Commentators unanimously agree that Jesus's primary purpose in warning the disciples about future persecution was to prepare them, not to frighten them. By foretelling the hardships, He armed them against the shock and despair that could cause their faith to fail. As Charles Spurgeon and John Gill note, this foreknowledge was a tender act of care to prevent them from being 'offended' or 'caused to stumble' when trials inevitably came.