“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Our Lord’s diagnosis of mankind’s need is that the harvest is plenty, but committed, true laborers are few. The primary reason Christianity often does not grow is the lack of mature Christians who can truly represent Christ, remaining “babes” who ought to be teachers (Hebrews 5:12-14). This chapter, which is solid food, calls upon us to mature and become committed laborers. The tone is set in verse 16: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.” This picture emphasizes our defenselessness—Christians do not conquer by military might, but go forth carrying the gospel to the “wolves.”
The proclamation of Christ’s kingdom message will meet with opposition. We must understand four questions:
- Who will persecute us? “Beware of men” (v. 17) and “Ye shall be hated of all men” (v. 22). Our enemy, Satan, attacks us through the human system, as the unregenerate heart is in enmity with God (Romans 8:7). Christ sends His sheep because the gospel’s power is adequate to transform these wolf-hearts.
- Why do they persecute us? “for My sake” (v. 18) and “for My name’s sake” (v. 22). The viciousness is not directed at us personally, but at the glorious Son of God whom we represent. This irrational hatred is evidence of the depth of total human depravity.
- How will they persecute us? They attack through three established systems:
- Religion (v. 17): “deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you… In their synagogues.” The established religious systems, like the Jewish synagogues in the Apostles’ time, become tools of persecution, frequently using humiliating and painful discipline like scourging (beating with whips or rods). Throughout history, false religion, often manipulated by Satan, has tried to wipe out the true church.
- Government (v. 18): “Ye shall be brought before governors and kings.” The state, though ordained by God, is manipulated by Satan and will attack Christianity out of fear or in service to false religion. This happened with the Roman Empire and continues today, with laws and authorities used to stop the spread of Christianity. Christ uses these trials as a platform “for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”
- Family (v. 21): “The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.” This is the deepest pain, where the family—the supposed refuge—becomes a danger zone. Loyalty to Christ causes the greatest division, making a man’s foes “they of his own household” (v. 36).
- How to handle the persecution? We must manage the persecution with six crucial responses:
- Be Wise (v. 16): Be “wise as serpents.” This calls for prudence and strategic thinking. We must be keen-minded and cautious, using great skill to avoid unnecessary danger and not creating conflict where discretion is needed, so we can maximize the opportunity to preach.
- Be Harmless (v. 16): Be “innocent as doves.” This demands purity and innocence of character. We must never compromise the truth or use manipulative or revengeful methods, even when fiercely opposed. Our purity ensures that if we are caught, it is for the sake of the truth, not our own foolishness or guile.
- Be Watchful (v. 17): “Be on your guard.” We must be alert, watchful, and discerning, knowing the evil intentions that lurk in the hearts of men. We must avoid falling into traps or giving our enemies a valid charge against us, ensuring that any suffering we face is truly for Christ’s name.
- Do Not Worry (v. 19-20): “be not anxious how or what ye shall speak.” When facing traumatic persecution, we must be calm. The reason for this command is the promise of divine help: “it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” This reliance on the Holy Spirit turns the trial into a powerful, God-given testimony.
- Stand Firm to the End (v. 22): “the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” We must accept universal hatred and persevere through it. Endurance is the proof of genuine saving faith and is required to secure the final, eternal salvation and reward.
- Flee When Necessary (v. 23): “When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.” This is strategic continuity. The goal is not premature martyrdom, but to keep the mission alive. We must move to unevangelized areas with urgency, knowing that we must hasten the gospel work before the “coming of the Son of Man” in judgment.
Do Not Worry About Your Defense
Jesus said: “When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak. For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you” (vv. 19-20).
This is a great comfort and a blessing. The Lord says, “Don’t worry at that time when you don’t have time to prepare.” The disciples just needed to relax and stay calm. Jesus gave the reason for not being anxious: the Spirit of God will bring to your mind the right things to say.
Verse 20 explicitly states, “It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” This was a promise of verbal inspiration for the apostles in their defense. The Holy Spirit would enliven and sharpen their minds and tongues to a higher plane, bringing to remembrance and clarity what they needed to utter. This was wonderfully fulfilled, as seen when Peter and John spoke before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-12), shocking the authorities with their wisdom.
