Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:23

What does Matthew 10:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:23 means

In the face of relentless persecution, Jesus provides a practical instruction: "But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next." This is not a command to be a coward, but a strategic directive to preserve life and extend ministry, using wisdom to continue proclaiming the Gospel. The disciples were not to invite martyrdom unnecessarily. The verse concludes with a cryptic promise: "for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come." This points to the swiftness of their mission and perhaps to Jesus' return in judgment or the coming of the Holy Spirit, which initiated a new phase of the kingdom.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But when they are cruel to you in one town, go in flight to another: for truly, I say to you, You will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And whenever they may persecute you in this city, flee to the other, for verily I say to you, ye may not have completed the cities of Israel till the Son of Man may come.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But when they persecute you in this city, flee to the other; for verily I say to you, Ye shall not have completed the cities of Israel until the Son of man be come.

Context

This verse offers practical guidance for navigating the widespread hatred and persecution described in the previous verse. It provides a strategic response to active opposition. It then transitions to a statement about the timing of their mission in Israel and the coming of the Son of Man, which then leads into a deeper theological explanation of why disciples should expect suffering, aligning with their Lord's experience.

v.22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

v.23This passage

v.24A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 16:28

    Verily I say unto you, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

  • Matthew 2:13

    Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

  • Acts 9:24

    but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:

  • John 10:39

    They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.

  • Matthew 12:14

    But the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

  • Luke 21:27

    And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

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