Matthew 10:17-20 17But be aware of people, for they will hand you over to the Sanhedrin, and in their synagogues, they will flog you; 18and you will also be dragged before governors and kings for my sake in witness to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not be anxious about how or what you will say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is the one speaking through you.
Jesus next warns his disciples about the dangers they would face from political and religious leaders. The Sanhedrin was the ruling council of Jews of that time, including the high priests and key leaders of the people. Jesus would later appear before them, accused of blaspheme. They are the ones who sought his death. The disciples Peter and John, and likely others at some point, would later be dragged before this group, accused, warned, and beaten (Acts 4). Other disciples would face questioning and persecution in the local synagogues throughout the Roman Empire, including people like Paul and his travel companions. We may not have a Sanhedrin or synagogue, but we may be asked questions by religious leaders. The challenge with “inside” persecution like this is that these type of religious leaders are deceived into thinking that their way or interpretation is correct, but they have deviated from the truth of the gospel. It is crucial that disciples know the truth found in the teachings of Jesus.
The disciples would also be dragged before political leaders, like the Roman governors and kings. Paul the Apostle experienced this as he defended himself on his way to be tried eventually before the Roman Emperor. In the context of Israel of that time, the religious leaders had limited power to punish people and used the Romans to assist them with capital punishment, as in the case of Jesus.
The disciples needed to remember that they would experience all of this for Jesus’ sake and not their own. Verse 18 reflects back on what Jesus said in 5:10-12. Those who experience persecution for Jesus’ sake will receive the kingdom of heaven. Their reward for faithfulness would be eternal life. Their witness of faithfulness would speak loudly to the “nations” (ethnesin). One of the most powerful testimony throughout the ages has been the blood of martyrs.
Jesus next gives his disciples assurance that they would not be alone when they faced those who seeking to persecute them. As civilized people, these leaders would call them to state why they were speaking about this man named Jesus. This was an opportunity to bear witness to the truth of the gospel. As anyone who has faced a tense situation knows, it is hard to think of words to say when under pressure like this. But disciples should not fear because God’s Holy Spirit would give them words to say. The source for these works comes from the deep relationship with the Father. We should not expect the Holy Spirit all of a sudden to show up when we are persecuted and gives us the words if we have not been abiding in Jesus. We cannot hear the Spirit if we are not filled with the Spirit and know the Spirit’s voice. Jesus promised his disciples in Acts 1:8 that the Spirit will speak through them as witnesses to those around them. We can live with the same assurance in our lives.
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