Matthew 10:17
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Original Language Analysis
προσέχετε
beware
G4337
προσέχετε
beware
Strong's:
G4337
Word #:
1 of 17
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδώσουσιν
they will deliver
G3860
παραδώσουσιν
they will deliver
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
6 of 17
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
συνέδρια
the councils
G4892
συνέδρια
the councils
Strong's:
G4892
Word #:
10 of 17
a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγαῖς
synagogues
G4864
συναγωγαῖς
synagogues
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
14 of 17
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Mark 13:9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.Matthew 23:34Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:Acts 26:11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.Matthew 5:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.John 16:2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.Luke 12:11And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:Acts 22:19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:Micah 7:5Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
Historical Context
Jewish councils (Sanhedrin at Jerusalem, local councils elsewhere) handled religious and civil matters. Synagogue discipline included excommunication and corporal punishment. Deuteronomy 25:1-3 limited flogging to forty lashes; Jewish practice reduced to thirty-nine as safety margin. Paul received this punishment five times (2 Corinthians 11:24). Jesus Himself faced religious trial before Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:59). Early church's primary persecution came from Jewish authorities before Roman persecution intensified. Jesus' prediction proved accurate: Acts chronicles repeated synagogue opposition.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does religious opposition often prove fiercer than secular persecution?
- How should Christians prepare mentally and spiritually for potential persecution?
- What does Jesus' warning teach about counting the cost of discipleship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus warns of persecution: 'beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues' (προσεχετε δε απο των ανθρωπων παραδωσουσιν γαρ υμας εις συνεδρια και εν ταις συναγωγαις αυτων μαστιγωσουσιν υμας). 'Beware' (προσεχετε) means be alert, watchful, cautious. 'Councils' (συνεδρια) were local Jewish courts administering justice and discipline. 'Scourge' (μαστιγωσουσιν) was brutal punishment: thirty-nine lashes with leather whips. That this happens 'in their synagogues'—houses of worship—reveals religious opposition's intensity. Persecution comes not from secular authorities but religious leaders. This pattern continues: Stephen stoned by Sanhedrin, Paul beaten in synagogues, early Christians expelled from Jewish communities. Jesus prepares disciples for costly discipleship—following Him means suffering.