Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 10:17-18

"But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in theirs synagogues they will scourge you; yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." — Matthew 10:17-18 (ASV)

Beware of men. Do not rely on them or regard them as fellow helpers in setting up the kingdom of heaven, nor attempt to soften your testimony to suit their taste. Do not seek their approval or place any great value on their favor.

They will not shelter you, but deliver you up. They will not arrange for your entertainment, but for your accusation before councils. They will not load you with decorations, but lash you with scourges in their places of public assembly.

Thus, Israelites would treat Israelites. The cruelty described by the words, scourge you in their synagogues, must surely have been a refinement of malice, yet with some men persecution is a part of religion.

The malice of the Jews would call for the interference of Gentile magistrates and monarchs. These, too, would become persecutors, and before their tribunals, saints would have to plead for their lives. But since this would be for Christ’s sake, they would thus be enabled to bear witness for their Lord and against His foes. Only in this way would heathen governors and kings be likely to hear their testimony, and therefore, they were to welcome the summons to appear before earthly rulers.

Our attitude must be one of caution towards men. We must not commit ourselves to them, nor rely on their patronage, but at the same time, we must make use of every opportunity to testify for our Lord before them. Our Protector and Lord is in heaven.

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Do not try to live on popular applause, but beware of men. Expect ill treatment from them; if they can persecute you with the scourge, they will do so, but if that is out of their power, they will persecute you with their tongues. You will be misunderstood, misrepresented, maligned; expect such treatment, for I, your Lord and Master, have had it before you.