John Calvin Commentary Matthew 10:17

"But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in theirs synagogues they will scourge you;" — Matthew 10:17 (ASV)

But beware of men. Erasmus has inserted the word these, (beware of these men,) supposing that the article functions as a demonstrative pronoun.⁵⁸⁴ In my opinion, however, it is better to view it as indefinite. It conveys Christ's declaration that caution should be exercised in dealing with men, among whom everything is full of snares and injuries.

But Christ appears to contradict Himself, for the best way to exercise caution would have been to remain at home and not venture out in public. I reply that He points out a different sort of caution here, — not the terror and alarm that would keep them from fulfilling their duty, but a fear of being excessively distressed by sudden calamities. We know that those who are surprised by unexpected afflictions are prone to collapse.

Christ, therefore, desired His disciples to foresee from afar what would happen, so that their minds might be prepared early for engaging in conflict. In short, He sounds the trumpet for them, so that they may quickly prepare for battle. For just as foresight, when excessive or accompanied by unnecessary anxiety, weakens many, so also many are lulled by a lazy sense of security and, rushing on heedlessly, falter at the critical moment.

For they will deliver you up to councils. It can readily be inferred from these words that the struggles about which Christ forewarns the apostles must not be limited to the first journey, during which they encountered nothing of this kind. The object of this prediction is to prevent them from ever being cast down.

For it was no small achievement for poor and despised men, when they came into the presence of princes, to maintain composure and to remain unmoved by any worldly splendor. He also warns them that they will be called to fight not only in Judea but also in more distant places. He does this not merely to prepare them for that warfare through long meditation, but so that, as instructed and experienced leaders, they might not hesitate to submit themselves to heavenly guidance.

For a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. This means that God's will must be proclaimed even to foreign princes and distant nations, so that they may be without excuse. Therefore, it follows that the apostles' labor will not be lost, for it will vindicate God's judgment when men are convicted of their obstinacy.

⁵⁸⁴ “Erasme a traduit, De ces hornroes: pource qu'il luy a sembl, que l'article Grec qul est mis avec le nora denotoit quelques certains hommes.” — “Erasmus translated it, .” — “Erasmus translated it, Of these men: because he thought that theGreek article, which is joined to the noun, denoted some particular men.” —Προσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων literally means because he thought that theGreek article, which is joined to the noun, denoted some particular men.” —Προσέχετε δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων literally means but beware of THE men In Calvin's native tongue, In Calvin's native tongue, les hommes denotes denotes men in general, and in expressing the idea of and in expressing the idea of the men, it became necessary to substitute , it became necessary to substitute ces for for les, in order to avoid the circumlocution of in order to avoid the circumlocution of les hommes, dont il s'agit But it would be proper to show cause why οἱ ἄνθρωποι should be here viewed as equivalent to πάντες ἄνθρωποι. Erasmus, writing in Latin, has supplied a defect of that language by almost the only means which he had in his power, the use of a demonstrative pronoun as a substitute for the definite article. “ But it would be proper to show cause why οἱ ἄνθρωποι should be here viewed as equivalent to πάντες ἄνθρωποι. Erasmus, writing in Latin, has supplied a defect of that language by almost the only means which he had in his power, the use of a demonstrative pronoun as a substitute for the definite article. “Cavete ab illis hominibus,” naturally interpreting τῶν ἀνθρώπων, as referring to the men who had just been described to the disciples as ,” naturally interpreting τῶν ἀνθρώπων, as referring to the men who had just been described to the disciples as wolves, and in their intercourse with whom the utmost caution would be indispensable. — and in their intercourse with whom the utmost caution would be indispensable. — Ed.