Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:17

What does Matthew 10:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:17 means

Jesus continues His warnings, urging His disciples to "beware of men." He then outlines specific forms of persecution: being "delivered up to councils" (local Jewish courts) and scourged "in their synagogues." This foreshadows the imminent conflicts within Judaism, where the religious establishment would oppose the message of Christ. This warning prepares the disciples for internal opposition from their own people, indicating that their message would not be universally welcomed, even within the religious structures they knew. It reveals the cost of allegiance to Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But be on the watch against men: for they will give you up to the Sanhedrins, and in their Synagogues they will give you blows;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And, take ye heed of men, for they will give you up to sanhedrims, and in their synagogues they will scourge you,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

Building on the general warning of being like sheep among wolves, this verse details specific threats and forms of persecution the disciples will face. It immediately precedes further escalation of these dangers to even higher authorities, providing a stepping stone from local religious opposition to broader political and governmental trials, underscoring the severity of their call.

v.16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

v.17This passage

v.18yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 5:26

    Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

  • Acts 17:14

    And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.

  • Matthew 5:22

    but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

  • Matthew 23:34

    Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city:

  • John 11:47

    The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.

  • Acts 14:5

    And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,

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