission (v. 5-7), their conduct (v. 8-10), and how to deal with receptivity or rejection (v. 11-15). This specific verse (v. 17) transitions into a detailed section about the hardships and persecution they will undoubtedly face as they proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. It immediately follows Jesus' command for them to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (v. 16), indicating that the wisdom and harmlessness are necessary precisely because of the impending dangers. The warning is crucial for preparing their mindset for effective, Spirit-empowered endurance rather than causing fear or discouragement. Historically, first-century Judaism possessed a form of local judicial authority, allowing synagogues to mete out certain punishments, including scourging, and Jewish councils (Sanhedrin) handled significant religious and legal cases.

Matthew 10 17 Word analysis

• But (δέ, de): This Greek conjunction signals a contrast or a transition, here emphasizing a crucial shift from the general instructions and initial reception to the harsh realities of opposition. It introduces a vital warning.
• beware (προσέχετε, prosechete): A verb meaning "pay attention," "hold oneself toward," "take heed," or "be on guard." It implies a need for active vigilance and cautious foresight, not merely passive awareness. It suggests a prudent watchfulness.
• of men (τῶν ἀνθρώπων, tōn anthrōpōn): Literally "the men." While broad, in this context, it specifically refers to human agents of opposition, primarily those within the Jewish establishment—the religious and legal authorities—who would reject Jesus and His followers. This specifies the immediate source of the persecution.
• for they (γάρ, gar + οὗτοι, houtoi implied by verb ending): "For" indicates a reason for the warning. "They" refers back to "men," emphasizing the specific people who will persecute.
• will deliver you up (παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς, paradōsousin hymas): From paradidomi, meaning "to hand over," "betray," "surrender." It refers to formal legal procedures, handing someone over to an authority for judgment or punishment. This word is significantly used throughout the Gospels to describe Jesus' own betrayal and handing over to His accusers. It suggests legal and official proceedings, not merely mob violence.
• to the councils (τοῖς συνεδρίοις, tois synedriois): Synedrion refers to a "council," specifically the Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish judicial body) or its local provincial counterparts. These were authoritative Jewish courts with legal power, including sentencing. This signifies that the persecution will be organized and officially sanctioned.
• and they will scourge you (καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν ὑμᾶς, kai mastigōsousin hymas): Mastigoō means "to whip," "flog," or "scourge." This refers to a severe physical beating, a common punishment in Roman and Jewish legal systems. It indicates the physical brutality of the suffering they will endure.
• in their synagogues (ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν, en tais synagōgais autōn): Synagoge refers to a "gathering place" or "synagogue." Beyond being places of worship and instruction, synagogues in the first century also functioned as community centers with some local judicial authority, capable of administering punishments like scourging (Deu 25:3, 2 Cor 11:24). "Their" (autōn) emphasizes the alienation of the disciples from their former religious community, suggesting they will be persecuted by the very institutions from which they once received instruction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But beware of men": A sharp call to vigilance against specific human adversaries. This underscores that opposition will come from people, not just spiritual forces, and often from unexpected sources within their own religious tradition.
• "for they will deliver you up to the councils": Explains how they are to beware—because of organized, formal legal proceedings. It highlights the structured nature of the coming persecution through authoritative Jewish courts.
• "and they will scourge you in their synagogues": Details the form of punishment and its venue. This reveals that physical violence will be a part of their experience, and that this violence will originate from within the very religious institutions that were meant to be centers of faith and community, reinforcing the idea of rejection by their own people.

Matthew 10 17 Bonus section

• The warning in this verse underscores a crucial principle for all who follow Christ: persecution is an expected, rather than an unexpected, aspect of faithful discipleship.
• The specifics of "councils" and "synagogues" emphasize that early Christian persecution initially came often from within the Jewish community, not solely from pagan Roman authorities. This would have been a particularly difficult truth for Jewish disciples to grasp.
• Jesus Himself experienced every form of abuse He prophesies for His followers, being betrayed (delivered up), tried before religious and civil councils, and scourged. This shows He walked the path He commanded His disciples to follow.
• This verse provides a counter-cultural understanding of "success" in ministry; it's not the absence of trouble, but faithfulness through it.

Matthew 10 17 Commentary

Matthew 10:17 is a direct, prophetic warning from Jesus, grounding the disciples' expectations in the harsh realities of their future mission. It serves not as a deterrent but as preparation for inevitable hostility. Jesus knew that His message of the Kingdom, while offering life, would also provoke profound opposition from a world that preferred darkness to light. This verse particularly focuses on persecution stemming from formal religious and judicial authorities within the Jewish community. "Delivering up to councils" points to legal condemnation, possibly even capital charges as happened with Stephen (Acts 6-7). "Scourging in their synagogues" highlights both the physical torment and the painful expulsion from the heart of Jewish communal life. This foretelling equips the disciples, mirroring Jesus' own path of suffering at the hands of religious leaders (e.g., Sanhedrin trial, scourging by Pilate's order). It demands resilience and underscores that loyalty to Christ carries a significant personal cost, revealing that faithfulness often involves opposition from established systems that resist divine truth. The prophecy serves to strengthen faith when trials arise, demonstrating that the sufferings of believers are foreseen by Christ and part of God's sovereign plan, rather than signs of divine abandonment.