Contextual Application: This specific promise is often abused by those who use it as an excuse for laziness in sermon or lesson preparation. This text is not an excuse for a lack of systematic study or labor in ministry. This promise speaks of a very specific, hostile circumstance—being suddenly brought before governing authorities for one’s faith—where ordinary preparation is impossible. For us today, while we aren’t promised apostolic inspiration, this passage ensures enlightenment and recall. When we are legitimately forced into a crisis situation, the Lord promises not to abandon us, and the Holy Spirit will bring to mind the truths we know, giving us the clarity needed to testify. As Paul said: “…The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me…” (2 Timothy 4:17).
3. Persevere/Endure to the End
Jesus warns, “You shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake, but he that endures to the end shall be saved” (v. 22).
This is not teaching that endurance earns salvation. Rather, endurance is the hallmark of genuine salvation. Those who are truly saved will survive the trials. This is the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. The persecution doesn’t save us; it demonstrates and refines a saving faith that was already there. When persecution comes, the phonies fall away because it’s not worth the price, making persecution a purifying agent for the church.
The mission is a lifetime endeavor. We can never escape it. Whether religion, government, or family comes against us, we must continue this work. We are never to “fold the tent.” The courage of the first apostles, reformers like John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and Martin Luther, and countless missionaries throughout history, modeled this Christian endurance.
By enduring to the end, we prove the validity of our salvation. As the writer of Hebrews says, “We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).
4. Flee to Another City
The sixth response is a practical instruction: “When they persecute you in this city, flee into another; for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come” (v. 23).
This is common sense and discernment. Jesus does not command His followers to stay in one place until they are killed, wasting their gifting when other towns are crying for help. There is no sense in standing around taking harassment until someone kills you. This is not giving up preaching; it is persevering in the Gospel by relocating. If you are hindered in one place, leave that place, shake the dust off your feet (vv. 14-15), and continue proclaiming the Gospel in other places.
Fleeing persecution is not cowardice but a strategic move that has historically advanced the Gospel. It’s how the Gospel spread out of Jerusalem after the great persecution (Acts 8:1, 4). The Apostle Paul repeatedly followed this pattern, moving on when riots and hostility broke out. When we are legitimately forced to flee from one field of service, it is so that we may enter another. This is to the loss of those who persecute us, but to the blessing of those to whom they inadvertently send us. Persecution cannot ultimately stop the spread of the Gospel.
The Meaning of “Till the Son of Man Comes”
The most debated part of verse 23 is the phrase, “till the Son of Man be come.” This is not a reference to Christ’s general Second Coming, nor is it a sign that Christ was mistaken about the timing of His return.
The most widely accepted and strongly argued interpretation is that Christ is referring to His coming in judgment upon the nation of Israel, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 by the Romans. This event is commonly referred to in the Bible as a “coming” of the Lord to judge a rebellious nation (e.g., Isaiah 13:2-5).
Several factors support this view:
- Divine Punishment as a “Coming”: The Bible often depicts divine, providential punishments as an invasion or a “coming” of the Lord (Revelation 2:5, 16).
- The Urgency Factor: The command to flee from city to city makes sense in view of the rapidly approaching destruction upon the hateful nation of Israel. Even with their haste, Christ predicted they wouldn’t reach every city before the Roman judgment descended.
- Contextual Parallel: Luke 21 provides a clear parallel, showing the disciples were warned about armies surrounding Jerusalem (the Romans) and its subsequent desolation, which is undeniably the event of A.D. 70.
The phrase assures the disciples that they must stay at the work of spreading the Gospel until the point of this great judgment. Regardless of the exact timing, the purpose is clear: perseverance in the mission is required until the Lord brings a final close to a specific era or judgment.
Conclusion: The Sum of the Lord’s Instruction
The apostles changed the world by taking the calling seriously, being faithful, and preaching. When persecution came, they were:
- Wise as Serpents
- Harmless as Doves (The initial prompt includes being harmless)
- On Guard (The initial prompt includes being on guard/beware)
- Not Anxious about their defense (God provides the words)
- Perseverant (Enduring to the end)
- Strategic (Fleeing to the next city when necessary)
We have this same calling. We must mature in Christ and become His laborers. We go out as sheep among wolves, but our Shepherd is sending us. He will come with us; if anyone touches us, it is like touching the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). No matter what Satan does, even to death, He can’t win with God’s sheep.
Our commission ensures that even persecution serves a divine purpose: it acts as “a testimony to them and to the Gentiles” (v. 18). When the world tries to shut our mouths with persecution, the Gospel will be heard more loudly through our testimony. We must preach the true Gospel and persevere in it, never folding our tent or giving up, for our continued zeal and endurance are the proof of our genuine faith.
Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore 